2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

Name: 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review
Brand: Lincoln
Price: 25998 USD

Lincoln Nautilus Black Label 4dr SUV Exterior

Lincoln Nautilus Reserve 4dr SUV Exterior Shown

+93

The Nautilus defines American luxury not by brute power and leather but with a quiet interior, a smooth ride and useful tech features. Oh, and with its turbo V6, it has brute power and leather, too. But it's priced higher than some competitors, and some hard plastic interior materials fall well short of the standard set by other luxury brands.

Used Nautilus for sale

$25,998 - $39,998

55 listings

See Cars for Online Purchase See All for Sale

Appraise This Car

Lincoln Nautilus model years

Lincoln Nautilus for Sale

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

See pricing history

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Quiet interior with plenty of legroom all around
Comfortable seats with lots of adjustments
Strong and smooth acceleration from the optional turbocharged V6

Cons

Quality of some of the interior materials is underwhelming
Rear headroom is compromised if you select the panoramic sunroof
Push-button gear selector can be annoying to use

What's new

The midtier Select Trim has been discontinued
A minor shuffling of standard and optional features
Part of the first Nautilus generation introduced for 2019 that is based on the second-generation MKX introduced for 2016

Overview

A small luxury SUV embodies some core expectations. In general, it should provide a smooth ride, comfortable seats, a quiet cabin on the highway, strong performance, and plenty of space. The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus (formerly the MKX) meets but doesn't always exceed these expectations. And in some other secondary metrics, it comes up short. If the Nautilus were a relative bargain against rivals, these slight demerits would easily be forgiven, but unfortunately it's on the expensive side of the class.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$232/mo

$196/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

Calculate my fuel costs

There are also a few caveats attached to the above listed benefits. The strong performance comes courtesy of the Nautilus' 335-horsepower V6 engine, but it's only available on the midgrade Reserve trim and above. With that model, you also get a panoramic sunroof that cuts into rear-seat headroom, making for a tight squeeze for taller-than-average adults back there. Further holding the Nautilus back are some hard-plastic interior elements that seem out of place in an otherwise well-executed interior.

On the plus side, the Nautilus comes with a lot of standard equipment, including a comprehensive list of advanced safety features. We're also pleased with the design direction Lincoln took with this SUV. The Navigator-inspired grille, for instance, gives the Nautilus a distinctive identity. Overall, the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus is a solid choice in the luxury crossover class, but it is outshone by several others that exceed expectations.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.4

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

7.5/10

How does the Nautilus drive? The optional 2.7-liter V6 has a potent midrange that's useful for quick passing power. In Edmunds testing, it posted a 6.1-second 0-60 mph time — that's not as quick as some competitors but still plenty fast for an SUV of its size. This SUV feels powerful and smooth. Controlling the gas pedal is rewarding, while low-speed gear changes are nearly imperceptible.

Our test vehicle was fitted with optional performance-oriented tires. So equipped, the Nautilus feels composed and confident around turns, but only up to a point. Start pushing it hard and the noticeable body lean and stability control intervention give you the strong hint that this Lincoln is not meant to be a true sport-oriented SUV.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Nautilus? The Nautilus delivers luxury, provided you option it correctly. The soft and supportive front seats offer long-distance comfort, and their heating and cooling functions work quickly. Wide-ranging adjustments in our test car's optional seats fit those of many different statures, and everyone will appreciate the massage options.

Despite the 20-inch wheels, the ride balances between firm and soft. You'll feel bumps but not much aftershock. You may also hear the thunk of a large wheel bottoming out if you go over a speed bump quickly. The cabin mutes wind, tire and road noise to a minimum. The V6 is quiet around town, but it lets itself be heard when you're accelerating up to freeway speeds.

Interior

7.0/10

How’s the interior? The Nautilus' size makes it easy to get in and see out of, and the front seats have many adjustments. But minor annoyances add up and hurt the luxury experience. Your elbows sit at slightly different distances and heights, the button shifter layout can make three-point turns difficult, and the parking sensors signal too many false positives.

The cabin is spacious on headroom until you order the panoramic sunroof. It cuts rear headroom to the point where passengers of average height will brush their hair against the roof. Front and rear legroom is spacious. A tall seating position and large windows make it easy to see surroundings. The optional 360-degree camera aids parking but the display is small.

Technology

7.5/10

How’s the tech? The infotainment screen is small, and it lacks the modern vibe of other systems. More positively, the optional Revel Ultima audio system reproduces sounds crisply and accurately. With Bluetooth, USB, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, there's no shortage of connectivity routes. Another highlight is the ability to connect two phones and use either for smartphone mirroring and audio at the same time.

