Lincoln takes 2024 Nautilus A Notch up or two!
NAUTILUS (AWD BLACK LABEL)
Tires: 255/45R22
Wheelbase: 114.2 inches
Length: 193.2 inches
Height: 68.2 inches
Width: 85.4 inches
Fuel capacity: 20 gallons
City: 21 mpg
Highway: 29 mpg
Web site: www.lincoln.com
A 48-inch panoramic display that spans the entire dashboard. Flat top-and-bottom steering wheel. An 11-inch configurable infotainment touchscreen. Piano-key gear shifter. Instrument panel toggles. Those are just a few of some fine touches in the totally redesigned 2024 Lincoln Nautilus.
Ensconced on a unitized body, the stylish and redesigned midsize luxury SUV is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 cylinder developing 250 horsepower @ 5500 rpm and 280 pounds-feet of torque @ 3000 rpm. That is plenty of verve for the 4,349-pound vehicle to scoot from any speed. Getting power to the ground is a slick-shifting 8-speed auto gearbox. A MacPherson strut front and integral-link rear suspension absorbs noise and roughness with skill, sure-footedness and poise. Conveying an immediate and direct feel is the electric power-assist steering. Drive modes include conserve, deep conditions, excite, normal and slippery.
Making our all-wheel-drive and chrome caviar dark gray Lincoln stand out in a crowd is a lit Lincoln star and light bar joining together LED headlights amid a plated satin chrome finish. But it is in the extravagant, classy and exquisitely-made cabin that the Nautilus shines. Our Redwood-themed cabin came with stunning-catching Herringbone Marquetry walnut applique, harvest bronze with dark smoked truffle leather suede-insert seats and headliner. Housed in the center armrest are three digital scents – violet cashmere, mystic forest and ozonic azure – to put one’s senses and mind to ease. Passenger volume is a cool 110.8 cubic feet. Six-footers in the rear seat have substantial room to stretch legs, thanks to the recline feature. Standard comforts include 10-way power driver and eight-way front-passenger heated/cooled seats, dual auto a/c, 24-speaker Revel audio, panoramic vista roof, heated rear seats, power lift gate and power tilt/telescopic steering column to accommodate drivers of any size.
The standard Lincoln CoPilot360 Vision 2.2 bundles together driver-assist safety features such as blind spot monitor with cross-traffic alert, pre-collision assist and lane-keep aid with auto emergency brake, auto high beams, rear park sensors, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera. Also included are dual front and side airbags, front knee airbags, inflatable knee bolster, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic stability and traction control, front and rear three-point seatbelts, tire pressure monitor and daytime running lights. If you like hands-free highway driving, the BlueCruise feature (spans over 130,000 miles in the U.S.) will put your mind to rest covering those long distances.
By no means is the base-priced $74,250 (topping at $80,845) Nautilus AWD Black Label edition an inexpensive ride. But it delivers nippy acceleration, excellent handling and competent body control. Plus, it’s gorgeous to the eye inside and out. All these wonderful attributes should justify the high-ticket item.
Nitish S. Rele operates motoringtampabay.com and Khaas Baat, and was an
automotive editor/columnist for theTampa Tribune. Email him at