Nautilus in the mix against the big boys
The all-around execution and performance of Lincoln’s SUV can take on European competition
While the big Navigator SUV and stately Continental sedan present the shiny face of Lincoln, the brand’s biggest seller has been the MKX mid-size crossover, now face-lifted, given a new base 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine, and renamed Nautilus for 2019.
Lincoln has a long and storied history as Ford’s standalone luxury division, but in recent decades the marque has been mired in a sort of automotive purgatory, trying to pitch gussied-up re-badged Ford products as legitimate luxury goods. Sorry Lincoln, I said the “F” word.
Which brings us to the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus, showing a price jump of $3,800 over the outgoing MKX. Should buyers looking at the Lexus RX, Volvo XC60, BMW X3, Audi Q5/Q7, and the Mercedes-Benz GLE consider this up-market crossover based on the Ford Edge?
First off, it’s quite a handsome piece, now sporting Lincoln’s new mesh grille design that projects maturity and elegance without the in-yourface gaudiness that has afflicted the industry of late. The body lines flow with a pleasing, sinewy tautness, concluding with a fetching tail end featuring a horizontal light bar. The optional 21-inch multi-vaned wheels on this tester give it real presence. So yeah, it looks the part.
The 2.0-L turbo four, which replaces the MKX’s 3.7-L V6 as this mid-size SUV’s base engine, makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. For an extra $3000 you can upgrade to a 2.7-L twinturbo V6 rated at a healthy 335 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are hooked to a new eight-speed automatic transmission.
Nautilus starts at $50,450 for the four-cylinder Select trim, which comes with standard leather, navigation, adaptive damping, blind-spot detection, 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and more.
This tester is the top-trim $55,350 Reserve, juiced up with almost $10,000 in options. For this, we’re getting all the expected luxury trappings and driver aids. Key among them is a spectacular Revel Ultima 19-speaker audio system, part of the $5,500 Ultimate Package that also adds the 21-inch rollers and full LED lighting. The $1,100 Technology Package adds 360-degree camera, front park sensors and active park assist, and selecting the $2,500 Driver Assistance Package bestows adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist and adaptive steering, which in combination will provide a modicum of “autonomous” motoring.
About the only option not ticked on this White Platinum tester is the $1600 Ultra Comfort massaging front seats.
The Nautilus is a roomy two-row ute with generous rear-seat space, reclining rear seats and plenty of cargo space. On the road, it is a convincing luxury conveyance. Even on these big wheels, the ride is impressively quiet and compliant, yet body motions are tightly controlled. Steering feel is good, too. Sure, it’s not as sporting as some of the European competition, but truth be told, most luxury SUV shoppers will take a comfy ride and hushed cabin over the ability to make your kids car sick on a challenging road. In this respect, the Nautilus delivers the goods.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the drivetrain. The turbo four is hushed, sufficiently punchy and linear in its power delivery. On the highway, very little wind and road noise intrudes. All the better for enjoying that killer Revel audio.
Where the Nautilus doesn’t quite stack up to the overseas competition is in interior quality. There are no glaring violations — except for maybe the fake-looking open-pore wood appliqués — but the overall choice of materials and attention to detail wouldn’t pass muster at Volvo or Audi. And the eight-inch touch screen is small by today’s luxury standards. Still, I’ll take these fairly logical ergonomics and Ford Sync 3 interface over much of what is out there.
The signature Lincoln row of vertical buttons for gear selection takes some getting used to, and one has to ponder, is it retro-cool or just goofy? It does, however, free up centre-console space, and said console “floats,” offering some useful storage space below.
Lincoln has been having a hard time clawing its way back to luxury legitimacy, but things seem to be coming into focus at Ford’s premium division. The 2019 Nautilus is an impressively well rounded and well sorted effort, and with an as-tested price of almost $66,000, it’s butting heads with the big boys. Which is probably exactly how Lincoln wants it.