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2024 Lincoln Nautilus First Drive Review: Aiming for the stars, albeit with minor gripes
2024 Lincoln Nautilus First Drive Review: Aiming for the stars, albeit with minor gripes
2024 Lincoln Nautilus First Drive Review: Aiming for the stars, albeit with minor gripes
Ramin Vandi
Ramin Vandi
March 14, 2024
March 14, 2024
Not long ago, Lincoln's future looked bleak, mirroring the fate of Oldsmobile and Mercury, plagued by odd styling, cheap interiors, and overt part-sharing with Ford. However, Lincoln's rebirth began with the revitalized Continental in 2017, followed by an improved Navigator. Now, after experiencing the all-new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus in Palm Springs, California, it's clear this model could be as celebrated as NASA’s moon landing.
The Nautilus's refined second-generation design speaks volumes in its understatement. Its rounded corners and subtle lines present a composed image, while the front sports a classy grille connected to narrow LED headlights by a distinctive horizontal bar, all underlined by elegant metallic accents.
The vehicle's profile enjoys a clean appearance thanks to concealed door handles integrated into the window frames, similar to the Continental. This design choice enhances the bodywork's smooth lines. The rear design borrows elements from premium brands like Audi or Porsche, yet maintains its unique Lincoln identity, only slightly marred by minor design critiques.
Inside, the Nautilus astonishes with its luxurious design, centered around a 48-inch curved panoramic display dominating the dashboard. This feature feels plucked from a high-end concept vehicle, offering an immersive experience unexpected in a production SUV, especially one starting in the low $50,000 range. The display merges traditional gauges with a heads-up display's functionality, offering customizable information tiles.
The minimalist steering wheel and intuitive capacitive touchpads contribute to the cabin's sleekness without compromising usability. The front seats, continuing Lincoln's tradition of comfort, offer 24-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and a profoundly effective massage function. The new Digital Scent technology further elevates the in-cabin experience, paralleling luxury features found in brands like Mercedes.
Despite a few minor hiccups, like potential reflections from the curved display and less convincing materials in some areas, the Nautilus's interior impresses. The 28-speaker Revel audio system, though a bit lacking in bass, and the rear seating area's ample legroom but limited headroom, prove the SUV's commitment to passenger comfort.
Driving the hybrid model of the Nautilus around Palm Springs revealed a vehicle adept at blending performance with efficiency. The combined 310 horsepower from the turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motor ensure smooth acceleration, with the hybrid variant offering better fuel economy and drivability over the standard engine. Despite not being designed for sporty handling, the Nautilus provides a compliant ride, even when equipped with large 22-inch wheels.
Concerns like overly sensitive brakes and some visibility issues do not detract significantly from the overall driving experience. Priced competitively against European rivals, the new Nautilus offers remarkable value. Even as production moves to China, Lincoln's newest SUV exemplifies the brand's upward trajectory, suggesting a bright future for Lincoln and the Nautilus alike.
Not long ago, Lincoln's future looked bleak, mirroring the fate of Oldsmobile and Mercury, plagued by odd styling, cheap interiors, and overt part-sharing with Ford. However, Lincoln's rebirth began with the revitalized Continental in 2017, followed by an improved Navigator. Now, after experiencing the all-new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus in Palm Springs, California, it's clear this model could be as celebrated as NASA’s moon landing.
The Nautilus's refined second-generation design speaks volumes in its understatement. Its rounded corners and subtle lines present a composed image, while the front sports a classy grille connected to narrow LED headlights by a distinctive horizontal bar, all underlined by elegant metallic accents.
The vehicle's profile enjoys a clean appearance thanks to concealed door handles integrated into the window frames, similar to the Continental. This design choice enhances the bodywork's smooth lines. The rear design borrows elements from premium brands like Audi or Porsche, yet maintains its unique Lincoln identity, only slightly marred by minor design critiques.
Inside, the Nautilus astonishes with its luxurious design, centered around a 48-inch curved panoramic display dominating the dashboard. This feature feels plucked from a high-end concept vehicle, offering an immersive experience unexpected in a production SUV, especially one starting in the low $50,000 range. The display merges traditional gauges with a heads-up display's functionality, offering customizable information tiles.
