2021 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve Review

I just spent a week with the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve. This was the replacement vehicle for the 2018 and earlier MKX, which was an upscale version of the Ford Edge.

Exterior

I had a lot of comments on the exterior looks of the Nautilus. The lines are crisp, the 21” Ultra Bright wheels are beautiful, in the rear you find dual exhaust and a spoiler, and from the front view, a waterfall grill sits below a swooping hood designed to deflect the wind. I also love the exterior color, one of the hottest colors out there right now, it’s called Ceramic Pearl.

Powertrain

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.

Interior

As you open the door to enter the cabin, comfortable premium leather seats look very inviting, and then when you sit down behind the multi-function 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 dual power heated, air conditioned, and massaging power seats.

The gauge cluster is simple, easy to read, and you can configure it from the steering wheel. In the center are 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 that operate the transmission, and I love that. You’ll also find the push button start button there. 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 360-degree rear camera with a washer, something that is very handy when you’ve had bad weather.

It is noticeable that everything is easy to reach and operate. The touch screen is quick and easy to understand. Also, there is a shortcut button to activate the auto hold that allows you to take your foot off the brake when you stop. Also on that screen, 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.

Standard Equipment

The Nautilus I drove is as you would expect, fully loaded with all the standard Lincoln features, plus all the terrific safety features of the Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 safety system. In addition, you get a panoramic moonroof, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, active park assist, adaptive cruise control, and remote start.

What You’ll Pay

Fuel economy is rated at 19 city and 26 highway. Total sticker price is $60,650, 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 Aviator, it has many of the same great features of the Nautilus. I like the Nautilus a lot, and encourage you to put it on your shopping list.

Credit: Lincoln