The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus in New Orleans LA pitches the former Lincoln MKX back into the cars-with-real-names class. It’s a mid-size, two-row crossover SUV with healthy dollops of luxury trim, especially in its top trim levels.
Lincoln has renamed the Lincoln MKX, its midsize crossover SUV, the Lincoln Nautilus. The name change alone is welcome — buyers sometimes found it difficult to remember what vehicle each of Lincoln's series of names referred to. Yet there's more going on than a simple badge replacement with the new 2019 Lincoln Nautilus.
What’s new on the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus?
The Lincoln Nautilus adopts a bolder look up front. Most prominent is a new grille, which is similar to those found on the brand's latest vehicles such as the Lincoln Continental and the Lincoln Navigator. Behind the grille is a new turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower that replaces last year's 303-hp V6. The horsepower will make the vehicle more fuel-efficient. A 335-hp 2.7-liter turbocharged V6 is still available should you think the Lincoln Nautilus needs more thrust.
Lincoln has also added a few new technology and safety features to the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus near New Orleans LA, such as a digital gauge cluster and automatic emergency evasive steering. The rest of the vehicle is mostly unchanged. Just like the Lincoln MKX, it is quiet on the highway, the seats are comfortable, and the suspension proficiently soaks up bumps and ruts. With seating for five, this new-ish Lincoln Nautilus should provide ample comfort and style for all its occupants. The vehicle serves as a viable alternative to other midsize luxury crossovers.
Feel comfortable on any ride
New bushings and adaptive dampers on all Lincoln Nautilus models aim to improve ride comfort. Reserve and Black Label trim levels also get selectable driving modes—Comfort, Normal, and Sport—which alter the damping and the steering effort.
Exterior
One of the largest and most noticeable differences between the Lincoln Nautilus and the Lincoln MKX is exterior styling. The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus near New Orleans LA has an appearance that resembles the bigger Lincoln Navigator. With what Lincoln calls a "star mesh" grille, new headlights and a whole new front fascia, the Lincoln Nautilus brings Lincoln's new corporate face to the midsize-crossover segment.
Interior
The interior of the Lincoln Nautilus looks familiar, as it shares a lot of the same elements with the Lincoln MKX, but that's not a bad thing. It dons a handsome and functional interior with a sloping center stack, which makes for better ergonomics when you reach for the controls. Both are available with luxurious interior appointments like leather seats, wood interior trim and a sunroof.
One thing that's new for the 2019 Lincoln Nautilus is a 12.3-in LCD instrument panel, similar to the one found in the dash of the Lincoln Navigator. This customizable screen adds a premium touch to your drive and reminds you you're driving a luxury vehicle.
As for passenger and cargo space, you can expect very similar interior dimensions between the Lincoln MKX and the Lincoln Nautilus. There's plenty of legroom in both rows of seats, but the sloping rear roofline, while stylish, cuts into rear headroom a little. Cargo space is about average for this segment.