2021 Lincoln Nautilus

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Rating7.2

Ranked #15 in 

Midsize SUV
Write Review
$42,500 - $65,090
Starting Price 
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on September 26, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Comfortable drive setup

So-so fuel efficiency

Interior re-design

Intuitive new infotainment display

Not sporty per se

Larger 13.2-inch touchscreen

Plenty of legroom to spare

Installed piano-key shifter in place of push-button setup

Strong performance from the V6

New interior theme for Black Label models - Chalet and Flight

Specs & Features

$42,500

price

250 hp @ 5500 rpm

horsepower

280 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm

torque

8-Speed Automatic

transmission

2.0L 4cyl FWD 8A

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The Lincoln Nautilus is one of the latest entrants to the American manufacturer’s stable and sits above the Corsair. The Nautilus was launched as a replacement for the aging Lincoln MKX and brought a lot of required changes. The SUV enters the market facing heavy waters from the Audi Q5, the Cadillac XT5, and the BMW X3 but holds its position pretty firm. The 2021 model year brings in a new interior design that changes the whole layout, including the shifter. The infotainment system gets a bump as well, now accommodating a bigger screen and latest tech features. 

The line-up of the Nautilus starts at $42,500 and brings in three trims - Nautilus, Reserve, and Black Label. The Black Label is the most expensive one and gets all the bells and whistles, including AWD as standard. Let’s see how the Nautilus stands up against its rivals and how better of a value proposition it is. 

Buying Advice

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus brings in a very well-polished package that keeps getting better as time progresses. The design is posh and provides a very cavernous cabin to accommodate the occupants. The powerplant is impressive but the overall athleticism is lacking. Along with this, the fuel economy is middling and needs to be worked upon. Overall, the Nautilus stands as a solid local alternative to the German rivals and promises a better value.

Trims

    Base
    $42,500 onwards
    • Engine: 2.0L 4cyl FWD 8A
    • Horsepower: 250 hp @ 5500 rpm hp
    • Torque: 280 lb.-ft. @ 3000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 7.1 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 23 mpg
    Reserve
    $49,550 onwards
    • 18-inch machined aluminum Wheels
    • Leather Seat trim
    • Navigation system
    Black Label
    $65,090 onwards
    • 21-inch polished aluminum Wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Lincoln Co-Pilot360 Plus
    • Remote keyless entry

Compare to similar cars

Price

$42,500- $65,090

Engine

Gasoline

Rating

7.16

Horsepower

335 hp @ 5500 rpm

Torque

380 lb.-ft. @ 3250 rpm

Capacity

5

Read Review

$68,200- $77,850

Gasoline

7.21

335 hp @ 5700 rpm

369 lb.-ft. @ 1370 rpm

5

Read Review

$54,950- $72,000

Gasoline

8.08

248 hp @ 5000 rpm

273 lb.-ft. @ 1600 rpm

7

Read Review

$48,900- $65,550

Gasoline

8.02

300 hp @ 5800 rpm

311 lb.-ft. @ 1650 rpm

5

Read Review

$65,050- $86,250

Gasoline

8.19

335 hp @ 5500 rpm

331 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$43,300- $56,500

Gasoline

8.15

261 hp

273 lb.-ft.

5

Read Review

$43,000- $56,600

Gasoline

8.14

248 hp @ 5200 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1450 rpm

5

Read Review

$47,995- $57,195

Gasoline

7.38

235 hp @ 5000 rpm

258 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

7

Read Review

$59,400- $82,800

Gasoline

8.08

335 hp @ 5500 rpm

331 lb.-ft. @ 1500 rpm

5

Read Review

$33,700- $41,450

Gasoline

7.71

187 hp @ 4700 rpm

221 lb.-ft. @ 1400 rpm

5

Read Review

2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    7.1 sec15.4 sec-
    5.1 sec--
    2021 BMW X5

    Ranked #2

    5.2 sec14.3 sec130 mph
    2021 Audi Q8

    Ranked #3

    5.3 sec14.0 sec130 mph
    5.4 sec--
    2021 BMW X6

    Ranked #5

    5.6 sec13.4 sec132 mph

    2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      21 mpg26 mpg23 mpg18.4 gal.378/468 mi.
      2021 BMW X3

      Ranked #1

      23 mpg29 mpg27 mpg17.2 gal.430/498.8 mi.
      23 mpg32 mpg26 mpg14.2 gal.326.6/454.4 mi.
      22 mpg29 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.413.6/545.2 mi.
      21 mpg30 mpg25 mpg18.8 gal.394.8/564 mi.
      2021 Audi Q5

      Ranked #3

      23 mpg28 mpg25 mpg18.5 gal.425.5/518 mi.

      2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        190 in.86.1 in.66.2 in.7.9 in.112.2 in.
        200.6 in.77.2 in.68.6 in.6.5 in.114.2 in.
        2021 Audi Q7

        Ranked #2

        199.3 in.77.6 in.68.5 in.7.7 in.117.9 in.
        198.5 in.77.3 in.69.9 in.6.65 in.112.7 in.
        196.9 in.74.6 in.67.3 in.8.1 in.109.8 in.
        2021 Audi Q8

        Ranked #5

        196.6 in.78.5 in.67.2 in.5.8 in.117.9 in.

        2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          37.2 cu.ft.108.3 cu.ft.68.8 cu.ft.
          2021 BMW X6

          Ranked #1

          27.4 cu.ft.164.4 cu.ft.59.6 cu.ft.
          41.8 cu.ft.103.8 cu.ft.85.7 cu.ft.
          16 cu.ft.99.8 cu.ft.32.7 cu.ft.
          34.9 cu.ft.124.6 cu.ft.84 cu.ft.
          9.1 cu.ft.-66.6 cu.ft.

          2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            Bed Length
            SourceCompare
            65.7 cu.ft.37.2 cu.ft.68.8 cu.ft.-
            2021 BMW X6

            Ranked #2

            150 cu.ft.27.4 cu.ft.59.6 cu.ft.-
            22.8 cu.ft.12.6 cu.ft.78.7 cu.ft.-
            81.4 cu.ft.16 cu.ft.32.7 cu.ft.-
            58.5 cu.ft.7.5 cu.ft.58.5 cu.ft.-
            63.3 cu.ft.29.7 cu.ft.63.3 cu.ft.79 ft.

            2021 Lincoln Nautilus vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Towing Capacity
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              2000 lbs.-4165 lbs.
              7716 lbs.1850 lbs.5135 lbs.
              7700 lbs.1657 lbs.4582 lbs.
              2021 Audi Q8

              Ranked #2

              7700 lbs.1124 lbs.4960 lbs.
              2021 BMW X6

              Ranked #3

              7209 lbs.1025 lbs.4687 lbs.
              2021 BMW X5

              Ranked #3

              7209 lbs.974 lbs.4828 lbs.

              2021 Lincoln Nautilus SUV Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and which year to avoid?

              2

              Recalls

              1

              Investigations

              15

              Complaints
              Overall Safety Rating
              Read More

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              MPG Combined : 23 mpg

              0-60 : 7.1 sec

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