2022 Lincoln Nautilus Pros vs Cons

The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus is powerful, sophisticated, and roomy. To some buyers, it offers everything that they could want from a luxury SUV. As an athletic model that can come with a few different powertrains, the handling on the Nautilus is great. Beyond that, it treats passengers to many high-end amenities. The three trims are the Standard, Reserve, and Black Label, with the Black Label being quite refined.

What's New for 2022?

Only minor changes have been made for the 2022 model year. First, a few new exterior color choices have been added to the list, and they include Artisan Blue, Iced Mocha, Red Carpet, and Chroma Elite Copper. Then, there are two new available packages. One is called the Premium package, and it gives the SUV 18-inch wheels, navigation, and a power-adjustable steering wheel, among other things. The other is the Luxury package, which adds a hands-free liftgate, a premium sound system, and remote capability to the Reserve's collections of features.

Ten Reasons You May Like the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus – The Pros

1. Two Powerful Engines Are Available

Customers will get to decide which of the turbocharged engines would suit them best. The entry-level engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter model that can make 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. It has direct injection and twin independent variable camshaft timing to enhance its performance.

The other engine is a twin-turbocharged V6 that has a displacement of 2.7 liters. Its enhanced design gives it the ability to make 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, so it's clearly the superior engine. The Standard trim comes with the 2.0-liter turbo engine, the Reserve can have either engine, and the Black Label is equipped with the twin-turbo. All-wheel drive is optional on the first two trims and standard on the third one.

2. Driving Is Smooth

When someone drives a Lincoln Nautilus after having driven a run-of-the-mill car or SUV, the difference in driving can be noticeable. The Lincoln Nautilus benefits from having electric power-assisted steering and available adaptive suspension, which can really even things out. With Active Noise Control, engine noise and other noises are blocked out, and as a result, the cabin feels so peaceful.

3. An Eye-Catching Exterior

The Lincoln Nautilus has an upscale style, with sculpted contours and an athletic stance. Just by looking at it, people will know that it's a luxury model that has high-quality components. Full LED headlamps and LED dynamic signature lighting are standard, as are LED taillamps with LED reverse lamps. These types of lights really enhance the modern nature of the vehicle. The Black Label has full LED multi-projector headlamps that are of even higher quality, and it has special badging.

What's also cool is that the side mirrors in all trims can automatically fold in when the engine is turned off. The bold front grille with the Lincoln logo can attract attention, too. Depending on the trim, the SUV can ride on 18-inch, 20-inch, or 21-inch wheels that all have stylish designs.

4. Impressive Technology

In this vehicle, people can stay connected and informed, thanks to cutting edge technology. The 13.2-inch touchscreen is certainly a bonus feature. It has SYNC 4 technology that includes smartphone compatibility, and it comes with SiriusXM with 360L Satellite Radio. Navigation is standard on the top two trims and available on the first one in the lineup. Other available components are wireless charing and a rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones.

There's another large screen located behind the steering wheel. It measures 12.3 inches and shows all kinds of data that can keep a driver informed. To keep devices charged, the SUV has smart charging USB ports, and the Reserve and Black Label have wireless charging.

5. An Excellent Sound System

The Standard trim has ten speakers, one of which is a subwoofer to add depth to the audio quality. The Reserve can be upgraded with either a 13-speaker Revel system or a 19-speaker Revel Ultima audio system, both of which have HD Radio Technology. That last system, the one with the 19 speakers, is found in the Black Label. It really enhances the experience of listening to music or a podcast while on the road.

6. Making Drivers Feel Welcome

The entire experience of driving a Lincoln Nautilus is memorable. When someone walks up to the vehicle, soft lights can automatically illuminate and a Lincoln logo can be projected onto the ground in front of the door. This is possible thanks to the Lincoln Embrace system and a smart key. With remote start, the engine could already be on and the cabin could already be comfortable before passengers get in. When it's time to drive, the piano key shifter is so simple to use, and it adds such elegance to the cabin.

