HALIFAX, Nova Scotia – The new 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is more than just a rework of the brand’s mid-size luxury SUV. It’s a significant overhaul with sleek new looks, an efficient hybrid powertrain, a dizzying number of interior amenities, and enough digital real estate to give Mercedes’ Hyperscreen a run for its money. For once, the Nautilus has us reimagining the Lincoln badge from the perspective of luxury and innovation.

The Nautilus adopts a handsome silhouette and is well-proportioned compared to the boxy Navigator and the bulbous Aviator. The front grill is eye-catching, featuring a horizontal light bar that cuts through its entire width, giving it a unique light signature in the dark. The same goes for the rear end, with the light bar sloping down on the edges, similar to the Kia EV6, and with fake exhaust surrounds making up for the real tips hidden beneath the rear bumper. However, we appreciate that Lincoln did not bother slapping engine badges or AWD stickers on the trunk lid, which gives it a much cleaner appearance. We prefer darker paint colours on the Nautilus like the optional Blue Panther, and the 22-inch turbine-shaped wheels are an easy recommendation.

Working within the nautical theme, the interior is spacious, airy, and ergonomically designed. However, the spotlight shines on the 48-inch (total) panoramic screen that wraps around the entire cabin width, creating an experience akin to stepping inside an IMAX theatre. It might appear seamless, like one large piece of glass, but there’s a physical divide in the center, so it’s technically two screens conjoined in the middle, with black plastic panels at the edges that meet the door trim. 

Hosting 4K resolution and crisp graphics, the interface is divided into three sections, with the most critical information (speed and lane assist) displayed in front of the driver, supplementary info in the center (navigation), and less imperative displays on the far right, the latter of which can be customized with widgets like weather, tire pressure, and fuel economy. This is all controlled via the 11.1-inch touchscreen mounted in the center.

Lincoln has cleverly positioned the panoramic display just below the windshield, right at eye level, giving us an unobstructed view out front. This also allowed us to see all the features and information on the screens while keeping the road ahead in the sharpest points of our peripheral vision. 

The flat-top, two-spoke steering wheel ensures that it doesn’t impede our frontal view either. It’s shaped similarly to the one in the BMW iX, and although the squared shape can be awkward to grasp at first, we began to appreciate its small size over time, allowing us to comfortably rest our wrists on the top of the rim. The unlabelled capacitive touch sensors on each side remind us of the Lexus RX and are, unfortunately, just as unintuitive. The display will only show what features the button is paired to when you hover over it, and while it is an annoying bit of kit, once you are accustomed to and memorize it, it becomes less of a hassle. 

Lincoln tuned the user interface to be a voice-first system, so you can use the Nautilus like your Google Home and verbally command it to turn down the car temperature. There are still physical touchpoints for highly used functions, such as the large crystal-like volume dial and toggles for the gear selector, auto hold, and drive modes. Should you prefer a more familiar interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available options. However, its native system comes with many integrated apps, and passengers can watch Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video on the center screen. Additionally, they can connect a keyboard and work on the go. 

The screens may steal the show but they overshadow improvements and upgrades that Lincoln has made to their newer vehicles. First, the build quality in the Nautilus is excellent, with a sturdy fit and finish, and the materials are more upscale and less flimsy than those in the Navigator and Aviator we previously drove. Leather is the dominant material, generously stretching from the door panels to the entire dashboard surface. 

The 24-way seats are exceptionally comfortable and feature an effective and powerful massage function. Unlike the rather weak massaging seats in the Range Rover or Audi Q8, this one kneads into your back far enough to feel therapeutic. Paired with the 28-speaker Revel audio system and in-car diffuser scents, the Nautilus cabin becomes one of zen.

We flew to Canada’s east coast to sample both powertrains on offer. First up was the hybrid model, which consists of a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder paired with an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery mounted on the floorbed. It costs $3,500 more than the non-hybrid and delivers 310 combined horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque through an electronic CVT with all-wheel drive.

The hybrid made for a welcome and competent driving partner on the high-speed, open roads that sprawl across the East Coast landscape. Low-end turbo lag is mitigated with the help of the electric motor, and it even allows for zero-emission cruising at low speeds. The regenerative braking was also effective and very natural in terms of pedal effort, requiring no learning curve for those coming from non-hybrid vehicles. You will not notice the electricity and combustion tag team behind the scenes either – the transitions are quiet and seamless. Lincoln claims a combined fuel efficiency average of 7.7 L/100km but we yielded 8.6 L/100km. As expected, as most of our routes were lengthy stretches of high-speed highways and the hybrid’s true advantage lies in city traffic.

Next up was the non-hybrid 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivers 250 hp and 280 lb-ft through an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It is no longer a V6 like the last Nautilus, and the resulting acceleration is far more sluggish than its hybrid counterpart. The four-cylinder requires more time to build up steam, but it is more than enough for the daily commute. It feels lighter on its feet and more willing to change direction than the hybrid, which weighs 76 kg more. Selecting Excite mode ramps up its responsiveness to throttle inputs, making it more engaging when a serpentine road unfurls on the designated route. We averaged an impressive 9.8 L/100km. Of note, both the gas and hybrid models require only 87-octane fuel, unlike the Lexus RX 350 and BMW X5.

Every Nautilus is equipped with an adaptive suspension (no air suspension) with five different driving modes, but no customizable settings to individually tailor the steering, ride, and throttle mapping. The ride is expectedly soft and supple and hides its weight relatively well but still exhibits lots of roll and lean once you swing the wheel. We found it absorbent even on the harsher 22-inch wheels but the Nautilus doesn’t neutralize those pesky, minor oscillations as well as a Lexus RX.

The real ace up the Nautilus’ sleeve is Lincoln BlueCruise, a hands-free driver-assist system that tops the tech pyramid, and we highly recommend it for drivers who commute long distances on the highway, whether it’s from Toronto to Montreal or Nova Scotia. BlueCruise allows drivers to keep their hands off the wheel while its array of cameras and sensors takes care of the driving for them. While it only works on divided highways, it makes our commutes more relaxing and bearable. The lane-centering is effective and doesn’t err too closely to neighbouring lanes, and will even angle itself away should it sense large trucks speeding past. Flick the signal stalk and it will autonomously change lanes as well.

Of course, the driver must still keep their eyes on the road ahead, and there is a sensor behind the steering wheel that monitors your eyes and flashes warnings should it sense you are distracted. It was able to detect through our sunglasses too and it took about seven seconds of ‘distracted driving’ for the warning light show to appear. 

Lincoln uses words like sanctuary and effortless to describe their new Nautilus, and we’re hard-pressed to argue otherwise. The acoustic glass, active noise cancellation, and sound-deadening tires make the cabin a quiet and serene place to spend time in. Our noses were filled with the scents of synthetic forest scents and non-synthetic maritime air, our backs were heated and massaged, and our hands were free to relax as BlueCruise took over as master and commander. Overall, the Nautilus made for a fantastic road-trip companion, highly adept at covering long distances and is overflowing with enough digital real estate and amenities to satisfy all demographics.

Specifications:

Model: 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid Reserve
Paint Type: White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat
Base Price: $61,900
Price as Tested: $82,850
Wheelbase(mm): 2,901
Length/Width/Height (mm): 4,907 / 2,027 / 1,732
Curb Weight: 2,049 kg
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, electric motor, li-ion battery
Horsepower: 310 combined horsepower
Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 3000 rpm
Transmission: Electronic continuously variable transmission (E-CVT)
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, AWD
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 8.6
Tires: 22-inch; Goodyear Eagle Touring