2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label Review and Test Drive

Written By: Jerry Reynolds | Jan 7, 2019 1:00:00 AM

I have enjoyed watching the transformation at the Lincoln Motor Company. Being a former Lincoln dealer myself some 15 years ago, we were used to Ford brand products getting new grills, tail lights, a little more wood inside, and you had yourself a Lincoln. Those days are gone.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label

I just spent a week with the all-new 2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label. This is a replacement vehicle for the 2018 and earlier MKX, which was essentially a gussied-up Ford Edge. I am happy to see Lincoln get away from the alphabet soup names. Nautilus is a fitting name for this spectacular new 5-passenger luxury SUV.

I had a lot of comments on the exterior looks of the Nautilus, all of it complimentary, and it was clear nobody recognized it as a Lincoln. The lines are crisp, the 21” wheels are beautiful, in the rear you find dual exhaust and a spoiler, and from the front view, a new grill sits below a swooping hood designed to deflect the wind.

Performance

Under that hood, my review vehicle has the 2.7-liter V6 equipped with twin turbochargers that produce 335-horses and 380-pound feet of torque. It is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. You can also choose a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter turbo engine, and the base models come as front-wheel drive, or you can get all-wheel drive as my tester has.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label

Interior

As you open the door to enter the cabin, comfortable Venetian leather seats with a diamond design look very inviting, and then when you sit down behind the two-tone leather steering wheel, the seat is extremely comfortable. It is slightly bolstered and you get the sense that any size person could get comfortable, especially with the optional 22-way power seat like this one has.

The gauge cluster is simple, easy to read, and you can configure it from the steering wheel. In the center is a very attractive console and center stack that features cup holders, a deep armrest console, and a center storage area with a built-in phone charger.

As you look up at the center stack, there are vertical buttons on the left side that operate the transmission, and I love that. You’ll also find the push button start button just below. Not only is having the transmission buttons up high look attractive, it gives the center console more usable space.

In the middle of the center stack is a large colorful touch screen that operates virtually everything from the climate controls to the 19-speaker Revel audio system, the navigation system, the 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and it houses a fantastic rear camera with a washer, something that is very handy when you’ve had bad weather.

It is noticeable that everything is easily to reach and operate. The touch screen is quick and easy to understand. Also within reach is the auto hold button that allows you to take your foot off the brake when you stop. Above that, you can turn off the start/stop system, which I did every single time I cranked the Nautilus.

Utility

I was pleasantly surprised at the amount of back seat room in the Nautilus, and how comfortable the seats were. Cargo area is sufficient at 37.2 cubic-feet. If you put the rear seat down, you can have 68.8 cubic-feet of cargo, but be aware the second row seat doesn’t fold as flat as some I have seen.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label

Standard Features and Options

The Nautilus Black Label comes fully loaded with notable features like: power foot-activated lift gate, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seat, panoramic power moon roof, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, voice activation, and emergency braking.

The Nautilus I drove had $7200 in options including: the extra charge for the larger engine, the Tech Package which is a 360-degree camera, active park assist, and front and rear parking sensors. It also has the Driver Assist Package, which gives you lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and adaptive steering.

Since this is the Black Label model, you get 4-years or 50,000 miles of maintenance, you can get your vehicle delivered to you, they pick up and return your Lincoln for service, you can get your vehicle washed at any time, and once a year you get a full detail job for free. They even throw in some free meals.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy is rated at 19 city and 26 highway. Total sticker price is $67,630, which is the going rate for a luxury SUV these days.

Verdict

The Nautilus drives very well, the ride is smooth, and it is incredibly quiet inside. If you need a luxury SUV with the 3rd row seat, go up to the Navigator, or soon there will be another Lincoln SUV called the Aviator. I like the Nautilus a lot and encourage you to put it on your shopping list.