Overview The 2026 Nautilus Hybrid is a showcase for Lincoln’s luxury-car ethos. Its quiet cabin and laid-back road manners are designed to relax rather than excite. Although a nonhybrid model is also offered (we review it separately), we think the 310-hp hybrid setup better matches the Nautilus’s overall demeanor. Performance is adequate, but more importantly for the Nautilus’s mission, the powertrain operates seamlessly and relatively quietly. Interior comfort is high, and tech elements such as the four-foot-wide dashboard display bring a certain wow factor. But for features that are truly first class, consider splurging on the Black Label model, which has 24-way power-adjustable front seats, a cabin fragrance system, and a 28-speaker stereo system. What’s New for 2026?Only a few minor changes are in store for the Nautilus Hybrid this year. Its BlueCruise hands-free driving mode gets upgraded with an automatic lane-change feature, and a four-year trial subscription for an onboard Wi-Fi hotspot has been added. The Jet appearance package is available with a broader array of exterior colors, and Grey Matter Metallic replaces Lustrous Grey on the Nautilus’s spec sheet. Premiere models can now be had with a new Medium Light Space Grey interior scheme, while Reserve trims gain that same scheme plus another called Hot Chocolate. A new interior theme called Aurora is available on the loaded Black Label trim.Pricing and Which One to BuyThe price of the 2026 Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid is expected to start around $56,000 and go up to $79,000 depending on the trim and options.Premiere$56,000 (est)Reserve$65,000 (est)Black Label$79,000 (est)We’d go with the mid-range Reserve trim, which adds 21-inch wheels, an adaptive suspension system, a 14-speaker Revel stereo system, leather upholstery, a panoramic roof, heated outboard rear seats, and the aforementioned Rejuvenate feature. For buyers looking for a more noir look, the Jet Appearance package replaces the Nautilus Hybrid’s bright exterior chrome with a dark satin alternative and swaps the 21-inch wheels for 22s with a darker finish.Engine, Transmission, and Performance The Nautilus Hybrid is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four that gets help from two electric motors for a total output of 310 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission and all-wheel drive are standard. The Hybrid has an additional 60 horsepower on the nonhybrid model, which gets a 250-hp turbo four. Of the two powertrains, we think the hybrid suits the Nautilus’s cushy personality best. Its power delivery is silky smooth, which matches the Nautilus’s comfortable ride and quiet cabin. Handling is steady and a little more athletic when using the Excite driving mode, which dials in a firmer suspension setup. Doing so, however, allows more road imperfections to filter into the cabin, which distracts from the otherwise luxurious driving experience, something that we noted during a recent test of the Nautilus Hybrid.0–60-MPH TimesThe Nautilus Hybrid managed a reasonable 6.6-second run to 60 mph in our testing. Most drivers will find this perfectly suitable for daily driving needs, but it’s nowhere near as quick as the BMW X5 xDrive50e plug-in hybrid, which finished the 60-mph test in a sports car-like 3.9 seconds.More on the Nautilus Hybrid SUVTowing and Payload Capacity Towing isn’t the Nautilus Hybrid’s forte. With the optional Trailer Tow package, it’s rated to tow just 1750 pounds. Its rivals can all pull more, including the BMW X5 xDrive50e, which boasts a maximum towing capacity of 5952 pounds. Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGThe EPA hasn’t released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Nautilus Hybrid yet, but the 2025 model earned federal ratings of 30 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. On our real-world 75-mph highway fuel-economy route, though, the Nautilus Hybrid tied its nonhybrid counterpart at 30 mpg. For more information about the Nautilus’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoThe stylish cabin offers seating for five across two rows. While the base model comes nicely equipped, the Nautilus Hybrid can be optioned with several over-the-top luxury features. Remote keyless entry, 10-way-adjustable heated-and-ventilated front seats, and a leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel are all standard. The range-topping Black Label comes decked out with a cashmere headliner, premium leather upholstery, and massaging front seats, but the lower trims can be optioned with some of that fancy stuff too. Lincoln Rejuvenate is the available spa-in-a-car feature that’s intended to help you relax. It adjusts the interior lighting, seat position, seat heating, screen visuals, sounds, and massage settings. Three scent cartridges in the center armrest release aromas such as patchouli and fresh linen. We found that the Rejuvenate feature works surprisingly well, but it can only be enjoyed in its entirety while the vehicle is stationary. Luckily, the massage and fragrance features can be used separately while the Nautilus is underway. The Nautilus Hybrid also offers a 28-speaker Revel Ultima 3D audio system and 24-way power-adjustable seats.The Car and Driver DifferenceInfotainment and ConnectivityLincoln boasts that the 48.0-inch-wide display across the entire width of the Nautilus’s dashboard is class-leading, but with the tape measure turned vertically, it’s clear this is no IMAX theatre; it’s only several inches tall. While the widescreen layout is startling at first, you quickly adapt, and the system blends into the background, ultimately making it less distracting than a traditional infotainment setup. Besides the four-foot-wide screen, there’s an 11.1-inch infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the center console. From here, you can access radio controls, input navigation destinations, and make phone calls. The Nautilus comes with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, while Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant can perform tasks for you without having to touch the display.How to Buy and Maintain a CarSafety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesAll Nautilus models are equipped with Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 suite of driver-assistance features as standard. The Nautilus also comes standard with Lincoln’s BlueCruise hands-free highway driver-assist technology. For more information about the Nautilus’s crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-keeping assist with lane-departure warning
- Standard adaptive cruise control with a hands-free driving mode
Warranty and Maintenance CoverageAlthough the Nautilus’s powertrain warranty is longer than those of rivals like the Volvo XC90 and the Audi Q8, its bumper-to-bumper coverage doesn’t push the boundaries of what the rest of the segment offers. Paying for the expensive Black Label trim adds dealership perks such as four years of complimentary scheduled maintenance, an annual detailing service for the first four years of ownership, and a culinary concierge for restaurant reservations.
- Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
- Hybrid component warranty covers eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for four years or 50,000 miles
SpecificationsSpecifications
2024 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label Hybrid
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $77,345/$80,345
Options: Jet Appearance package (22-inch wheels in Satin Dark Luster Nickel, black and body color exterior trim), $3000
POWERTRAIN
turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve inline-4, 300 hp, 295 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, 134 hp, 236 lb-ft (combined output: 310 hp; 0.6-kWh (C/D est) lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmission: continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 13.6-in vented disc/12.6-in disc
Tires: Goodyear Eagle Touring
255/45R-22 107H M+S Sound Comfort
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 114.2 in
Length: 193.2 in
Width: 76.9 in
Height: 68.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/56 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 69/35 ft3
Curb Weight: 4714 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.6 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.9 sec @ 99 mph
100 mph: 15.2 sec
120 mph: 22.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.7 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 126 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.77 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 28 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 30 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 600 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 30/30/31 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
