2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

Name: 2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Brand: Lincoln

Price Range: $19,990 - $31,990

Lincoln Nautilus Black Label 4dr SUV Exterior

The 2020 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.

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2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

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

Written by automotive expert Mark Takahashi

11/1/2019

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.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Augusta, GA

28 listings

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2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Base 4dr SUV
$24,998
- 33,896 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 21 City / 26 Hwy MPG
- CarMax Greenville (98 mi away)
- Free delivery available*
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Greenville, SC
CarMax values transparency and wants you to love your next car, not settle on it. Certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Check nhtsa.gov...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: Yes
Features and Specs:
23 Combined MPG (21 City/26 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2LMPJ6J9XLBL12261
Stock: 27744090
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Price Drop
2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Reserve 4dr SUV
$21,332
good price
$2,237 below market
- 78,054 miles
- No accidents, personal use
- 5 Seats, 20 City / 25 Hwy MPG
- Driveway (512 mi away)
- Home delivery*
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
Close
Located in Wexford, PA
CarFax No Accidents Reported,CarFax 1-Owner,Rare Find,Apple CarPlay,Automatic Parking,Back-Up Camera,Blind Spot Monitor,Bluetooth,Brake Assist,Hands-F...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
22 Combined MPG (20 City/25 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 2LMPJ8K92LBL08828
Stock: VL08828A
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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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

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Average

7.4

out of 10

We drove the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

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

7/10

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

8/10

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

6/10

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.

2020 Lincoln Nautilus trim level differences

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.

Which Nautilus trim 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.

Compare 2020 Lincoln Nautilus trim levels

Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Georgia

$199/mo

$168/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Reliability

The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus has a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic warranty and 4 recalls. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Recalls

4 recalls found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 25V442000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 25S72
Number of vehicles affected:: 200061
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Defect Consequence:: A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 28, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.

Recall Number:: 21V011000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 21S02
Number of vehicles affected:: 147
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
Defect Consequence:: In the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.

Recall Number:: 20V575000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20C19
Number of vehicles affected:: 620246
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Defect Consequence:: Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 7, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.

Recall Number:: 20V414000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: 20S37
Number of vehicles affected:: 19299
Defect Description:: Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Defect Consequence:: An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Corrective Action:: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.

Warranty

4 years / 50,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 4 years / 50,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 6 years / 70,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: unlimited years / unlimited miles

Lincoln Nautilus Owner Reviews

4.1

34 reviews

5(59%)

4(14%)

3(8%)

2(8%)

1(11%)

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Most Helpful Owner 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 34 reviews of the Lincoln Nautilus

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2020 Nautilus Highlights

Trim:

Base

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$41,040
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	23 MPG
Cost to Drive	$199/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	37.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles

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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

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2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

Appraise my car

Price & Payment

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Augusta, GA

2020 Lincoln NautilusBase 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

2020 Lincoln NautilusReserve 4dr SUV

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2020 Lincoln Nautilus trim level differences

Which Nautilus trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Recalls

Warranty

Lincoln Nautilus Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner 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

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2020 Lincoln Nautilus
Base 4dr SUV

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Reserve 4dr SUV