2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reviews, Pricing & Specs

First introduced in 2019, the Lincoln Nautilus replaced the midsize MKX crossover. The Nautilus, which goes into its second year without...

First introduced in 2019, the Lincoln Nautilus replaced the midsize MKX crossover. The Nautilus, which goes into its second year without any changes, faces a tough battle against luxury midsize and 2-row crossovers such as the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, and Cadillac XT5.

The exterior design of the Nautilus makes it stand out with an elegant profile accentuated by slim lighting and sweeping lines. The top-end Black Label features a 21-inch wheel design that’s truly luxurious.

The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, good for 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 with 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque is available. Both come with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All four trims also offer standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The highest EPA ratings are about in line with class expectations, coming in at 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined.

Several trim levels are available: Base, Reserve, and Black Label. While the overall design is pleasant, the lower trim levels cut corners with some lower-grade materials. Reserve adds leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. Black Label provides upgraded leather upholstery and exclusive trims and colors.

Lincoln uses Ford’s popular SYNC 3 infotainment system, which is one of the easiest to learn and use on the market. An 8-inch touchscreen display comes standard along with an 11-speaker stereo, Bluetooth, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a WiFi hot spot. The Reserve trim adds navigation, wireless device charging, a 13-speaker Revel audio system, and HD Radio. The top-end Black Label gets a 19-speaker Revel system.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus received a 5-star overall crash test rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Standard safety features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Add the Driver Assistance package for adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist.

The Nautilus is worth a look if you’re shopping in this class. Lincoln is on a bold path forward, and it’s worth watching to see what happens.