Following the launch of the redesigned Lincoln Nautilus in the 2024 model year, that luxurious crossover has earned its fair share of awards and accolades – including landing on AdAge’s list of the hottest brands of the moment and securing MotorTrend’s 2025 SUV of the Year, while beating the Lexus RX in a comparison test and garnering praise from noted auto reviewer Doug DeMuro. Now, MotorTrend has pitted the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus against three of its rivals, and the stylish crossover has once again come out on top.
In this new comparison test, the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus was pitted against three mid-size luxury crossovers – the 2025 Acura MDX, Genesis GV80, and once again, the Lexus RX. All four are priced similarly – between $75,000 and $83,000 – and in this case, MT focused on what shoppers in this segment are looking for, which is, well, a luxurious experience. In that regard, the Lincoln Nautilus shined yet again. “The Lincoln is a different type of elegance on the inside,” said MT senior features editor Kristen Lee. “It feels like a business class lounge. Lots more spangly surfaces.”
MT also praised the Lincoln’s “plush, cloudlike ride,” noting that it “delivered the best ride quality of the group.” It isn’t the fastest vehicle in this test, but MT found its turbocharged 2.0L hybrid powertrain to be “punchy and efficient.” It wasn’t all perfect for the Nautilus, which was the only model in this group to lack a dedicated rear-seat climate zone, nor does it have a tailgate lock button. Its 22-inch wheels also ” introduce some tire noise and reduce the ride’s overall serenity just enough to be noticed,” while the brake pedal “lacks that critical end-of-stroke smoothness expected in a premium vehicle.”
Regardless, MT noted that the Nautilus is the best choice here, adding that “Lincoln has cracked the code on what makes a luxury SUV truly special.” The only question that remains, however, is whether or not Ford’s decision to continue building the Nautilus in China and importing it into the U.S. will eventually force it to raise prices, given current tariffs on such products.
Comments
Awesome. They should try to get the Corsair and Aviator to beat key rivals as well.
Agreed. And get the plug-in hybrid back, as well.
I always felt that Lincoln should expand on the Black Label (high luxury) idea with; “Green Label” (hybrid/EV) options and “Red Label” for more exciting (not to be read as “all-out performance”) options. The buying masses love being able to show off badges for a multitude of reasons.
It’s built in CHINA. Stop supporting the commies.
This is embarrassing. For you.
You support a commie…….. Donald Trump
Inflation down 0.4%, CPI down in March, Disposable income up, jobs available lowest # since September,….grow up.
GDP down 0.3% compared to 33 straight months of growth under Biden. But Trump blamed the GDP on Biden…which means that Biden also gets credit for inflation and CPI being down, disposable income up, and jobs?
The exterior styling is still clunky with the wedge rear need and tiny little brake lights . The coast to coast digital panel is ugly to me and the flat open space below it is odd. To truly be a luxury brand , Lincoln needs to build them in a dedicated plant in the USA , and offer more models and multiple styling. Having only 4 models ( soon to be 3 ) that all look alike is just pathetic.
The exterior styling is not “clunky.” I have no idea what you’re even referring to. What is the “wedge rear need”? And no, the brake lights aren’t tiny or little.
Your opinion of the coastal digital panel is one shared by almost no one else, and I’ve never seen a single other comment about “the flat open space” below the digital panel.
Try again.
I just took a 200 mile trip in a 2025 Nautilus as a front seat passenger (belonged to a friend of mine). I have to say it was nice. Quiet as a tomb. Very smooth ride. The hybrid setup was efficient, yet also plenty powerful, it seemed. Being built in China is the only drawback to me (I live in Kentucky, which is Ford country. We have three separate assembly plants in our state).
One word, China, forget it.
Interestingly enough, the 2025 Nautilus I have has a VIN that starts with 5 indicating it was built in the USA. But it wasnt. How does that work?