Nautilus Provides Effortless Hybrid Motoring

CHATHAM, Mass. – Effortless was one way Lincoln described the driving experience of the all-new 2024 Nautilus two-row mid-size sport-utility vehicle.

“The idea of taking a journey and helping clients sail effortlessly through their lives speaks to the Lincoln brand and to the experience that Nautilus delivers,” the brand said in its announcement release. “Every layer of the meaning of Nautilus invokes this sense of discovery.”

Equipped with both Google Assistant and Alexa, the Nautilus represents a modern, forward-looking approach to motoring where the driver’s spoken commands will be just as useful as the on-screen touch controls for operating everything from the HVAC system to the SiriusXM satellite radio. And the vehicle will help facilitate the driving experience with less and less physical input from the driver.

I recently spent a week experiencing the digital cockpit pointing to the future in a 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve hybrid and once I (somewhat) mastered the unique blend of modern, future and old (the transmission selector was a piano-keyboard array of buttons, a throwback to a design feature from the 60s) systems and controls, I found the Nautilus a quiet, comfortable, even fun, SUV to drive.

Hybrid power brings performance and economy

Lincoln marries a 2-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline-fueled engine with a 100kW electric motor to motivate the Nautilus hybrid. The double overhead camshaft 16-valve gasoline engine produces 300 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque.

When the two motors are operating in synch, the total output is 310 horsepower, while the electric motor produces 134 when operating on its own, fueled by a 1.5kWh battery which is recharged during normal driving.

The power is transmitted to the road through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) system.

Though not designed for performance – evident by the absence of steering-column-mounted paddle shifters – the Lincoln Nautilus is a spirited SUV. Thanks to the instant torque of the electric motor, stomping on the vehicle’s go pedal can produce rapid acceleration (Car and Driver testing resulted in 0-to-60 miles per hour times of 6.6 seconds).

Even with this level of performance, the Nautilus proved to be stingy on using gasoline. My time behind the wheel resulted in squeezing 32.8 miles out of every gallon of regular. This compared to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s overall rating of 30 mpg (30 urban, 31 highway).

My results reflected the relatively low-speed, suburban driving I did around Cape Cod. Roughly one third of my miles were accomplished with electric power – the gas engine remaining silent. This greatly boosted the mpg figure and will differ greatly depending upon driving environment encountered. (I did nothing specific to limit the gas versus electric motor use; the Nautilus’s computer handles that responsibility.)

Platform performs

Again, the Nautilus was not designed as a performance vehicle, but the engineers still managed to develop a large mid-size SUV (193.2-inches long, 4,517 pounds) which could turn the engine’s performance into an enjoyable driving machine.

The suspension setup included MacPherson-type struts with coil springs and stabilizer bar, Continuous Control Damping shocks (CCD) and 80mm hydro front lower control arm bushings up front. In the rear it was an independent, short-long arms suspension (SLA) with lateral semi-trailing arms, stabilizer bar, coil springs and Continuous Control Damping shocks (CCD) and 80mm rear subframe isolated bushings.

The braking system includes both a friction-brake component and a regenerative one. The friction braking system features anti-lock (ABS), electric brake boost, 13.6-inch rotors up front and 12.6-inch ones in the rear.

The regenerative-braking system operates whenever the Nautilus is brought to a stop using the brake pedal (there is no other means by which it can be activated). The more gradually the SUV is brought to a stop, the more effective the regeneration of electricity. This is confirmed by the appearance of the “Brake Coach” readout on the dash. The higher the percentage displayed, the more energy is returned to the hybrid’s battery.

Extensive suite of ADAS part of the package

Befitting a luxury/premium vehicle, the Nautilus comes with the Lincoln Co-Pilot360™ Vision 2.2 extensive suite of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). These include auto high beams; advanced automated parking system; intelligent adaptive cruise control; blind-spot information system with cross-traffic alert; intelligent speed assist; distance indication and alert; evasive steer assist; lane-keeping system with bling-spot assist; pre-collision assist with automatic-emergency braking (AEB); rear cross-traffic braking; 360-degree monitor, and rear parking sensors.

Luxury and technology meet inside

Unconventional. No other way to describe the dashboard of the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, a structure dominated by the 48-inch panel stretching across its entire width, positioned just below the windshield.

The screen has four quadrants of information, the three on the right customizable. The left quadrant, taking about half the screen, includes driving information like vehicle speed, engine temperature, PRNDL shifter position, as well as a graphical projection of the Google Maps view of the immediate surroundings. I set the next three screens to show audio, trip information and a clock.

The screen allows everyone in the cabin to keep abreast of this information, a factor which was a hit with my partner.

Control of information projected on the wide screen, as well as control of virtually all the vehicle’s systems, is handled through the 11.1-inch color LCD touchscreen just above the intersection of the center console and the dash.

This screen will show complete basic-vehicle settings or audio-system information or a more detailed Google map or comprehensive HVAC controls, all depending upon driver preference. Again, operation of these systems can be through the touchscreen buttons or voice activation (triggered with steering-wheel buttons).

Luxury and premium features beyond the 21^st Century design include multi-zone automatic climate control; power adjusted front heated/ventilated/massaging seats; power adjustable heated steering wheel; leather trim throughout, and panoramic vista roof.

The 14-speaker Revel® premium audio system pumps out the infotainment system’s sounds which includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Sirius XM satellite radio, and Bluetooth streaming.

Other features include Lincoln’s BlueCruise 1.2 self-driving system which features include lane-change assist, allowing a driver to switch lanes hands-free with the tap of the turn signal when the path is clear, and in-lane repositioning, which helps provide more space by subtly shifting away from vehicles in adjacent lanes.

Premium, luxury and technology at a decent price

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus brings a lot of modern technology and luxury to the heart of the two-row mid-size sport-utility segment. This latest Lincoln SUV comes in three trim levels starting at $50,415 for a front-wheel drive Premier. At the other end of the Nautilus spectrum, the fully equipped Black Label, including concierge service, begins at $74,350.

Our review unit was the well-equipped Reserve which has a base price of $54,850. This vehicle also was equipped with a number of options and optional packages (including the hybrid powertrain, $1,500; Reserve III package, $10,005 and Jet Appearance Package, $3,000), which, along with the $1,595 destination charge, brought the total to $68,295. Not inexpensive, but, considering the level of equipment and driving dynamics, a solid value in the premium/luxury segment.

Yes, sign me up!