7. Comfortable and Luxurious Seating

There's room for five in the Lincoln Nautilus. The Standard has Lincoln Soft Touch seats, and the synthetic leather looks quite nice. With this trim, the front seats are power adjustable and have power lumbar. Plus, the driver's seat has a memory function and the rear seatback has an EasyFold release.

In the Reserve, there are Bridge of Weir Deepsoft leather seats that feel so soft and look elegant. In this trim, the front seats are heated and ventilated, and the rear outboard seats are heated as well. The Black Label has similar features, but it has Venetian leather seats. The top two trims are both available with Ultra Comfort front seats with Active Motion, which is a massage function.

8. Advanced Safety Systems

This SUV is equipped with Lincoln Co-Pilot360 1.0 Plus technology. This safety suite gives the Lincoln a full array of driver-assist systems. They include adaptive cruise control with lane centering, automatic emergency braking with pre-collision warning, lane-keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring. This makes it much easier to stay aware of potential problems. If a driver isn't able to take the appropriate action in time, then the vehicle has the potential to make the necessary adjustments to steering and braking.

9. Black Label Is a Level Above the Rest

If anyone wants a super sophisticated vehicle, the Black Label would fit the bill. This trim not only has the better engine and nicer seats, it also has a number of other advanced features. It's the only trim to come standard with LED fog lamps, a hands-free liftgate, a 360-degree camera, and adaptive suspension.

It's also the only trim to come standard with Phone As A Key. This program allows one's smartphone to be used as a smart key fob. It's optional on the Reserve, but not available on the Standard.

10. A Spacious Cabin

Second-row leg room in this vehicle is almost 40 inches, which is pretty generous. Adults can be happy riding in the back of this model, even though the front seats are going to be more coveted because of their lumbar support and available heating and ventilation. The rear cargo area has a volume of 37.2 cubic feet, and cargo capacity when the rear seats are lowered is 68.8 cubic feet. This makes the Lincoln Nautilus a practical choice for those who need the interior space that a mid-size SUV offers.

Reasons You May Not Like the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus – The Cons

1. It's Not Cheap

With a starting price of more than $42,000, the Lincoln Nautilus isn't exactly budget-friendly. It probably won't be an option for those who don't want to spend too much money on their next vehicles. The Reserve comes along with a modest price jump of about $6,000, and the Black Label's price increases all the way up to about $65,000. Most would agree that this is a steep price to pay.

2. Only Traditional Engines

Each year, consumers seem to be more interested in hybrids and plug-in hybrids. At this point, the Lincoln Nautilus isn't available with either type of powertrain. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine gets an estimated 21/26 (city/highway) miles per gallon, and the twin-turbo engine achieves an estimated 19/25 miles per gallon. These numbers aren't so bad, but they're nowhere near what hybrids can do.

3. Some Features Are Only Optional

It's a bit surprising that certain components aren't standard on the Lincoln Nautilus, which is considered to be a luxury vehicle. For example, paddle shifting and ambient lighting aren't included on all trims, nor are heated front seats. Some competitors may have slightly more to offer in this regard.

How It Stacks Up to the Competition:

2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Audi Q5

Audi's Q5 has a similar style to the Lincoln Nautilus. However, it doesn't have as much rear-seat leg room as the Lincoln does. The Q5 is smaller than the Lincoln in other dimensions, and this could affect overall passenger comfort in addition to giving it less cargo room than the Lincoln Nautilus has.

2022 Lincoln Nautilus vs 2022 Volvo XC60

The XC60 has many refined elements, but again, it's not as large as the Lincoln Nautilus is. To some customers, cargo space is going to be an important factor because they plan on carrying bikes, skis, or other types of gear in their cabins. In terms of power, it's not so clear cut. The XC60 does have a plug-in hybrid that's very powerful, but the non-hybrid XC60 doesn't do as well. It doesn't have much power as the Lincoln has when it's been equipped with the twin-turbo engine.

Conclusion

For anyone who wants to drive a luxury SUV that has a good amount of capability and plenty of style, the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus would be a nice choice. It handles itself well, and the cabin is packed with features that can keep most people pleased.