The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Is as Luxe as It Needs to Be

The Lincoln Nautilus is an underappreciated contender in the luxury midsize SUV market, part of a brand that seems tired, itself part of an automaker that seems perpetually distracted, itself part of an automotive ecosystem that is awash in luxury midsize SUVs from very, very tough competitors. And yet: The second-generation Lincoln Nautilus is excellent, a leap forward for Lincoln and a demand for attention among the crowd.

It is as comfortable as a Mercedes GLE, as fuel-efficient as many compact cars, and priced in between both, starting at $53,940. The Nautilus example that Lincoln recently loaned me for a week is priced higher than that, coming in at $71,215 with options included, but even at that money, it represents somewhat of a deal for a segment in which prices often approach, and even go well beyond, $100,000.

What’s New for 2025

The 2025 Lincoln Nautilus is actually new for 2024, when Lincoln introduced the second generation of the SUV and radically spiffed it up. The front-dash-spanning 48-inch screen is the headline feature, and, inside the car, almost the eyeline feature, but not a distracting one, despite its width. A separate 11.1-inch display is closer to the driver and the passenger, and used to control most of the car’s features, including, most commonly, navigation, which is powered by Google. (For users of Google Maps who are already familiar with the software, this will come as some relief, as opposed to having to learn yet another bespoke nav system.) Elsewhere, the interior feels a bit more luxe in general, with almost everything covered in something soft.

Under the hood, the base model Nautilus has the same 250 hp four-cylinder engine as the last first-generation versions of the model, though the second-generation Nautilus swaps a twin-turbo V-6 engine in the more expensive trims for hybrid power, in this case a total of 310 hp with the help of electric motors. The added electric power feels seamless and much smoother than the gas engine; turning the car on and beginning to move is a silent operation.

Design

What Lincoln equipped on the Nautilus loaned to me was a standard list of luxury options, coupled with some more uncommon ones. The $10,205 options on the Nautilus Reserve included an upgraded speaker package, heated rear seats, a hands-free liftgate, “digital scents” that collaborate with the seats, and, most eye-catchingly, a huge front display. That display provides basic info like the time, radio, weather, and speed while managing to remain both inconspicuous and beautiful.

The vehicle’s exterior color was Red Carpet Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, and the $3,000 Jet Appearance Package added 22-inch Satin Dark Luster Nickel Wheels and various sportier elements of the exterior to make it appear more athletic, even though it’s a Lincoln midsize SUV.

Standard options on the Nautilus Reserve include a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and suspension, lane-keeping assist, a push start, and a wireless charging pad. The Monroney sticker indicated that BlueCruise, Ford’s “hands-free” highway driving system that is Level 2 autonomous, is free and included for four years.

Power Train and Performance

In total, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price for the car was $72,810, and it gets an EPA-estimated 30 mpg combined, including 30 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg in highway driving, which is impressive for a vehicle weighing more than 4,500 pounds.

The steering wheel of the Nautilus is a rounded square situation and smaller than normal, but plusher too. The seats, which can blow air, heat, massage, and change shape in seemingly limitless ways, feel like an old glove. The ride itself is quiet, and bumps in the Normal drive mode pose no hazards, either for the driver or passengers.

The Excite drive mode is a rougher ride, though it’s hard to imagine many owners using it often, since the point of the Nautilus is the opposite, or relaxation. Moreover, the four-cylinder engine on the base model is underpowered compared to its rivals, making just 250 hp, with the base BMW X5, to take one example, making 375 hp. The model I reviewed is the hybrid setup, which makes 310 hp, which sounds like a minor step-up if not for the electric motors. The power is definitely sufficient for overtaking, but it’s not overwhelming or impressive.

If all you plan to do is let BlueCruise do most of the work anyway, you’ll barely notice. That system lives up to its hands-free name on many controlled-access highways (interstates), and is one of the smoothest semi-autonomous systems on the market.

Is It Worth It?

The Nautilus has final assembly at Changan Hangzhou Assembly Plant in Hangzhou, China, a decision that was made before President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on much of the world, including China. On that front, Lincoln has said it is so far unperturbed, in part because Lincoln sells thousands and thousands of Nautiluses in China, too.

You would have no reason to think the Nautilus is made in China, either, unless you went looking. It is distinctly American luxury, and it measures itself primarily against the Cadillac XT5, in addition to premium cars like the Volvo XC90. The Nautilus would like to be included in the conversation with the Audi Q8, Genesis GV80, BMW X5, Mercedes GLE, Porsche Cayenne, and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, among its overseas counterparts.

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The good news is that not only does it belong in that group, but it also surpasses many of them.

Click here for more photos of the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus.