In an attempt to to freshen things and make the lineup more appealing, the MKX, a nameplate thats been around since 2007, becomes the Nautilus. Its good to see them going back to actual vehicle names instead of the alphanumeric crap we’ve had from everyone for over 2 decades now.
The lineup is pretty simple. There are 3 trim levels: base, Select, Reserve, and posh Black Label. There are also 2 engine options that are carryovers: a base 2.0 turbo I4 and optional 2.7 twin turbo V6.
The base model comes standard with Sync3, 18 in wheels, a rear camera (which shouldn’t even be touted as its now standard on every new vehicle on the market) and a rear sensing system. You cant get the twin turbo V6 on the base model sadly, but you can get AWD.
Compared to other makes such as Cadillac, Lincoln is more generous with the exterior color choices for their base model. There are 10 exterior color options on this model. 5 of which are a $695 option.The others are no charge. I choose black of course. There are no interior packages aside from a cargo net and floor mat package for $275. There are no exterior wheel options either. The base model comes standard with the 18 in aluminum wheels I mentioned before. The only other exterior options are an engine block heater for $100 and a roof rails for $195. There was also a rear bumper protector. I choose none of these.
Interior wise, the vehicle is honestly a carry over and to me is the weak point. Its literally unchanged from the MKX and shows how lazy they got. Why they didn’t bother with making the interior more inline with the gorgeous interiors of the upcoming Aviator, Navigator and Continental I’ll never get.
Seat color choices are limited to 2: Black and Cappuccino. They are covered in what I assume isn’t leather as they are described as “Luxury Soft Touch”. Surprisingly, there is a rear seat entertainment system with with DVD player and wireless headphones. With DVD’s going the way of the dinosaur I’m not sure why some kind of Bluetooth streaming option isn’t available. I added it nonetheless because son.
All in, a base Nautilus with some of its sparse options will set you back $43,330;$45,825 with AWD. Not bad. But trust me, it gets pricer.
Next up is the Select trim. Starting at $44,545 It builds on the base by coming standard with 18 in bright aluminum wheels, LED fog lights, nav system and actual leather seats. This trim also sees the availability of the twin turbo V6, but I didnt add it to this trim.
Exterior wise on this trim, I added one of the colors that were $695, a nice deep burgundy color that seems to be popular with the AARP crowd and crossovers. This trim also comes with some option packages for the exterior:
- A class III traliering package for $630
- The same dumb cargo and mat package for $275
- A cargo utility package for $365
- And something called the Lincoln Nautilus climate package for $785. It comes with heated rear seats, heated wheel, rain sensing wipers and a windshield deicer.
I didnt add any of these things though the Climate package was appealing. But I wouldn’t need the de-icer or heated wheel.
The trim also gets the availability of a 20 in wheel option for $555. Inside on the Select trim, it gets the option of a Panoramic Vista Roof for $1700. With it having real leather, it gets another seat color as well: Cappuccino. It also gets a 13 speaker HD audio system as an option as well for $1175. All in, a fully loaded Nautilus Select is $51,660; nearly $55 large with AWD.
The next trim is the Reserve. Its the top trim before the Black Label. Starting at $48,475, it comes standard with the things the Select trim has as options, like the Vista roof, 20 in wheels and heated seats. Like the Select, you can also add the twin turbo V6 to this trim, which I did.
Option packages, the Reserve has 2 that arent on the others: a Drivers Asistance package for $1590 that comes with:
- Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop-and-Go and Lane Centering
- • Adaptive Steering
- • Collision Mitigation System - includes Distance Alert/Distance Indication, Dynamic Brake Support, Evasive Steer Assist, Forward Collision Warning
A Technology Package for $1720 that comes with:
- Enhanced Active Park Assist
- • Front Park Aid Sensors
- • 360-Degree Camera (includes rear camera wash)
I thought the camera wash is a nice feature. I added both of these packages. The biggest package though is the Ultimate package. For $4160 it comes with:
- • 21-Inch Premium-Painted Ultra-Bright Machined-Aluminum Wheels
- • 265/40R21 All-Season Gen-2 Tires
- • Dynamic LED Signature Lighting with Cornering Lamps
- • Full LED Multi-Projector Headlamps
- • Revel® Ultima Audio System with nineteen (19) speakers and HD Radio™
All in a Reserve trim will set you back an eye watering $61,405; $63,405 with AWD. And for some reason, you cant get Lincolns fancy 22 way power seats (which are a $1500 option) with the rear entertainment system. Weird.
The mother of all trims is the Black Label. Starting at $61,460, like other Black Label trims it comes in 3 themes: Chalet, Gala and Thoroughbred. I choose Thoroughbred. It comes with :
- Appliqués – Chilean Maple Open Pore
- • Leather-Wrapped Interior – Jet Black with Chestnut Leather IP and Console
- • Specialty Leather Seats – Jet Black with Diamond-L Perforation with Terra Cotta Accent Stitch
- • Headliner – Jet Black Alcantara®
- • Floor Carpets/Mats – Jet Black with Alcantara® Accent
All in, a fully loaded Black Label Nautilus is pretty much $70 grand. That’s a lot of change for something with an interior pretty much unchanged since 2013. Im sure though Lincoln will find plenty of buyers who long for something more,than an XT5 or RX350?