10 Ways The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Has Improved Over The Last Generation

The Lincoln Nautilus has received its first major update since it took over from the MKX for the 2019 model year. Lincoln, Ford’s luxury division, has overhauled the Nautilus, adding a new hybrid powertrain, modernizing the interior, improving the technology, and sharpening the mid-size SUV;s exterior. The leap from the past-gen SUV to the new-gen car is enormous – and Lincoln hopes its efforts will pay off once the Nautilus hits showrooms in early 2024.

The rebrand from MKX to Nautilus and the update accompanying the name change didn’t inspire an uptick in sales. Lincoln hopes that the new and massively improved Nautilus will be a greater sales success than the model it replaces. Here are 10 ways the Lincoln Nautilus has improved over the last generation.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including goodcarbadcar, Car And Driver, and Ford Authority.

10 The Introduction Of A Hybrid Powertrain

Gas And Electric Power Working In Unparalleled Harmony

The 2024 third-generation Nautilus is available in three trims: Premiere, Reserve, and Black Label.

2024 Lincoln Nautilus Price

(Source: Lincoln)

The adoption of hybrid powertrains is in full swing among SUV manufacturers as they try to conform to emissions regulations and lure in customers with the promise of better fuel efficiency. A 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a 100kW electric motor make up the Nautilus’s hybrid powertrain.

Important Features Of The Nautilus’s Hybrid Engine

• Electric motor churning out 134 horsepower
• Powertrain paired to a CVT
• Combined output of 310 horsepower

The ‘mild’ hybrid system employed by the Nautilus is similar to the one featured in the Ford Escape Hybrid: the powertrain can switch between gas and electric power or use both simultaneously. The EPA hasn’t released consumption statistics for the Nautilus hybrid powertrain. Nevertheless, the Ford Escape Hybrid is rated at 39 MPG combined, 42 MPG city, and 36 MPG highway.

9 Ditching The Fast But Inefficient V-6 Engine

Better Fuel Efficiency For The Nautilus

Unlike Mazda, which built a new six-cylinder engine for several cars in its SUV lineup, Lincoln ditched its V-6 power unit, opting to stick with small turbocharged inline-four engines. The twin-turbo V-6 of the previous generation, which produced 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet, is no longer offered with the Nautilus. The standard engine option is a turbocharged 2.0-liter making 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of twist.

Performance Specifications

(Specs: Lincoln)

The new-gen inline-four and the last-gen inline-four have similar horsepower outputs. However, the previous-gen engine churned out five more pound-feet of torque. Therefore, it’s expected that the fuel efficiency will remain the same: 22 MPG combined, 20 MPG city, and 25 MPG highway. The discontinued V-6 produced more power than the new Nautilus powertrains. Whether the new SUV will perform better than the last-gen SUV is unclear. However, the new car will likely be more fuel-efficient.

8 All Wheel Drive Is Standard On All Trims

Power To All Wheels

You could have the previous-gen Nautilus with front-wheel drive. Lincoln has done away with the front-wheel drive option, offering the Nautilus only as all-wheel drive. This should improve the SUV’s off-road capabilities. The new Lincoln midsize SUV features adaptive suspension and sensors that constantly monitor the vehicle’s braking, steering, body movement, and motion.

Lincoln Nautilus Standard Drive Modes

• Normal
• Conserve
• Excite
• Slippery
• Deep conditions

These different drive modes demonstrate that the Nautilus isn’t a one-trick pony: it can adapt to various road conditions. In Normal mode, features like Active Noise Control prove their worth, preventing excess road noise from entering the cabin. In Slippery conditions, the standard Roll Stability Control helps keep all wheels planted onto the road’s surface.

7 An Improved Hands-Free Driving System

Look! No Hands

An improved version of Lincoln’s hands-free driving technology, Lincoln Bluecruise 1.2, features in the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus. The enhanced software contains features like Lane Change Assist, which performs a hands-free lane change after the driver taps the turn signal, and In-Lane Repositioning, which actively keeps the car within its lane.

Lincoln Nautilus Hands-Free Driving Guide

• Activated through the Lincoln Way App
• Should only be used on the 130,000 miles of Hands-Free Blue Zones
• Drivers should be ready to resume control at any point

The system is available on all three trims. Lincoln will offer a 90-day Bluecruise trial to Premiere and Reserve customers with an option to purchase a four-year service plan. Black Label customers will get a service plan requiring renewal after four years.