The effectiveness of the Nautilus' driver aids is mixed. We like how the adaptive cruise control operates in a natural fashion and can bring the vehicle to a stop. But the forward collision warning system is too sensitive, at least in its default setting, and the lane keeping system is aggressive and not ideal in stop-and-go highway traffic.

Storage

8.0/10

How’s the storage? The Nautilus can hold a bit more than the typical small luxury SUV — it offers 37.2 cubic feet of space behind the rear seats and 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded down. In-car storage space for small items is pretty typical. The center console compartment can swallow something the size of a standard DSLR camera, for instance, and the door pockets are big enough for small water bottles.

The Nautilus should work out pretty well for owners with small children. The rear lower car-seat anchors and top anchors are well-labeled and easy to access, and there's ample space for all but the bulkiest rear-facing child seats.

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

How’s the fuel economy? The EPA rates the 2.7-liter V6-equipped Nautilus AWD at 21 mpg combined. Our test vehicle barely exceeded that on Edmunds' 115-mile evaluation route and sunk down to an average of 14.2 mpg after our full round of testing. The adage "caveat emptor" applies when it comes to spending too much time enjoying the turbo engine's midrange thrust.

Value

6.5/10

Is the Nautilus a good value? The base price doesn't include expected luxury features, and many options are bundled in expensive packages. The seat leather is nice, but there are still hard plastics inside. And our test vehicle was beset with minor creaks and groans when driving on bumpy roads. While the Nautilus has some benefits, we think some of its competitors offer more for the money.

Wildcard

7.5/10

The optional turbo V6 gives the Nautilus an unexpected level of performance, which makes it all the more fun. This SUV isn't perfect, but its style and performance are refreshing.

Which Nautilus does Edmunds recommend?

The midgrade Reserve gets our nod in the Nautilus lineup because it delivers more of the luxury experience with added features and conveniences. It also gets our recommendation because it's available with the more powerful V6 engine that also comes with all-wheel drive.

2020 Lincoln Nautilus models

The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus is available in three different trim levels: base, Reserve and Black Label. Each comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 horsepower, 280 lb-ft of torque) and an eight-speed automatic transmission. Moving up through the trim levels unlocks certain option packages and more standard equipment.

Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. An upgrade to a 2.7-liter V6 engine (335 hp, 380 lb-ft) is available on the Reserve and standard on the Black Label. All-wheel drive is standard with this engine.

The base Nautilus comes standard with features such as power-adjustable front seats, driver-seat memory settings, heated front seats and simulated leather upholstery. Also standard are an 8-inch central touchscreen with the Sync 3 interface, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, and a 10-speaker sound system. Driver aids include blind-spot monitoring, lane keeping assist, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

The optional Equipment Group 101A package adds a hands-free liftgate, premium leather upholstery, a universal garage door opener and a navigation system.

The Reserve trim gets you upgrades such as panoramic sunroof, premium leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, and a power-adjustable and heated steering wheel. An adaptive suspension is also included if you upgrade to either the V6 engine or the 21-inch wheels. Available options include the Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus package (a surround-view camera system plus more driver aids), a navigation system, upgraded front seats, and either a 13- or 19-speaker Revel audio system.

The top-of-the-line Black Label is similar to the Reserve, but it comes with just about every feature as standard. Lincoln also offers different paint and interior theme options for the Black Label and includes the special Black Label concierge service.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Lincoln Nautilus.

5 (61%)

4 (15%)

3 (6%)

2 (9%)

1 (9%)

4.1

33 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 33 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

super comfortable - better than expected

John B, 07/24/2020

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve 4dr SUV AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

We bought this car because my wife has nerve issues in her back and after sitting in almost every SUV available she liked these seats the best. She couldn't ride a mile in her Mercedes without hurting. She just drove 200 miles in the Nautilus and felt great. We got the upgraded seats and they are fantastic. Besides the seats, we are very pleased with the performance and ride of the …

Outstanding comfort, power, handling and comfort

Richard Meyer, 12/09/2019

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label 4dr SUV AWD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

As the owner of a 2007 Linclon MKX with 128,000 miles, which we loved, our first stop in shopping for a new SUV was the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. The Lincoln dealer near us had just received an Ice Mocha Reserve 1 Nautilus with V6 and AWD, which is exactly what we wanted. The Reserve 1 package included more options that we were necessarily looking for, but included the 360 degree cameras …

Goodby Bells, Whistles and High prices

Mike, San Antonio, Texas, 11/20/2020

2020 Lincoln Nautilus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A)

Just bought a 2020 Lincoln Nautilus Standard. Am delighted with it and am completely satisfied with the baseline amenities. At 74, I’ve owned, driven and seen just about every type of automobile, truck and motorcycle up to a price of $72,000. Wanted a car that meets my needs of local driving plus occasional 14-hour trips to our second home. I didn’t want three rows of seats. I wanted …

