You Have to See This to Believe it: The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Fast Forwards the Future to Now
Scotty Reiss
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Lincoln is getting serious about innovative luxury.
When I arrived to see the new Lincoln Nautilus, completely redesigned for 2024, I was excited to see the front grille of this luxury SUV lit up like a beacon: the Lincoln badge glows from the center of a light bar that spans a new mesh grille.
It looked fresh and modern.
And then, I got a look inside the Nautilus and my jaw dropped.
It has a wall to wall, full span 48” screen that replaces everything we have ever seen on a dashboard before. The Coast to Coast screen, as they call it, sits elegantly set on a “shelf” of leather between the windshield and the lower dash. It actually covers more than simply “wall to wall;” the screen connects with light panels on the doors, then sweeps along the pillars between the doors and windshield, connecting two flat panels that form the expansive screen. And, it’ll be standard on all trim levels.
Lighted door panels on the Lincoln Nautilus extend the energy of screen, creating an embracing effect. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The effect is embracing and intimate. It’s truly a command center, but also, designed to be whatever you want it to be: Energizing, relaxing, or if you must, muted. Yes, you can turn most of it off if you would like (we all have those days).
Needless to say, it’s not a touch screen. You can control the Coast to Coast display by touching a second screen set lower on the dash. Here you can set up screen themes, displays or hit the “calm” tab to turn off all but the key driver information. You can set the radio station, navigation and more. There are fixed icons for climate controls at the bottom of the screen, so while these functions are on a screen, they are always displayed.
Related: 2022 Lincoln Navigator Review: This Big Boy Will Wow You
This panel under the center arm rest is where Lincoln’s fragrance pods plug in; pop up to 3, and choose the fragrance you want when you want; you can alternate between them. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Maybe the Best Feature? Rejuvenate Mode—and a Fragrance Diffuser
I can’t say enough how much we LOVE this: a fragrance diffuser is built into the center arm rest. Buyers can add up to 3 fragrance pods and choose the fragrance they want at the moment. This is huge: you can switch fragrances any time you want.
Have a back seat full of smelly lacrosse players? No worries; blend it out of the air with the woody notes of Mystic Forest. Last night’s take out dinner smelled delicious at the time, but a day later? Not so much. Chase it away with Ozonic Azure’s patchouli and bright violet. Need to take a serious deep breath after a long, stressful day? Add the crisp florals and violets of Violet Cashmere and the full Rejuvenate mode; instantly you’ll have a relaxing scent, a massaging seat, calm lighting and relaxing music to inspire deep, cleansing breaths.
Don’t like any of those scents, or want to create your own custom set? Lincoln execs would not directly answer the question when I asked if customization would be an option, but the coy “can’t talk about what’s in development” leads me to believe something is in the works, so stay tuned for more. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Jo Malone or Nest to be in the mix, but we may also see Serena Williams attached, too.
Related: Can That New Car Smell Last Forever? Meet the In-Car Fragrance Diffuser
Steering wheel control touch pads don’t have icons to indicate the function; instead, it’s displayed on the screen – in that small box to the right of the speedometer. Touch the pad and the function you’re touching lights up. It’s brilliant. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Hey, Alexa…?
If you thought all these cool features were the end, well, guess again. Lincoln is simply stuffing the new system with every available tech platform: Apple CarPlay, Android Auto – both connect wirelessly– as well as Google Maps, Google Play and of course, Alexa. You can connect your phone and use your own maps with stored locations, or use the Lincoln’s maps.
You can connect your own tunes or use the built in apps on the system. And you can get your messages and make calls on your phone.
Related: Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: How to Get the Most Popular In-Car Phone Systems
The cabin of the Lincoln Nautilus Reserve Edition. Notice the steering wheel is flat on top and bottom, allowing better visibility of the driver screen and the road ahead. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Over-the-air Updates Will Enhance the Experience
It’s easy to see how this incredible new system is just getting started, and how it can easily be improved with enhanced graphics, more features and additional clever details. To facilitate that, Lincoln will offer over the air updates to customers using 5G connectivity, so just as with your phone and computer, the system will update as enhancements become available.
The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Platinum Hybrid in Chroma Caviar. Photo: Scotty Reiss
New Power Under the Hood
Lest we get caught up in all the excitement around the technology, the Nautilus has been upgraded with a new 4 cylinder turbo engine that generates 250 horsepower, and a more powerful hybrid model that generates 310 horsepower; this will replace the V6 option that generated 335 HP in prior models.
The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve turbo edition in Runway Red with the Jet appearance package of black roof and accent details. Photo: Scotty Reiss
The idea here is power or more power; 250 HP is fine for a 5-passenger mid-size SUV; but 310 HP that is quiet and more fuel efficient is even better.
Lincoln’s goal with the hybrid option is a swift and powerful driving experience over fuel efficiency, though, it should be more fuel efficient than the average 22 MPG prior models were estimated to get.
The command center with gear selector buttons, drive assist and volume control. Photo: Scotty Reiss
More Assistance On the Road
The Nautilus will have Lincoln’s standard Co-Pilot 360 system of driver assist and safety features, including lane departure assist, adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring. And then, Lincoln will make Lincoln Blue Cruise 1.2 hands free driving system available, too (it’s standard on the Reserve and Black Label models); this allows drivers to relax their hands and take their feet off the pedals on most mapped, limited access highways.
The new tail lights and Lincoln nameplate on the Nautilus. Photo: Scotty Reiss
Quiet Flight…in a Tech-drenched Cockpit
Lincoln’s mission is to give drivers all the tech, features and comforts we need to make every outing a delight, whether you’re driving to the coast or to Costco. They call it “Quiet Flight” and it’s a great description of the experience: intuitive, tailored and effortless. No doubt the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus will deliver that and more in its luxury laden, leather-outfitted trim level lineup.
Pricing hasn’t been released; we’ll have to wait until later this year to know more. And to finally experience that incredible “coast to coast” multimedia screen.
The new front end of the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus. Photo: Scotty Reiss