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2020 Lincoln Nautilus review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
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Lincoln Nautilus highlights

Customer rating

RepairPal reliability rating

(data not available)

Pros

  • Quiet interior with plenty of legroom all around
  • Comfortable seats with lots of adjustments
  • Strong and smooth acceleration from the optional turbocharged V6

Cons

  • Quality of some of the interior materials is underwhelming
  • Rear headroom is compromised if you select the panoramic sunroof
  • Push-button gear selector can be annoying to use

Mileage (EPA estimate)

19 city, 25 highway, 21 combined

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The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus brings elegance and utility to the luxury SUV market

In its second year on the market since it replaced the MKX, the Nautilus remains primarily unchanged for 2020. However, the entry-level Select trim has been eliminated, leaving the Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. As a five-passenger luxury SUV, the Nautilus fits into the Lincoln lineup below the larger three-row Aviator and above the new Corsair. The Nautilus fits well with the Lincoln brand with its elegant interior and quiet, solid ride — qualities expected of this time-honored brand. Although some of the materials are not the quality we’d expect in the basic trims, the top-level Black Label takes care of this issue. Seats are comfortable and supportive, especially the available 22-way adjustable front seats. There’s good space in the cabin, both front and back, and the Nautilus offers plenty of cargo-carrying ability. The optional turbocharged V6 engine delivers plenty of power, confidently managed via the all-wheel-drive system. The Nautilus holds its own among the tough competition, bringing a proper mix of luxury and utility to the five-passenger SUV market.

All Lincoln Nautilus years

Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Lincoln Nautilus generation from 2019 to 2026

What is new for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus?

  • The Nautilus is available in a new trim called the Standard.
  • The Base and Select trims have been discontinued for 2020.
  • Nautilus trims have been upgraded with Automated Cruise Control and Automated Parking as standard equipment this year.
  • The Black Label trim now comes with Rear Seat Heaters as standard equipment.

2020 Lincoln Nautilus trims

Curious how Lincoln Nautilus trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Standard:

Reserve:

  • Includes all features available on the Standard
  • 335-hp, 380-lb-ft of torque 2.7L
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • A/C Seats
  • Leather Seats
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Navigation System
  • View our Lincoln Nautilus Reserve inventory

Black Label:

Lincoln Nautilus photos

What We Like

Storage: The Nautilus offers 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space that expands to 68.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cabin also features good storage with a nice-sized center console compartment and door pockets that can handle a large water bottle. The back seat easily handles the bulkiest of rear-facing child seats.

Comfort: When optioned correctly, the interior of the Nautilus is quite luxurious. Soft and supportive leather-trimmed seats heat and cool quickly, offering a wide range of adjustments and massage functions. The ride is quiet and relatively smooth, with wind, tire, and road noise kept to a minimum even with the 20-inch wheels. The V6 stays quiet when cruising but delivers a satisfying growl under acceleration.

Performance: With the optional 2.7-liter V6 engine, the Nautilus feels powerful and smooth, with plenty of power for quick passes. Edmunds clocked the Nautilus at 6.1 seconds to 60 mph, more than adequate for a vehicle of this size. The optional performance-oriented tires keep the Nautilus composed and confident around corners. 

What Needs Improvement

Fuel economy: The all-wheel-drive Nautilus with the more powerful 2.7-liter V6 engine is rated at 21 mpg combined by the EPA; however,

Edmunds barely exceeded that figure during its 115-mile evaluation route and ended up at just 14.2 mpg when the full round of testing was completed. This drop in fuel economy could be a byproduct of enjoying the turbocharged engine a bit too much, proving the old adage that “your mileage may vary.”

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4.6 out of 5

12 customer reviews

Lincoln Nautilus features and specs

Curious how Lincoln Nautilus trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

Reserve 2WD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • A/C Seat(s)
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Android Auto
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Blind Spot Monitor
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • Heated Mirrors
  • Heated Steering Wheel
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Navigation System
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Panoramic Sunroof
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Hatch/Deck Lid
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear Seat Heaters
  • Rear View Camera
  • Remote Start
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Sync System
  • Traction Control
  • Turbo Charged Engine

Optional Features

  • 20 Inch Plus Wheels
  • Automated Parking
  • CD Audio
  • Full Roof Rack
  • Rear Entertainment System
  • Seat Massagers
  • Tow Hitch

Drive Wheels

Front Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

2.0L

Horsepower

250

Torque (ft-lbs)

280

Engine type

Turbo Gas

Fuel capacity

18.4

Wheelbase

112.2"

Overall length

190"

Width

76.1"

Height

66.2"

Leg room

F 42.8"/R 39.6"

Head room

F 37.8"/R 38.6"

Front tires

P245/60VR18

Rear tires

P245/60VR18

Seating capacity

5

Max towing capacity

200/2000 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2020 Lincoln Nautilus FAQ

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