The Lincoln Nautilus is Going Hybrid for 2024

Lincoln’s sales have been in decline over the last few years, so the brand is in need of exciting new models to lift interest. Though the levels of “new” and “exciting” are debatable in the 2024 Nautilus, the model year marks the SUV’s entry to its third generation, bringing new styling and an available hybrid powertrain. 

A turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine comes standard, delivering 250 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. It sends power to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The available hybrid pairs a 100-kW electric motor with a turbo-four for a combined 310 horsepower. Hybrid Nautiluses come with a continuously variable transmission.

Adaptive suspension helps keep the SUV planted and improves the ride quality on broken pavement and rough surfaces. Lincoln equips five drive modes that include normal, conserve, excite, slippery, and deep, which alter throttle and steering response, suspension firmness, and other vehicle settings to provide the best traction possible. 

The new SUV gets massaged exterior styling with a new grille, updated headlights, and LED lighting elements. The iconic Lincoln star logo is illuminated, and the grille features handmade components. Lincoln integrated the door handles into the lower part of the windows, giving the SUV a uniform, almost futuristic look, and 19-inch wheels come standard. 

Lincoln dedicated much of the Nautilus update to its interior, where the space is available with three color schemes and two upscale Black Label themes. Buyers can choose between a black and grey color scheme, a smoked truffle scheme with earthy colors, and Reserve trim-exclusive black and blue scheme. Lincoln also offers the Black Label treatment for the Nautilus, which includes two interior theme choices. The Chalet Theme brings Silverwood trim and alpine Venetian leather upholstery with a cashmere headliner. In contrast, the Redwood Theme brings herringbone walnut trim, leather and suede upholstery, and a suede headliner.

An 11.1-inch touchscreen comes standard, running Lincoln’s fantastic Sync infotainment system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, and the automaker said the Nautilus offers a new digital interior experience with customizable lighting, screen displays, and other touches. The Lincoln Rejuvenate feature offers three in-cabin scents, including earthy and floral fragrances. 

We don’t have crash test results for the new Nautilus yet, but the 2022 model earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Lincoln Co-Pilot360 2.2 comes standard, which brings lane-keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, safe exit warnings, rear cross-traffic braking, and more. The SUV is also available with Lincoln BlueCruise, which offers hands-free semi-autonomous driving on highways. It comes with a 90-day trial and requires a subscription to continue after the initial period. 

The Chinese-built 2024 Lincoln Nautilus will likely have a starting price around the current model’s $45,000 base MSRP. Adding options and trims drives the price higher in a hurry, as the top Black Label trim currently starts at almost $70,000. Buyers may also consider the Cadillac XT5, which isn’t yet available with Super Cruise; the Genesis GV70, Volvo XC60, or Lexus RX.

[Image: Lincoln]

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