Pampering in a Premium SUV
Lincoln knows how to build an elegant SUV that pampers its occupants. With the third generation Nautilus now coming in a hybrid variant, you can add fuel efficiency for long comfortable road trips.
Lincoln has made the full transition to only offering SUVs, ceasing production of the stalwart Town Car executive sedan. The Lincoln SUV line-up—(smallest to largest, Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator and Navigator—now carries the premium flag for the Ford Motor Company. Our time in the midsize 2024 Nautilus Black Label AWD Hybrid was a smooth and quiet experience, with a lush ride and all the features expected in an $80,000+ vehicle.
Squeezing Out That Extra Mile
All-new for 2024, the Nautilus comes with two engine choices—a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline, and the one Clean Fleet Report tested, a hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder that puts out 310 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid delivers an EPA estimated of 30 mpg city/31 highway/30 combined. For comparison, the non-hybrid gets 21/29/24. In 334 miles driving around Southern California we averaged 31.6 mpg, but over a 110-mile all-freeway run that average bumped-up a bit to 32.2 mpg.
Both numbers are good for a 4,517-pound, all-wheel drive SUV. The hybrid gets the nod if you are looking for the best efficiency. Fuel economy numbers reported by Clean Fleet Report are non-scientific and represent the reviewer’s driving experience using the dash gauge computer. Your numbers may differ.
Hitting the Road
Running on 87 octane, all four wheels are driven through a continuously variable transmission (CVT). To maximize performance and efficiency, there are driver selectable drive modes that present several options for tailored driving. If you want extra oomph, select the Excite mode and expect 0-60 mph times of 6.6 seconds. Normal mode is for around town, Conserve when on long stretches of open highway for maximum efficiency, and Slippery and Snow/Sand are self-explanatory.
The Nautilus Hybrid has good all-wheel grip with Goodyear Eagle Touring 255/45 all-season tires mounted on 22-inch wheels. The variable assist steering was light when turning at slow speeds, but heavier on the highway and for more aggressive cornering. While some SUVs have numb steering that reduce road feel, this was not the case here as there never was a time or situation where we felt disconnected from the tires and the road. That included feeling planted around moderate speed sweeping turns.
While not designed nor marketed as a sports SUV, the handling was solid and confident with torque vectoring control and an adaptive suspension system that adjusts the vehicle’s ride height and damping character based on road conditions.
Exterior Elegance
The Nautilus Hybrid takes design cues from the now discontinued Lincoln Continental by paying tribute with the signature Lincoln grille. The elegant blacked-out grille has a slim light bar connecting the illuminated Lincoln Star emblem. The smooth front end, with no unneeded scoops, has wide-set jeweled matrix LED headlamps that have a digital progressive signature when walking-up and walking-away.
There is a character line, running front to back, on the smooth sides where very tasteful brightwork separates the door tops from the roof. The distinctive protruding electronic door handles are body color as are the auto-folding heated side mirrors.
Our Nautilus Hybrid Black Label had the Jet Appearance Package ($3,000) that included black exterior elements on the grille, door pillars, roof-rack side rails, lower cladding, belt line molding and a rear bumper insert. Wheel lip moldings and the front bumper in the body color, along with the 22-inch Satin Dark with Satin Chrome wheels, complete the package.
The illuminated Lincoln lettering and the LED tail lights with progressive turn signals, on the power hands-free lift gate, are connected by a narrow LED strip that are part of the approach and farewell lighting elements. We particularly like how the rear wiper and washer are tucked away cleanly under the roof visor.
The Nautilus comes in eight exterior colors, that are all available in metallic, including White Platinum, Red Carpet, Silver Radiance, Diamond Red, Lustrous Gray, Infinite Black, Chroma Caviar Dark Gray and Blue Panther which was the color of our test Nautilus.
Premium Interior
The Black Label trim has a choice of two interior themes, Redwood and Chalet, with the latter what we drove. The premium-leaning-towards-luxury interior features piano black and brushed aluminum trim. Leather is just about everywhere. Our Black Label had Alpine Venetian leather on the seats with a cashmere headliner.
The first and most obvious feature, that may at first glance intimidate some people, is the 48-inch horizontal screen at the top of the low profile dash that stretches door-to-door. Then, there is a separate 11.1-inch fully digital center stack touchscreen. Lincoln chose to not include a head-up display as the 48-inch horizontal screen has all the information a HUD would provide.
The 48-inch panoramic screen has four selectable themes—Constellation, Engage, Inspire, and Tranquil—that can be changed in Vehicle Settings on the touchscreen.
The large screen includes an area for the vehicle functions such as the speedometer, fuel level, safety systems and navigation map. Then, it has an entertainment section displaying what you are listening to and an area that can be custom-configured to show such information as the time, weather and fuel efficiency. Lincoln realized these screen have a lot going on, so they included a function to calm the screen so everything goes away except for the vehicle function screen directly before the driver.
The 11.1-inch touchscreen, with swipe and zoom, was home to the AM/FM HD radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM and the 28-speaker Revel audio system with a subwoofer. It sounded great inside the premium cabin.
All of the infotainment and communication goes through the Sync 3 system. Lincoln Connect offers convenience features such as remotely locking and unlocking the doors, and starting the engine. The 4G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot can accommodate up to 10 devices, as far as 50-feet away.
I liked the layout as it provided a wide choice of settings and information. For many people the screens alone will be a reason they opt for the Nautilus.
Just For Fun
Lincoln has loaded the Nautilus with features that are just for fun, so your state-of-mind will be relaxed, calm and at peace.
The seven-color ambient lighting fills the doors panels, cup holders and footwells. The colors and their intensity are set in the center console touchscreen.