The minimalist steering wheel and intuitive capacitive touchpads contribute to the cabin's sleekness without compromising usability. The front seats, continuing Lincoln's tradition of comfort, offer 24-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and a profoundly effective massage function. The new Digital Scent technology further elevates the in-cabin experience, paralleling luxury features found in brands like Mercedes.
Despite a few minor hiccups, like potential reflections from the curved display and less convincing materials in some areas, the Nautilus's interior impresses. The 28-speaker Revel audio system, though a bit lacking in bass, and the rear seating area's ample legroom but limited headroom, prove the SUV's commitment to passenger comfort.
Driving the hybrid model of the Nautilus around Palm Springs revealed a vehicle adept at blending performance with efficiency. The combined 310 horsepower from the turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motor ensure smooth acceleration, with the hybrid variant offering better fuel economy and drivability over the standard engine. Despite not being designed for sporty handling, the Nautilus provides a compliant ride, even when equipped with large 22-inch wheels.
Concerns like overly sensitive brakes and some visibility issues do not detract significantly from the overall driving experience. Priced competitively against European rivals, the new Nautilus offers remarkable value. Even as production moves to China, Lincoln's newest SUV exemplifies the brand's upward trajectory, suggesting a bright future for Lincoln and the Nautilus alike.
Not long ago, Lincoln's future looked bleak, mirroring the fate of Oldsmobile and Mercury, plagued by odd styling, cheap interiors, and overt part-sharing with Ford. However, Lincoln's rebirth began with the revitalized Continental in 2017, followed by an improved Navigator. Now, after experiencing the all-new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus in Palm Springs, California, it's clear this model could be as celebrated as NASA’s moon landing.
The Nautilus's refined second-generation design speaks volumes in its understatement. Its rounded corners and subtle lines present a composed image, while the front sports a classy grille connected to narrow LED headlights by a distinctive horizontal bar, all underlined by elegant metallic accents.
The vehicle's profile enjoys a clean appearance thanks to concealed door handles integrated into the window frames, similar to the Continental. This design choice enhances the bodywork's smooth lines. The rear design borrows elements from premium brands like Audi or Porsche, yet maintains its unique Lincoln identity, only slightly marred by minor design critiques.
Inside, the Nautilus astonishes with its luxurious design, centered around a 48-inch curved panoramic display dominating the dashboard. This feature feels plucked from a high-end concept vehicle, offering an immersive experience unexpected in a production SUV, especially one starting in the low $50,000 range. The display merges traditional gauges with a heads-up display's functionality, offering customizable information tiles.
The minimalist steering wheel and intuitive capacitive touchpads contribute to the cabin's sleekness without compromising usability. The front seats, continuing Lincoln's tradition of comfort, offer 24-way adjustments, heating, ventilation, and a profoundly effective massage function. The new Digital Scent technology further elevates the in-cabin experience, paralleling luxury features found in brands like Mercedes.
Despite a few minor hiccups, like potential reflections from the curved display and less convincing materials in some areas, the Nautilus's interior impresses. The 28-speaker Revel audio system, though a bit lacking in bass, and the rear seating area's ample legroom but limited headroom, prove the SUV's commitment to passenger comfort.
Driving the hybrid model of the Nautilus around Palm Springs revealed a vehicle adept at blending performance with efficiency. The combined 310 horsepower from the turbocharged four-cylinder and electric motor ensure smooth acceleration, with the hybrid variant offering better fuel economy and drivability over the standard engine. Despite not being designed for sporty handling, the Nautilus provides a compliant ride, even when equipped with large 22-inch wheels.
Concerns like overly sensitive brakes and some visibility issues do not detract significantly from the overall driving experience. Priced competitively against European rivals, the new Nautilus offers remarkable value. Even as production moves to China, Lincoln's newest SUV exemplifies the brand's upward trajectory, suggesting a bright future for Lincoln and the Nautilus alike.
