Lincoln Nautilus (2025)

Alisa Priddle from MotorTrend highlights the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as a compelling luxury hybrid SUV that lives up to its MotorTrend SUV of the Year accolade. Praising its serene “quiet flight” cabin, rich materials, and innovative tech—such as the expansive 48-inch panoramic screen and intuitive Lincoln Digital Experience—the review conveys genuine enthusiasm for the vehicle’s comfort and advanced features. The Nautilus impresses with spacious cargo capacity, smooth hybrid powertrain delivering solid fuel economy, and confident all-wheel-drive handling in winter conditions. While the BlueCruise 1.2 hands-free driving assist shows promise, its hypersensitive eye-tracking and occasional disengagements temper the experience, though newer versions address many issues. The review also dispels stigma around its Chinese manufacturing, emphasizing quality and attention to detail. Overall, after a yearlong test, the Nautilus remains a refined, well-rounded SUV that blends luxury, technology, and practicality, with only minor caveats related to driver-assist tech and some control ergonomics.

Joe Tralongo from Kelley Blue Book (KBB) highlights the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as a compelling midsize luxury SUV that blends advanced technology, traditional luxury, and exceptional interior space. He praises its standout features such as the massive 48-inch curved LED display, massaging front seats, and the hands-free BlueCruise driving system, which together create a soothing and modern driving experience. The roomy cabin, generous cargo space, and personalized Black Label trim services further enhance its appeal. While the hybrid powertrain offers more power and better fuel efficiency, Tralongo notes that its power delivery and braking feel less refined than the turbocharged 4-cylinder option, which remains a strong choice. He also critiques the continued use of the push-button transmission selector, finding it less intuitive than alternatives. Overall, the review balances enthusiasm for the Nautilus’s comfort, technology, and style with measured reservations about drivetrain refinement and resale value, positioning it as a worthy contender for buyers prioritizing luxury and space.

Mark Takahashi from Edmunds highlights the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus as a stylish and luxurious midsize SUV with a standout, dashboard-spanning digital display and a comfortable, spacious interior. The hybrid powertrain offers respectable fuel efficiency, matching EPA estimates, and the cabin impresses with high-quality materials and a premium audio system. However, the review points out several drawbacks, including confusing controls, an awkward driving position, and inconsistent ride quality exacerbated by large wheels. Performance is underwhelming, with slower acceleration and longer braking distances compared to rivals. The tech system, while visually striking, suffers from occasional freezes and usability issues. Cargo space and storage solutions are praised, but towing capacity is notably weak. Overall, the Nautilus delivers a distinct personality and luxury feel uncommon in Lincoln’s lineup, yet its driving dynamics and ergonomics hold it back from being a top contender in its class.

Austin Parsons from Car and Driver highlights the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus as a refined midsize luxury SUV that emphasizes comfort, quietness, and upscale interior features over sporty driving dynamics. While its 250-hp turbocharged engine delivers adequate performance, the hybrid variant is preferred for its improved power and efficiency, aligning well with the Nautilus’s smooth, relaxed character. The review praises the vehicle’s premium cabin, advanced tech including the latest BlueCruise hands-free driving assist, and indulgent amenities like the spa-inspired Lincoln Rejuvenate system. However, Parsons notes some trade-offs, such as modest towing capacity and a less engaging driving experience compared to European rivals. The widescreen dashboard display is initially surprising but ultimately user-friendly. With a competitive price range and strong warranty coverage, the Nautilus offers solid value, especially in the midrange Reserve trim. Overall, the review conveys a measured enthusiasm for the Nautilus’s luxury and comfort, recommending it primarily to buyers prioritizing refinement over performance.

Adam Ismail from The Drive highlights the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid as a compelling contender in the crowded luxury midsize SUV segment, praising its richly crafted interior, intuitive tech, and comfortable ride. He emphasizes the cabin’s blend of premium materials like walnut and Redwood leather, alongside a massive yet thoughtfully designed 48-inch screen that balances futuristic appeal with usability. The hybrid powertrain delivers satisfying performance and torque, though real-world fuel economy falls short of official ratings. While the Nautilus impresses with features like BlueCruise hands-free driving and the unique Rejuvenate relaxation system, Ismail notes some quirks, including a less intuitive brake pedal feel and occasional ergonomic oddities. Pricing is steep but justified by the blend of comfort, tech, and performance, especially in mid-level trims. Overall, Ismail conveys a cautiously enthusiastic tone, suggesting the Nautilus is a “just right” luxury SUV worth serious consideration despite minor flaws.

Andrew Ganz from The Car Connection highlights the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as a luxurious midsize SUV that impresses with its bold styling, spacious and exquisitely crafted interior, and advanced technology features. The review conveys a generally positive but measured tone, praising the hybrid powertrain for its superior performance and fuel efficiency compared to the base turbo-4, which is described as underwhelming. The Nautilus excels in comfort and safety, boasting top-notch materials, highly adjustable seats, and strong crash-avoidance tech including Lincoln’s hands-off BlueCruise system. However, the review also points out drawbacks such as the underutilized massive 48-inch dashboard screen, a high price tag that can escalate to $80,000 in top trims, and modest driving dynamics that favor comfort over sportiness. Overall, the Nautilus is portrayed as a refined, stately American luxury SUV that rewards buyers who prioritize plushness and tech but may hesitate due to cost and lack of driving excitement.

U.S. News & World Report highlights the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as a comfortable and refined luxury midsize SUV that prioritizes smooth acceleration and ride quality over sporty handling. The review appreciates the hybrid model’s improved refinement but notes that both versions suffer from mushy brakes and noticeable engine noise, especially at low speeds. The nonhybrid Nautilus delivers adequate power with a gradual, smooth feel consistent with Lincoln’s luxury ethos, though it exhibits some surging and higher engine effort without electric assistance. The adaptive suspension on the top-tier Black Label trim effectively smooths out road imperfections, providing a compliant ride even on large 22-inch wheels and twisty roads, though it doesn’t inspire sporty driving enthusiasm. Fuel economy is solid for the class, but braking performance is a clear weak point, with difficult modulation and juddery stops in stop-and-go traffic. Overall, the Nautilus offers a well-rounded, comfortable driving experience with some trade-offs in braking and engine refinement.

Alex Hevesy from SlashGear highlights the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus as a compelling luxury SUV that successfully blends advanced technology with genuine comfort. He praises its smooth hybrid powertrain and the uniquely immersive interior, especially the expansive four-foot-wide dashboard screen that, despite initial skepticism, proved both useful and unobtrusive. The plush, highly adjustable seats and thoughtful luxury touches like a scent diffuser create a relaxing environment appreciated on both short trips and longer drives. While the Nautilus commands a premium price—especially in the Black Label hybrid trim topping $80,000—Hevesy finds it competitive within its luxury segment and worth the cost for the refined driving experience it offers. His only notable criticism is the hybrid’s fuel economy, which fell short of official estimates during spirited driving. Overall, he regards the Nautilus as a smooth, quiet, and thoughtfully designed luxury SUV that delivers a fresh and respectful take on what luxury means today.