For what seemed a bleak future for Lincoln, the company recaptured attention and interest with its radical overhaul of the interiors and exteriors of their next-generation offerings starting with the reborn Continental sedan in 2017 followed by the Navigator. The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus mirrors this turnaround with an eye-catching style and an affordable pricing unparalleled in its segment. The author draws a parallel between the innovation seen at Lincoln as akin to the game-changing milestone of NASA’s Apollo program, a reference symbolizing a hopeful trajectory for the storied American automaker.
Exterior Design
Lincoln sets itself apart from the competition with the new Nautilus design. The car is more discreet in its charm given the rounded corners, subtle sculpting, and a well-proportioned grille with suggestions of Bentley rods. Traditional door handles are a thing of the past which lend it an unusually clean look. The impact is further accentuated by the lack of serious drawbacks in the design – a motif that is seen in this review.
Interior Design and Features
The linchpin of the refreshed interiors is undeniably the 48-inch curved panoramic display. The traditionally shaped steering wheel and capacitive touchpads add value while avoiding drawbacks often seen with unconventional shapes and controls. The front seats are highly adjustable and come with a massage function and heated and cooling capabilities. The central console also features plenty of storage options. Lincoln has overlooked no detail when it comes to the new Nautilus.
Driving Performance
Moving away from the aesthetic elements, the Lincoln shines with its improved performance parameters as well. The miles put on the hybrid model gave the author a firsthand testimonial of the superior handling, smooth transitions, and better fuel economy. The car’s substantial size doesn’t compromise its ability to smoothly cruise on highways. However, the lack of shift paddles for manual gear control was felt, to nitpick at an otherwise satisfactory model even further.
Safety and Comfort Features
The Lincoln Nautilus is not short of features catering to comfort and safety. The rear seats are spacious, and large amounts of luggage can be stored in the cargo space. The cabin materials are commended by the author. The curved panoramic display has certain shortcomings in specific lighting conditions. The touchscreen is a little low and thus potentially distracting. The Google-based infotainment system is good at interpreting voice commands but could use some improvement.
Economic Pricing and Overall Verdict
The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus performs favorably when assessed from a value-for-money perspective. The base trim starts at $52,010, which compares favorably with the European luxury SUVs in its segment. Even the top trims are competing fiercely with the higher-end SUV models. Like the Apollo 11 mission, while the Nautilus has its share of criticism, it can potentially change the game for Lincoln.
Lincoln’s resurgence in designing vehicles that are not only luxurious but also affordable has refreshed the brand image. The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus stands as an epitome for this revival with many of its features and design elements making it more than competitive in a stiff market.