2025 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label Yearlong Arrival: A Worthy SUV of the Year?

Not sure any of us had the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus on our bingo card to be named the 2025 MotorTrend SUV of the Year. It was one of those sleeper hits, one you drive, experience, and slowly fall in love with. The midsize SUV kept inching up the leaderboard during the SUV of the Year competition and, in the end, won the most votes from our discerning judges.

Now comes my turn. I get to chaperone our new 2025 Nautilus during our yearlong loan to see how it performs in the real world. That means snow, sleet, rain, and brilliant sunshine. It also means short commutes and long hauls, with a number of editors behind the wheel from its new home at our Detroit office.

It is an assignment I relish. I was impressed with the five-passenger Nautilus at the first drive event and again during our SUV of the Year judging. Our new Nautilus comes in Whisper Blue Metallic, a lovely nod to the assorted cabins along Lake Huron and other parts of northern Michigan it’s expected to visit. It looks elegant with the black roof, sophisticated grille, and 22-inch wheels.

See All 31 Photos31

Under the Hood

Getting us there is a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4, which is paired with two electric motors via a planetary CVT. The 250-hp, 280-lb-ft gas engine and an e-power combine for 300 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, helping the Lincoln achieve an EPA-rated 30/31/30 mpg city/highway/combined.

This third-generation Nautilus rides on a new platform (a modified version of the one used by the smaller Lincoln Corsair) and it has grown a bit in size from the previous-generation version. Our range-topping 2025 Nautilus Black Label has standard mechanical all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension, and a host of safety features with Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 to steer, brake, accelerate, warn, assist, park, and basically do all it can to prevent collisions. This trim also includes four years of BlueCruise hands-free highway driving assist, which we will put to the test on road trips north.

See All 31 Photos31

Inside the Oasis

Our Nautilus Black Label’s interior comes in Chalet Venetian white leather, a nod to the ski trips we hope it will take. Once inside, all eyes are on the 48-inch screen that stretches the full width of the vehicle. It’s massive, but it’s not overwhelming. Lincoln thoughtfully squared the top and bottom of the steering wheel to better see the screen in front of the driver.

Amenities include the heated seats, steering wheel, mirrors, and wipers. Front seats are also ventilated and provide excellent massage. It also has a panoramic sunroof with power shade and privacy glass and a hands-free liftgate. Sound comes from the excellent 28-speaker Revel audio system. Lincoln Rejuvenate is a multisensory experience when parked that creates a mood with lighting, music, climate settings, graphics on the giant screen, and aromatherapy while reclining in the massaging seat to relax and then invigorate you.

Being a Black Label top trim, this Nautilus starts at $76,545 and is pretty much loaded. Our $2,750 in options covered the extra $750 for the paint color and $2,000 for the hybrid powertrain, for a total cost of $79,295. Our mission: to determine if it’s worth the price and on course to help Lincoln return to its past glory as an aspirational luxury brand.

See All 31 Photos31