Getting your
Trinity Audioplayer ready...By James Raia | Autopia Lincoln once offered nine cars in the same model year. But the Ford luxury division discontinued its previous flagship, the Continental Mark series, years ago. The lineup has steadily further shrunk, with the confusingly named MK sedan and SUV monikers dispatched in 2020.
The more than 100-year-old brand now offers only four choices, all sport utility vehicles. The Nautilus joined the mini-lineup in late 2017 as a 2019 model. The Corsair joined the group two years later.
A midsize two-row luxury SUV, the Nautilus is positioned in the middle of the Lincoln lineup. The 2026 model is in the third year of the vehicle’s second generation.
With its 2024 model, the Nautilus emerged from a modest design and began a new level of competitiveness. It’s now solidly in the mix with storied offerings from Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and the now decade-old Genesis.
The most notable change occurred in 2025 with the addition of a 48-inch panoramic display that spreads across the entire dashboard. It’s recessed, maybe a foot behind the steering wheel. It’s horizontally imposing, but it’s also narrow, maybe five inches in height. It’s like a giant elongated eye, squinting. When the engine starts, the word Nautilus appears across the screen in large letters.
The interface has three zones: a digital instrument cluster in front of the driver, a central information display and a front passenger-side display. All areas are customizable, from a compass display to a large average gas mileage indicator.
Further modernization includes a flat-top and flat-bottom steering wheel. It’s a trend more manufacturers are implementing. The style provides more legroom for taller drivers and more dashboard visibility. The flat approach also assists in driver entry and exit.
For 2026, the Nautilus is largely unchanged. It’s presented standard with a turbocharged two-liter, inline-four cylinder engine producing 250 horsepower. It advances via an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive, and it does so quietly and steadily. Acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per take 7.3 seconds. Gas mileage averages are 29 miles per gallon in city driving, 31 mpg on the highway. Lincoln’s legacy as the luxury division of Ford remains. The Nautilus has among the lowest starting MSRPs in its crowded class. But its comfort, confidence, and overall road smoothness equal many of its rivals’ personas. It’s available in Premiere ($53,995), Reserve ($63,595) and top-line Black Label ($77,660) trims.
The base trim has a long list of standard features, including an 11.1-inch touch screen, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view camera system, wireless device charging and Lincoln’s BlueCruise partially automated driving system. It allows the driver to remove their hands from the steering wheel on certain roadways. The system accelerates, brakes and steers the vehicle in the lane. It also provides support while a driver-facing camera ensures the operator is still focused on the road.
The reviewed Reserve trim adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, an adaptive suspension and a panoramic sunroof.
A 28-speaker stereo, upgraded leather upholstery and massaging front seats are standard with the Black Label trim.
While SUVs are the new family sedans, practical use remains an important trait. Reserve and Black Label trims have 35.2 cubic feet behind the second row of seats. It expands to a fully usable 68.8 cubic feet with the seats folded. A power liftgate is standard. A hands-free liftgate is an option. Lincoln’s status isn’t the same as its yesteryear glory. The brand’s sales were 104,823 in 2025, down about two percent from a year earlier and only 23rd among manufacturers.
Nautilus sales dropped nearly eight percent to 33,744 in 2025. But it remained Lincoln’s top seller. As reviewed, the SUV costs $71,285. It’s a worthy purchase with a nod to the brand’s dignified and luxurious heritage.
James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento. He also contributes business, lifestyle, sports and travel articles to several print and online publications. Email: james@jamesraia.com.