6 Introduction Of A 48-Inch Infotainment Screen

A Display Spanning The Entire Dash

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus features a screen spanning the entire dashboard. It comprises two 24.0-inch screens joined together, to create one long 48.0-inch unit, the biggest screen in the midsize luxury SUV segment. It’s controlled by a high-definition 11.1-inch touchscreen; drivers can customize the larger screen by dragging and dropping widgets from the smaller display.

Lincoln Nautilus Infotainment System Features

• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Alexa built-in
• ‘Calm’ mode that turns off the 48-inch screen
• Optional 28-speaker Revel sound system

Lincoln insists that the 48-inch display won’t distract the driver. In fact, the automaker says that the driver can view the screen without taking their eyes off the road. Lincoln designed the Nautilus’s steering wheel with a flat top so the driver could have an unobstructed view of the screen.

5 Luxurious Interior With Ventilated And Heated Front Seats As Standard

Ride In The Perfect Position

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus’s interior features vast expanses of leather, luxury materials, and crystal-themed finishes. The front seats are heated and ventilated as standard – and you can opt for Active Motion massage, which adds a massage function to the seats. Perfect Position 24-way-adjustable front seats with ventilation and heat are available.

Lincoln Nautilus Available Interior Themes

• Black Onyx and Medium Light Space Gray
• Smoked Truffle
• Black Onyx and Allura Blue (offered on the Reserve model)

Perfect Position seats are inspired by high-end office furniture seats and aircraft seats. They feature plastic substrate and polyurethane foam, which provide superior comfort and support. The 24-way adjustable perfect-position seats available with the Nautilus feature thigh extensions.

4 Optional ‘Lincoln Rejuvenate’ Feature That Disperses One Of Three Scents Into The Cabin

A Fragrant Cabin

‘Lincoln Rejuvenate’ is a feature that manipulates the lighting, sound system, massage seats, and screen to provide a performance that should relax and reenergize the driver. As a symphonic orchestra plays, the lighting changes, the seat massages you and high-resolution animations play on the screen, rejuvenating your body. The optional feature also disperses one of three scents into the cabin.

Lincoln Nautilus Scents

• Ozonic Azure
• Violet Cashmere
• Mystic Forest

The digital scents, a novel feature for Lincoln, will also be available as a standalone option. Unfortunately, the ‘Lincoln Rejuvenate’ feature won’t be available when the Nautilus launches. Lincoln will install it at an unspecified future date via an over-the-air update.

3 Increased Passenger Legroom

More Space For Legs

The third-gen Lincoln Nautilus has more passenger room than the outgoing model. The occupants should, therefore, travel in greater comfort. Heated rear seats are optional on the Premiere and Reserve trims and standard on the top-ranked Black Label variant.

Legroom And Cargo Space Metrics

(Specs: Lincoln)

An undesirable side effect of increased legroom for passengers is reduced cargo space. The Nautilus has no third-row seating, so the space behind the second row is reserved for goods. Lincoln prioritized passenger comfort of cargo space when designing the new Nautilus, which isn’t a bad thing. Furthermore, there’s still plenty of space for you to haul cargo.

2 Revised Exterior With Optional Jet Appearance Package

As Sleek As A Jet

The all-new Nautilus’s bold new design includes all-new LED headlights and taillights and four unique grille designs, that all embody Lincoln’s Quiet Flight design language. All models feature a front light bar and ‘Lincoln’ lettering that lights up under the rear LED taillight. Overall, the third-generation Nautilus looked more sculpted and sleeker than the outgoing model. The Jet Appearance Package sharpens the Nautilus’s looks and is available on all models.

Jet Appearance Package Features

• High-gloss black or machined wheels (depending on trim)
• Exclusive Black Onyx interior
• Two-tone paint
• Anodized black exterior elements
• Paint-matching wheel arches and fenders
• Redesigned front bumper

The Premier trim rides on 19-inch wheels, while the Reserve and Black Label trims feature 21- and 22-inch wheels, respectively. They are very attractive SUVs as standard. However, the Jet Appearance Package adds an extra layer of beauty worth the money.

1 Updated Lincoln Embrace Welcome Sequence

A PrizeWorthy Lights Show

Frankly, the Lincoln Embrace feature is a gimmick, like a Tesla Easter Egg. Nevertheless, the flashing lights of your Lincoln can make you feel proud of your luxury SUV or put a smile on your face after a long day. An improved Lincoln Embrace sequence awaits customers of the upcoming Nautilus.

Lincoln Embrace Features

• Headlamp and taillamp lighting sequences
• A welcome mat that illuminates the area below the front doors
• Lighting sequences inside the cabin

The feature detects your approach via your smartphone or key fob and initiates the lights show. You can disable Lincoln Embrace by negotiating to settings on the infotainment screen and switching ‘Welcome Lighting’ off.