For more fun, the Lincoln Symphonic Chimes were created in conjunction with the Detroit Symphony. These six soothing and unique chimes are a blend of percussion, violin and viola. The symphonic notes are heard on multiple features in the vehicle and provide three levels of informational chimes—non-critical, soft-warning and hard-warning—that inform drivers of everything from an open fuel door to an unlatched seat belt. Introduced on the 2019 Lincoln Aviator, the chimes are now found on all Lincoln models.
How about some more fun? Lincoln says the Digital Scent “creates an aromatic sanctuary for peacefulness and serenity.” Each Nautilus comes with three changeable scent cartridges—Mystic Forest, Ozonic Azure and Violet Cashmere. The driver can control their intensity, or turn them off, through the touchscreen. New aromas are coming soon, so stay tuned!
Lastly (will the fun never end?), coming soon, Lincoln wants the driver to have a relaxing and invigorating environment at the end of a long, hard day. The Rejuvenation feature will be available as a software update. When downloaded and you are parked in your driveway or garage, go to the Apps in the main touchscreen and select Rejuvenate. The 48-inch display begins showing an Aurora Borealis video, then select the 5 Minute Experience. The steering wheel automatically moves up and away, the seat will recline and massage will begin, and serene music will softly play through the Revel sound system. One of the three scents will fill the cabin. The first few minutes is the Relax mode that morphs into Invigorate where the seat returns to a more upright position and the video on the screen changes. You are now relaxed from your hectic day and ready to have a wonderful evening.
Seating
Seating comfort was excellent with heated and ventilated power front seats that offer multiple settings, including lumbar, massage and memory. Controlled by switches on the front doors or through the touchscreen, we were impressed with the ability to maneuver the driver seat to any desired position. Here is more on Lincoln’s Perfect Position seats.
The second-row passengers will appreciate the impressive 43.1-inches of leg room, with head and shoulder room also very good. The fold down center armrest has cup holders to join the rear ventilation vents, power ports in the center console and outboard heated seats. Cargo space with the rear seat upright is 35.2 cubic-feet, but dropping the 60:40 power folding rear seat opens up 68.8 cubic-inches of cargo space.
Eyes-On-The-Road
In the interest of keeping the driver’s eyes on the road, Clean Fleet Report was glad to see physical volume and channel selection controls for the radio on the center console. We also appreciated redundant controls on the heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel to operate the telephone, radio and voice activation functions.
The Vision Steering Wheel was designed with driver safety in mind. Its descrption says it “provides the ultimate ease of use and customization.” The steering wheel is oval with a flat top and bottom, making it possible to see the low-slung 48-inch screen. We took a few minutes to learn the button layout as Lincoln’s “vision” has a different layout from other steering wheel controls we see.
Convenience and Safety
Interior convenience features include the scents, a rear view camera, auto dim rearview mirror, wireless phone charger, dual zone automatic climate control with the air vent operation set in the touchscreen, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a power tilt and telescoping steering column with memory, height adjustable front seatbelts and a compact spare tire.
Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 driver-assist technology is standard, including blind spot with cross traffic alert, lane keep alert and assist, pre-collision assist with automatic braking, rear pedestrian detection, forward collision warning and a post-crash alert system. Additional standard safety features include front, knee, side, and side curtain airbags, an anti-theft engine immobilizer, a tire pressure monitoring system, and front and rear parking sensors.
The Nautilus Hybrid also has Lincoln Blue Cruise, the Ford hands-free driving system. Used in conjunction with the adaptive cruise control, drivers can remove their hands from the wheel on more than 130,000 miles of North American roads.
The 2024 Nautilus has not been safety rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it earned a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
Pricing
The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid comes in three trim options. These base prices include the $1,395 destination and delivery fee.
- Premiere – $51,810
- Reserve – $56,145
- Black Label – $75,645
The 2024 Nautilus Hybrid Black Label Clean Fleet Report drove had a total price of $80,895 that included the $1,395 destination and delivery fee and $5,250 in options.
Warranties
The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid comes with these warranties.
- Powertrain – Six years/70,000 miles
- Basic – Four years/50,000 miles
- Hybrid System – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Corrosion Perforation – Five years/Unlimited Miles
- Roadside Assistance – Six years/Unlimited Miles
- Scheduled Maintenance – Four years/50,000 miles *Pickup/Delivery Service Included*
Observations: 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid Black Label
Lincoln wants owners of the 2024 Nautilus Hybrid to have a “full sensory experience” through innovative technology to pamper your body, nose, eyes and ears. Will you use them all? We know for a fact you will at some point. If you suffer through major city traffic, following Cosmo Kramer’s mantra of “serenity now” will become yours too.
Gimmicks or trendy designs would be far from in-step with the Lincoln philosophy that puts technology, style and class over flash and glam. In 2007, Lincoln introduced the midsize MKX crossover, which became one of their best sellers. In 2019, Lincoln renamed the MKX as Nautilus, and along with the new name came a completely new vehicle.
Lincoln isn’t standing still, as the Nautilus Hybrid is all-new for 2024. That makes an already nice premium SUV even better with 30+ mpg fuel economy. Lincoln also makes the Corsair Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) that Clean Fleet Report was really impressed with too.
The importance to Lincoln of the Nautilus is clear (it is the best-selling vehicle in the Lincoln line-up). With electrification coming on strong, adding the hybrid makes sense. Built in Hangzhou, China, the fit and finish are top notch. Want to travel in style and luxury, visit your local Lincoln dealer and get to know the Nautilus Hybrid.
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Story and photos by John Faulkner.
Disclosure
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.
