2019 Lincoln Nautilus

Base MSRP:  $39,035

Engine:  2.7 Liter Turbo V6

Horsepower // Torque:  335//380

0-60:  6 seconds

MPG:  18 overall

Text: Yousef Alvi // Photography: Alexander Grant

This is the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus.  In essence it is the mid cycle refresh of Lincoln’s most popular model the MKX.  Overall the Nautilus has a very daunting task in front of it.  It’s the torchbearer and it's positioned to take on such stalwarts as the Lexus RX.  Does it live up to such lofty ambitions?

Yes and no.  First and foremost Sync 3 wipes the floor compared to the Lexus Enform infotainment system.  I bring that up first because infotainment is the make or break portion of a new vehicle.  If the system is looks like crap with frustrating controls, it affects the entire driving experience overall. 

It’s all about overall vehicle tactile sensations.  The stuff you touch, interact and look at the most while driving, can cause us to love or hate whatever vehicle we are in.  Items like the infotainment system, climate controls and gauges are pivotal to get right.  If those items are lackluster then your overall perceived perception of the vehicle changes dramatically.  

Now on to the mechanics, the drivetrain of the Nautilus is familiar because it’s based on the Ford Edge.  So it comes with the glorious 2.7 liter turbo 6 producing 335 horsepower and 380 ft/lbs of torque that is paired to a 8 speed transmission.  This helps propel the Nautilus to 60 in about 6 seconds flat which makes it one of the faster vehicles in its class.  There is an abundance of torque available throughout the rev band and the AWD system delivers grip throughout corners and stoplights.  The Nautilus is not meant for outright speed or canyon carving though.  It’s the happiest just cruising along at the speed limit quietly and comfortably.  

Comfortably is the apt word here because the interior is sets this apart from it’s competitors..  Whereas its Edge brethren was merely okay on the inside, the Nautilus is downright luxurious.  The seats are covered in one of the softest leather I have ever experienced, the headliner is wrapped in suede and it’s supremely quiet at any given speed.

Now let’s talk about what sets this apart from it’s competition.  It’s the word ‘Luxury’.  All of the Nautilus competitors are chasing the idea of ‘Sport’. Everything looks ‘sporty’ and attempts to be ‘sporty’ but fails at both.  The Nautilus brushes ‘sporty’ aside and instead looks, feels and drives like what the segment calls for…a luxury midsize crossover.

So what do I think of the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?  It’s refreshing to see a luxury car maker actually try to be luxurious instead of injecting needless ‘sporty’ fillers.