Back to their roots

RCM, 06/05/2020

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label 4dr SUV AWD (2.7L 6cyl Turbo 8A)

While researching and driving mid sized two row SUV's in the luxury category, it became obvious that all the major players were still putting sporty performance at the top of their list. All except Lincoln. Lincoln has decided to get back into the luxury game which originally made them famous. I believe they did this by turning back the clock and remembering the attributes that made them … one of the premier providers of a true American automotive luxury experience. They did it by remembering not only what type of people bought their cars, but what they bought them for. I'm talking about older folks who have reached a station in their life where they want to treat themselves to a better class of car. I'm talking about people like realtors who want to chauffeur their clients around with style while making a statement about their success as a competent salesperson. While their new line of luxury SUV's do have sport modes, it is subdued and more like a slight nod to younger buyers. It never even tries to be more important than the luxury aspect, and it's effects when turned on are subtle at best, which is as it should be. The buyers who want a true luxury experience could care less about neck snapping 0-60 performance, off road capability, or high speed corner handling. That's not what true luxury is about, and Lincoln gets kudos for finally remembered that. I bought my 2020 Black Label Nautilus because I have reached that station I mentioned, and because my stiff back likes the ease of entry and exit afforded by the ride height of a mid sized SUV and the not so radical front roof pillar rake common to most cars. I test drove and then rejected offerings from Cadillac, Lexus, and several others because none of them. at least to my sensibilities, had the quiet refined smoothness of handling and ride that I was looking for. The Nautilus rides more like a car than an SUV but is never mushy, and the handling is smooth and precise. Lincoln went all out to make the interior quiet, with better insulation and acoustic glass to help block sound. The audio system emits white noise to help cancel the outside world. Even the wheel wells have sound dampening material to help reduce tire noise. Put all of it together and you have one quiet enjoyable ride. The twin turbo 2.7 has plenty of power without being annoyingly buzzy like I found the Cadillac XT5 to be. It's loaded with all of the desirable tech functions that are popular. Two of my favorites are the Auto Hold function that keeps the brakes applied when you stop so you don't have to keep the brake pedal depressed, and Adaptive Cruise Control that automatically maintains the distance you select to help you maintain a safe following distance. Another feature I really like is the tire pressure monitoring system that shows the pressure on all four tires at once so you never have to guess which one is causing the low pressure alert. I like to listen to music when I drive, and the Revel System is one of the best I've ever had in a vehicle. My Nautilus is dressed in Burgundy Velvet with the Gala Theme Carmine interior, and it is a very pleasing combination. Even with all the available tech, the dash is refined and elegant looking and doesn't look like it would be more at home in a space ship. I could go on and on, but I think I've made my point, which is, if you value luxury first and foremost, you might want to give the Nautilus a test drive. It hits all the marks in that category.

See all 33 reviews of the Lincoln Nautilus

Write a vehicle review

2020 Nautilus Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$41,040
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$232/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	37.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Nautilus models:

Automatic Emergency Braking: Helps mitigate an accident by applying the brakes when a possible collision is expected.
Blind-Spot Detection: Warns the driver with a flashing light or a beep when a vehicle has entered a blind spot.
360-Degree Camera: Aids in visibility when the vehicle is in a tight spot or might need help identifying obstacles.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover15.5%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

People who viewed this also viewed

Lincoln Aviator
2.0 average Rating out of 1 reviews.
Starting at $53,340

See Lincoln Aviator Inventory

Lincoln Corsair
3.5 average Rating out of 2 reviews.
Starting at $38,990

See Lincoln Corsair Inventory

Lincoln Navigator
5.0 average Rating out of 2 reviews.
Starting at $83,265

See Lincoln Navigator Inventory

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Nautilus does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Lincoln Nautilus models

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2020 Lincoln Nautilus.

Trending topics in reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

super comfortable - better than expected

Outstanding comfort, power, handling and comfort

Goodby Bells, Whistles and High prices

Back to their roots

2020 Nautilus Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Lincoln Nautilus info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Lincoln

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Nautilus does Edmunds recommend?

2020 Lincoln Nautilus models

Most helpful consumer reviews

super comfortable - better than expected

Outstanding comfort, power, handling and comfort

Goodby Bells, Whistles and High prices

Back to their roots

2020 Nautilus Highlights

Safety

People who viewed this also viewed

Related Used 2020 Lincoln Nautilus info

Vehicle reviews of used models

Shop similar models

Shop used vehicles in your area

Popular new car reviews and ratings

Research other models of Lincoln

Research similar vehicles

Other models

Join Edmunds

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.31 per gallon for premium unleaded in Ohio.}