Lincoln Christens The Nautilus

Calm, collected and comfortable are the three words that can best describe our experience with Lincoln’s all-new Nautilus SUV. If you are not familiar with the Nautilus, that is because it was formerly known as the MKX. Throughout the last few years, the American luxury automaker has slowly phased out the coded tags in favour of more alluring appellations.

Our journey began at the Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, a luxurious resort hotel that is hidden in between the hills that surround the region. Like Lincoln, the hotel has enjoyed a resurgence from its recent restorations. The ground’s lush gardens exudes beauty and compliments the Mission Revival architecture that influenced much of the region during the early 20th century.

We found parallels from El Encanto’s furnishings within the interior of the Nautilus. The soft cappuccino coloured leather reminded us of the craftsman-style chaise in our room. From the accenting wood trimming, to the smooth aluminium fixings, and the tactile touchscreen – the Nautilus is an unfussy and straight-forward vehicle.

While some may prefer to ride in a drop-top in California, the Nautilus felt at ease in our hands on Santa Barbara’s sun drenched roads. Its elongated body resembled the yachts that are docked at the city’s harbour. Air flows effortlessly across the Nautilus’ curves just as the boats glide across the coast. When it comes to safety, technology such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive lane assist, forward collision mitigation, and a 360-degree camera come readily available.

In a segment where sport-oriented SUV’s are marketed heavily, the Nautilus never intended to join the foray. It is meant for the easy rider, the individual who opts for opulence as opposed to speed. However, with its standard 250-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four, it is fully capable of proving itself when the situation calls for it. There is also an upgraded twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6, which pumps out 335-horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. The drivetrain developed for this updated engine is an eight-speed automatic, which offers a wider gear spread than the previous six-speed and a more efficient drive.

To christen the Nautilus’ first voyage, we boarded an actual sailboat to celebrate the occasion. As we laid down on the deck to unwind, the massive white sails softened the midday sun. It was once we were out in the middle of the Pacific ocean that we began to better understand the inspiration for SUV’s nautical name. Like the ships that navigate the oceans, the Nautilus was designed to move at a measured pace, carry its passengers in comfort, and protect them from the elements that they encounter on their journey.

We were glad to be behind the wheel of the Nautilus for its maiden voyage.

Learn more about the Lincoln Nautilus here.

Words: Jon Carlo Tapia
Photography: Marcus Troy & Naskademini