If you’re wanting a Lincoln Nautilus but don’t want to jump in head first for a new model, then buying used is what you want. The Nautilus as we know it today has only been around for a few years, but it was around long before that under a different name. We'll take a closer look at what made the Nautilus a worthwhile addition to the Lincoln family.
Key takeaways
- The Nautilus comes with two engines, one being standard, and the other being a slightly more powerful optional engine.
- The first generation using the Nautilus name was introduced in 2019, with the new name came a new design that resembled other vehicles in Lincoln's lineup.
- In 2021, the Nautilus came with a large 13.2-inch touchscreen that was equipped with SYNC 4.
- The future of the Nautilus looks bright, making it the perfect vehicle to look for used.
Second Generation MKX (2016-2018)
This generation was the last for the MKX name, but it’s worth noting as it laid the groundwork for the modern Nautilus. This generation saw the removal of the center console installed gear selector. It was replaced by buttons on the left of the infotainment system. The MKX came in 4 trim levels, all but 1 carry over to the Nautilus. The ones that carried over into the vehicle that we know today are the Premier, Reserve, and Black Label trims.
First generation Nautilus (2019-2023)
While this isn’t the first generation for this vehicle, it is the first generation under the Nautilus name. The Nautilus came as a mid-cycle refresh for the MKX. This refresh took some design cues from the Continental and Navigator, replacing the old split-wing grille to a large rectangular grille with a large Lincoln star emblem.
Carrying over from its time as the MKX are its two engines to pick from. One was the standard 2L EcoBoost I4 that put out 245 horsepower, and the other optional engine was the 2.7L EcoBoost V6 that generated 335 horsepower.
In 2021 the Nautilus saw further changes to its design. These changes were some minor cosmetic ones on the front bumper, while the other took aim at the infotainment screen. In an effort to be more luxurious and have a better overall feel, the Nautilus received a larger 13.2-inch touchscreen. This new touchscreen was outfitted with Ford’s SYNC 4, giving it better phone connectivity as well as other features.
Second Generation (2024-Present)
While it may be hard to find a used 2024 Nautilus, it’s worth noting as it brings the vehicle to a whole new level. The 2024 hit the American market as an import from the Chinese market. This generation sees the addition of a 48-inch display that spans across the dash. This display integrates the instrument cluster, and part of the infotainment system. The infotainment system itself is an 11.1-inch display, while it is smaller than the previous generation, the larger 48-inch display does the heavy lifting.
This generation also sees the addition of a new engine. The standard engine is a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder that can produce 250 horsepower. If you’re wanting something slightly greener, then you’re in luck. The Nautilus also has a hybrid engine option, using the same engine, the Nautilus comes with a 100kW electric motor. This new engine comes with 310 horsepower, giving it a boost in power over the standard gas engine.
Summary
When it comes to the Nautilus, it has a bit of history behind it. Lincoln feels comfortable where it’s at in life now, and we do too here at Jarrett. If you want to learn more, come see us, you may even find what you’re looking for here!