LINCOLN

A Week With: 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label AWD

Lincoln has a long and storied history, but in recent years it hasn’t really part of the luxury vehicle conversation, which has gone off in different directions.

But Ford Motor Co’s luxury brand is determined to regain some of that luster and vehicles such as 2022 Lincoln Nautilus could serve as a step toward recovering some of that prestige, which has traditionally rested on being able to lean forward with styling and matching it with solid performance on the road.

Overview...Throughout the years, Ford also has proven it knows a thing or two about utility vehicles and in terms of seating, packaging and versatility, the five-seat Nautilus deserves some impressive marks, while offering a major dose of luxury, making it very competitive in upper end of the midsized utility market to compete competitors from Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. 

The competition is certainly daunting, but the Nautilus comes off surprisingly well thanks to its broad array of features and advanced technology.

Exterior...The exterior styling of utility vehicles, particularly in the midsized and full-sized categories, have similar silhouettes because they are basically designed from the inside out and share certain characteristics such as height and length. 

But the stylists for the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus display a deft touch in working with elements over which they have control such as the front fascia, front and rear light-fixtures, and 21-inch wheels so the Nautilus will leave a distinct visual impression at the curb or in traffic. The exterior is also embellished with a panoramic sunroof, hands-free lift gate and puddle lights, which help furnish the vehicle with a more distinctive appearance and rescue it from blandness.

Interior...One cannot help but be impressed with the well-furnished cabin of the 2022 Lincoln Nautilus with its artful array of distinctive materials. These are carefully brought together in one harmonious design, which helps relax the occupants from the moment they are planted behind the wheel or in the passenger seat. 

Lincoln uses a touchscreen to control heating and cooling as well as entertainment and navigation. The driver assistance and connectivity elements are nicely integrated into the interior’s scheme, which overall is quite luxurious with its Alcantara headliner and leather-wrapped steering wheel. The interior lighting scheme for night driving is user friendly. In addition, the seats are comfortable, visibility is excellent and there is plenty of storage. Passengers in the rear seats also enjoy plenty of room.

Powertrain...The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label is powered by a 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6, which is matched up with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain produced 335 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, and all-wheel drive is part of the package. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gives the 2022 Nautilus with the twin-turbo at combined rating of 21 mpg, including 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. 

Safety and Technology...The 2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label is equipped with multiple airbags, including a dual-stage airbags to protect front seat passengers plus side-impact airbags and a canopy for protection in rollover accidents. The vehicle also features Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 1.0, which includes driver assistance features such as blind-spot detection and rear-cross traffic alert.  

It also enjoys advanced parking assistance and advanced cruise control with lane centering. There is also a 360-degree camera, ambient lighting, steering wheel controls, and features such as Lincoln Connect with WiFi capability, Bluetooth, XM Radio and 13.2-inch touch screen for entertainment and navigation.

Driving Impressions...The power of the twin-turbo V-6 under the hood defines the performance of the Lincoln Nautilus Black Label. It has more than enough power to conquer the highway and the substantial torque comes into play while driving around town. I also found the Nautilus was quite maneuverable, and the ride-quality was very impressive over all kinds of road surfaces, including dirt and gravel.

All and all, the Nautilus quite effective in everyday situations it also was pleasant and fun to drive. The vehicles ambience and quiet cabin also made for more relaxing motoring.

Wrap Up...Lincoln offers additional benefits with the Black Label sub brand such as extra maintenance and a way to earn points for additional rewards, but the price tag for the Nautilus still seems steep for a midsized SUV.

In addition, the Nautilus appears to have been hidden in the automotive equivalent of witness protection since little advertising seems to have escaped Lincoln headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. I suspect the continuing semiconductor shortage has meant limited availability, which is too bad because I think the vehicle deserves wider distribution.

2022 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label AWD — Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE BLACK LABEL NAUTILUS?...The Nautilus is Lincoln’s new name for the SUV previously known as the MKX. Based on the Ford Edge, the Nautilus is one of the more pleasant models among luxury midsized SUVs. With responsive handling, comfortable ride, effortless acceleration, a plush interior, and a suite of standard advanced technology, it’s a formidable competitor that tends to fly under the radar.

HOW MUCH DOES A NAUTILUS COST?...Lincoln offers the 2022 Nautilus in three trim levels: Standard, Reserve and Black Label. Pricing starts at $43,595 including destination and tops out at $66,185 for the fully loaded Black Label.

WHAT POWERTRAINS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE LINCOLN NAUTILUS?...The Standard and Reserve are powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The Black Label packs a twin-turbo V-6, which is optional on the Reserve. All-wheel drive costs $2,500 on 4-cylinder models and comes standard with V-6. The AWD and V-6 combo costs $5,195 on the Reserve. Both engines use an 8-speed automatic transmission.

by Joseph Szczesny, Detroit-USA