The Lincoln Nautilus is the brand’s offering in the highly competitive mid-size class where are models like the Acura RDX and MDX, Buick Enclave, Volvo XC60 and Lexus RX 350. The Ford’s luxury division applied the midcycle update and renamed the MDX model for the 2019 model year and the result is the Nautilus crossover. The model provides a smooth ride and long list of standard safety equipment. The power comes from turbocharged engines and the cabin is spacious and well-equipped. Thanks to the brand’s newest styling language, the Nautilus is also appealing to the eye.
Lincoln made just a few changes in the model’s equipment availability for the 2020 version and the handsome Nautilus will continue to live on the upgrades of the recent mid-cycle refresh until the redesigned version arrives. The current second-generation debuted for the 2016 model year under the MKX nameplate. The next 2021 Lincoln Nautilus will return with no significant changes in design and performance. There will again be mixing in the equipment availability and additional color and wheel options.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus: Design
The Lincoln Nautilus looks modern form the outside thanks to the resent refresh but under the skin, it is just a Lincoln MKX based on the same Ford’s CD4 platform used for the Ford Edge.
The Nautilus adopts the brand’s newest design language used on the recently redesigned Continental and Navigator models. The rectangular, mesh grille is a prominent part of models identify which replaced the split wing design used before the last mid-update and nameplate change. The front section of the model includes also modern-looking headlights very similar to those on the Continental sedan. Adding also to the model’s appearance are sharply defined hood and side panels lines as well as the full-width taillights.
As for the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, the model will keep all styling elements the same but new color and wheel options should appear as well as the new appearance package. The base version will come with the 18-inch wheels while they will grow in size to 20- and 21 inches in the upper grades or with added packages.
Interior, Equipment:
The next Lincoln Nautilus will remain the same inside the cabin while there will be some changes in the equipment organization and availability.
The model provides completive head and legroom as well as the cargo capacity. There are up to 68.8 cubic feet of cargo and up to 37.2 cubes behind the rear seats. The Nautilus comes with high-quality materials and supportive front seats with heating, ventilation, massage and high-level adjustment options.
The base equipment will also be dual-zone automatic climate control, digital instrument cluster, Sync 3 interface, an 8-inch center display, Wi-Fi, 10 speakers, etc. The package of active safety systems including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring and automatic high beams will be available by default.
Available upgrades in the upper grades will be leather upholstery, heated rear seats, surround-view cameras, larger wheels, unique trim accents, heated steering wheel, 19-speaker sound system, automated parking system, etc.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus: Performance
At the performance level, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus will return with two turbocharged engines and 8-speed automatic transmission. There will also be the front- and all-wheel drive options.
The base powering unit will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine capable of producing 250 hp and torque of 280 pound-feet. A more powerful option will again be a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 available with the adaptive suspension and all-wheel drive. This engine makes 335 hp and torque of 380 pound-feet.
The Nautilus can tow up to 3, 500 pounds with Class II hitch. At the fuel efficiency level, the base turbocharged engine combined with the two-wheel drive will return 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The all-wheel drive and this engine will manage 20/25 mpg city/highway. A V-6 powered Nautilus will reach 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway with the front-wheel drive. The all-wheel-drive twin-turbo Nautilus will return 19/26 mpg city/highway.
Lincoln said recently that the hybrid powertrain isn’t planned for the mid-size Nautilus.
2021 Lincoln Nautilus: Release, Price
The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus will go on sale in late 2020. The base version should cost just above $40, 000. The best-equipped Nautilus will close to $60,000.
Do all new Lincoln Nautilus models require premium fuel? What will happen to performance and fuel economy if you use standard fuel?