Lincoln Nautilus 2022 Review

One of four Lincolns available for the 2022 model year, the five-passenger Nautilus is a midsize crossover SUV that is based on the Ford Edge. It slots between the compact Corsair and the seven-passenger Aviator in the Lincoln lineup and comes in three trim levels with a choice between two turbocharged engines.

Lincoln introduced the Nautilus four years ago, and while the name was new to the lineup the SUV was not. The underlying engineering dates to the 2016 model year, making the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus a senior citizen by automotive standards. However, this Lincoln is still looking as youthful as a Hollywood actor thanks to regular cosmetic upgrades and technology implants.

Following a significant interior renovation and a fresh infotainment system last year, the 2022 Nautilus receives few changes. A new Black Label Flight theme originally planned for 2021 finally arrives, and a couple of new option packages debut for other versions of the SUV. Fresh color choices round out the changes. 

Compared to its primary rival, the equally aged Lexus RX, the Lincoln Nautilus offers more conservative and elegant styling combined with technology that can be easier to use. It also fares favorably when stacked up against the arguably less compelling Cadillac XT5. However, other five-passenger luxury SUVs, such as the BMW X5, Genesis GV80 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, demonstrate more polish than the Lincoln. But in exchange for the added refinement and sophistication, they can also carry higher price tags.

Which Nautilus does MatoCar recommend?

Available in Standard, Reserve and Black Label trim levels, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus provides seating for five people in two rows. Black Label versions feature curated themes and expanded ownership perks for maximum luxury, but they're available only in select dealerships.

With the Standard trim, the 2022 Nautilus includes:

• Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque)
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• Standard front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive
• 18-inch wheels
• Power rear liftgate
• Rear parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible behind the vehicle when parking)
• Remote engine start
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable front seats
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
• 13.2-inch infotainment system display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity
• Natural voice recognition
• Lincoln Connect communication services
• 10-speaker audio system

Several advanced driving assistance systems are also standard, packaged together in Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 1.0. They include the following:

• Automatic high-beam LED headlights
• Forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
• Lane keeping assist (steers the Nautilus back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)

A new Premium package is available on the standard Nautilus. It adds:

• 18-inch premium aluminum wheels
• Power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel
• Universal garage door opener
• Connected navigation system

Upgrade to the Nautilus Reserve, and the SUV has the following features:

• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Leather upholstery
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Heated and power-adjustable steering wheel
• Heated rear seats
• Hands-free liftgate
• Ambient interior lighting
• Panoramic sunroof
• Wireless smartphone charging
• Connected navigation system
• Improved vehicle security

Lincoln offers numerous options for the Nautilus Reserve. Choices start with Reserve, Reserve I and Reserve II equipment packages. A new Luxury package debuts for the Reserve, and Lincoln includes an Ultimate package with Reserve II equipment. With selected paint colors, a Monochromatic package is also available, removing much of the exterior chrome in favor of black and body-colored trim.

With Reserve I and Reserve II equipment groups, the Nautilus includes Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus. This package installs these driving aids:

• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go (maintains a driver-set distance between the Nautilus and the car in front, can bring the SUV to a full stop, and can resume travel within a short time if traffic ahead moves forward)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the Nautilus and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Front parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of the vehicle when parking)
• Automated parking system (steers into a parking spot with little or no driver intervention)

The Nautilus Black Label is fully equipped and available with your choice of two interior themes called Chalet and Flight. All Nautilus Black Label models have:

• Twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine (335 hp, 380 lb-ft of torque)
• All-wheel drive
• 21-inch wheels
• Adaptive suspension dampers (for improved ride comfort and handling)
• Hands-free liftgate
• Premium leather upholstery
• Simulated suede headliner
• Luxury carpeted floor mats
• Digital key technology (transforms your smartphone into a key that can unlock the Nautilus and start the engine)
• 19-speaker high-end Revel Ultima audio system
• Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus (detailed above)

Many features that come standard on the Black Label are available on the Reserve as options. Other notable options for the Nautilus include 22-way power-adjustable front seats with massaging functions and a rear-seat entertainment system.