Pampering in a Premium SUV
The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label AWD Hybrid pampers the occupants, in-town or on fuel-efficient long, comfortable road trips. The Lincoln SUV line-up carries the premium flag for the Ford Motor Company, including, largest to smallest, Navigator, Aviator and Nautilus. Our time in the 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
The Nautilus comes with two engine choices—a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine, and the one Clean Fleet Report tested, a hybrid turbocharged 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder that puts out 310 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid delivers an EPA-estimated of 29 mpg city/31 highway and 30 combined. In 252 miles driving around Southern California, we averaged 30.6 mpg. For comparison, the non-hybrid gets 21/29/24.
Both numbers are good for a 4,517-pound all-wheel drive SUV, but 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
The hybrid runs on 87 octane with all four wheels driven through an electric continuously variable transmission (eCVT). To maximize performance and efficiency, the selectable drive modes 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 while 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. While the steering was bit numb, which reduced the road feel, there never was time or situation where we felt disconnected from the tires and the road. It could get mushy during harder cornering, but overall it felt planted around moderate speed sweeping turns.
While not designed nor marketed as a sports SUV, handling was acceptable. The adaptive suspension system adjusts the vehicle’s ride height and damping character based on road conditions. It did a good job smoothing-out a pothole or speed bump impact. On rough roads the ride and handling changed to feeling the imperfections.
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.
The smooth sides have a character line running front to back. There is very tasteful brightwork separating the door tops from the black painted roof, where there was a panoramic vista sunroof, roof rails and a shark fin antenna. 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 ($3,500) that included black exterior elements on the kidney grille, door pillars, roof-rack side rails, lower cladding, belt line molding and the front and rear fascia.
The illuminated Lincoln lettering and the LED tail lights on the power hands-free lift gate are connected by a narrow LED strip that is 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. Classy!
The Nautilus comes in seven exterior metallic colors with either a clear coat or Tri-Coat finish. Colors include White Platinum, Red Carpet, Silver Radiance, Infinite Black, Chroma Caviar Dark Gray, Whisper Blue and Gray Matter ($750), which was the color of our test Nautilus Hybrid.
Premium Interior
The first and most obvious inside feature that may at first glance intimidate some people is the 48-inch horizontal screen, stretching 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 displayed at close to eye level.
The panoramic screen has four selectable themes (Constellation, Engage, Inspire and Tranquil) that can be changed in the Vehicle Settings of the touchscreen.
The left third of the large screen is an area for the vehicle functions such as the speedometer, fuel level, safety systems and navigation map. The remaining section displays apps and vehicle controls as well as the entertainment sources. The complete screen can be customized for split-screen functionality. 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.
Lincoln Connect offers convenience features such as remotely locking and unlocking the doors, and starting the engine, plus a 5G modem and the 4G LTE Wi-Fi hot spot.
The touchscreen, with swipe and zoom, was home to the 28-speaker Revel audio system, which includes a subwoofer, for AM/FM HD radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and SiriusXM. It sounded great inside the premium cabin. The layout had a getting used to period since it provided a wide choice of settings and information, but it was time well-spent sitting in my driveway going through the system.
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 . Those 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.
Need more fun? Lincoln says the Digital Scent “creates an aromatic sanctuary for peacefulness and serenity.” Each Nautilus comes with changeable scent cartridges of Mystic Forest, Ozonic Azure and Violet Cashmere. The driver controls their intensity, or can turn them off, through the touchscreen.
Lastly, Lincoln wants the driver to have a relaxing and invigorating environment at the end of a long, hard day. Rejuvenate is accessed through the apps in the main touchscreen. The 48-inch display begins showing a relaxing, peaceful video once you have selected one of the themes (Waterfall Meditation, Aurora Borealis, Elements, Forest Meditation or Tropical Paradise).
Next select the 5- or 10-minute Experience and the heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel automatically moves up and away, the seat will recline and massage will begin while serene music softly plays through the Revel sound system. One of the selected scents will fill the cabin. The Experience begins with a 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 ample head and shoulder room. The fold-down center armrest has cup holders to join the rear ventilation vents, power ports in the center console and outbound heated seats. Cargo space with the rear seat upright is 36.4 cubic-feet, but dropping the 60:40 power folding rear seat opens up 71.3 cubic-feet of cargo space.
Eyes-On-The-Road
Clean Fleet Report was glad to see physical volume and channel selection controls for the telephone, radio and voice activation functions. Touch controls also are on the on the center console and the steering wheel.
The Vision Steering Wheel was designed with driver safety in mind saying it “provides the ultimate ease of use and customization.” It took a few minutes to learn the button layout as Lincoln’s “vision” has a different layout from other steering wheel controls we see.
The steering wheel is oval (sometimes called squircle) with a flat top and bottom. This design does make it easier to see the low-slung 48-inch screen but the shape requires shuffling your hands when turning. We also found the steering wheel position was too low and raising it still didn’t position it to our liking.
Convenience and Safety
Interior convenience features include a 360º 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, 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 and includes 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, tire pressure monitoring system and front and rear parking sensors.
The Nautilus Black Label Hybrid also has Lincoln Blue Cruise, a 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 2026 Nautilus Hybrid earned a 5-of-5 safety rating by the NHTSA, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Pricing
The 2026 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid comes in three trim options. These base prices include the $1,595 destination and delivery fee.
| Premiere | $58,590 |
| Reserve | $68,190 |
| Black Label | $82,255 |
The 2026 Nautilus Hybrid Black Label AWD, Clean Fleet Report drove, had a total price of $85,875 that included the $1,595 destination and delivery fee and $6,400 in options.
Warranties
| Powertrain | Eight 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 | Four years/50,000 miles |
| Scheduled Maintenance | Four years/50,000 miles *Pickup/Delivery Service Included* |
Observations: 2026 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid Black Label AWD
Lincoln wants owners of the 2026 Nautilus Black Label 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.
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 that became one of their best sellers. In 2019 Lincoln renamed the MKX to Nautilus, and along with the new name came a completely new vehicle.
The importance of the Nautilus to Lincoln is clear as it is the best-selling vehicle in the company’s three-vehicle line-up. It competes with the Lexus RX 350h in a limited field of two-row hybrid SUVs. The Nautilus is built in Hangzhou, China, with impressive fit and finish. Want to travel in style and luxury, visit your local Lincoln dealer and get to know the Nautilus Black Label Hybrid AWD.
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Story and photos by John Faulkner.
