2024 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid First Test: Simply Sumptuous

The thoughtfully designed volume knob is your first clue. A large crystalline piece in a world where such controls are typically tiny afterthoughts, the trim piece feels as good to use as it looks. It turns out that Lincoln luxury is fresher than old Town Cars and ’61 Continentals. In fact, Lincoln luxury is right here, right now, inside the 2024 Nautilus Black Label hybrid.

The more we experience the new Nautilus lineup, the more we like the two-row midsize luxury SUV. Where Lexus impressively offers three distinct hybrid RX models plus a standard gas model, Lincoln positions its lone 300-hp Nautilus hybrid variant as a more powerful and convenient option above the standard 250-hp turbo I-4 powerplant. We never liked the now-discontinued hybrid version of the Lincoln Aviator, and we wondered: Would it be the same with the new Nautilus?

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The Hybrid Upgrade

An extra 50 hp is just the beginning of the upgrades with the Nautilus hybrid. Thanks to its four-cylinder turbo I-4 hybrid system, the 300-hp Nautilus hybrid improves acceleration, lowers fuel costs, and goes more than 100 extra miles before needing to refuel.

Not bad for an option that costs $1,500 on 2024 models and $2,000 on 2025s.

If you’re thinking about the Lexus-sized elephant in the room, the Nautilus hybrid fits nicely between the two RX hybrids that aren’t plug-ins. The standard RX350h hybrid manages 36 mpg in combined city/highway driving to the Nautilus hybrid’s 30 mpg. Our favorite RX, the RX500h, is a sportier, 366-hp F Sport Performance model that delivers 27 mpg and a 464-mile driving range. The RX350h can go 619 miles, while the Nautilus hits 600 thanks to an enormous 20.0-gallon fuel tank.

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0–60 MPH and the Driving Experience

Like all modern Lincolns, the Nautilus hybrid isn’t a numbers car. The SUV is focused on creating a luxurious cocoon; extra oomph is secondary. Even so, the Lincoln comes through with a 0–60-mph time of 6.9 seconds. That’s about half a second quicker than the non-hybrid Nautilus (7.5 seconds) and the RX350h (7.4) and plenty quick for daily driving. If you have a need for speed, the sportier RX500h is as quick as 5.9 seconds in our testing.

That level of swiftness won’t shock passengers, but the 4,715-pound Lincoln can get out of its own way when it needs to. Hopefully, that’s not very often, as this luxury cruiser excels when driven at a more sedate pace.

The ride is very good, although our test SUV’s 22-inch wheels occasionally slapped down on huge bumps and offered up some tire noise on rougher pavements, too. We recommend selecting a different wheel and tire package if you live somewhere with severely broken roads.

On a back road, the Nautilus offers competency rather than outright fun, and its 60–0-mph braking distance of 133 feet is so-so. Both Lexus RX hybrids take about as much distance to come to a stop, but the non-hybrid Nautilus manages the test in only 119 feet. We’d also like to see a more refined tuning of brake feel at normal speeds, as the grabby pedal feel makes smooth stops slightly more difficult.

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Experience to Believe It

This doesn’t sound like one of our favorite vehicles, does it? What elevates the Nautilus above so many other luxury SUVs is the way it puts everything together. Experienced around town or especially on the freeway, the Lincoln is at its best.

Don’t be intimidated by the 48 inches of digital real estate mounted forward on the dash. What could be yet another trendy screen tacked onto a car here works to destress driver and passenger. One of four design themes can be selected from an intuitive settings menu on a lower touchscreen, and the most remarkable thing is how well-integrated the digital acreage actually is in the Lincoln. The vast majority of multi-screen setups in other cars don't really innovate and overwhelm with information and options. Not so here. At night, some of the door trim contributes to the ambient lighting experience with what appears to be paint strokes of glowing color, a distinctive touch.

The Lincoln even sounds good. For a few years now, Lincoln has used bespoke Detroit Symphony–sourced recordings where other automakers have anonymous chimes (such as when a tailgate closes or a door is open). It’s another classy touch.

On the technology front, we haven’t yet talked about BlueCruise, a semi-autonomous technology the Lincoln can use to drive itself without your hands on the steering wheel in the right conditions and on highways mapped in its system. With recent improvements made to BlueCruise, it’s now one of the best such systems on the market.

An artfully designed interior is nothing without functionality, and the Nautilus is spacious inside. In the rear seat, the backrest recline function isn't power-operated like the Lexus, but the lever is in an easy-to-use location where your hand naturally falls. The front seats in our test vehicle are hugely adjustable, including separately powered thigh supports for your right and left legs.

Add in a 2024 Top Safety Pick+—the best rating the IIHS offers—and the Lincoln goes from damn good to a smashing success. With a 600-mile hybrid-enabled range and a luxurious interior with interesting tech, the Nautilus hybrid is an easy SUV to love.