2026 Lincoln Nautilus

The 2026 Nautilus is Lincoln's midsize luxury SUV, flanked on one side by the smaller Corsair and by the three-row Aviator and full-size Navigator on the other. It uses a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offers a more potent and efficient hybrid powertrain. A redesign in 2024 gave the Nautilus a more graceful appearance that blends well with its modern and impactful interior, though in some instances it seems as though form won out over function.

The Nautilus has an attractive cabin, but some items can be frustrating. The steering wheel features a pair of unlabeled directional pads that force users to keep an eye on the massive instrument panel positioned against the windshield. Once your finger touches a pad, a diagram appears in the display, showing you what each button controls (whether for cruise control or the audio system). Then there are the climate controls, which are anchored to a section of the central touchscreen instead of physical buttons or knobs. Even the push-button gear selector isn't as intuitive as it should be. And though they look good, these are all controls that should be usable without distraction.

The Nautilus has a strong value statement, effectively offering the passenger space of a midsize at the price of a compact. Smaller but similarly priced options include the Genesis GV70, which delivers an abundance of performance and features for the money. Acura's RDX is also a solid luxury pick, though it has interface issues of its own. The Mercedes-Benz GLC and BMW X3 may cost more in an apples-to-apples comparison, but their strong execution proves their worth. If you need more space, the midsize Acura MDX and Lexus RX are solid options that cost roughly the same as the Lincoln, and Acura even offers a third row of seating. The Mercedes-Benz GLE and BMW X5 are more expensive but are close to faultless.