Ford’s premium brand Lincoln introduced a new facelift for the second generation of the Nautilus in late 2020 as a 2021 model year, and the changes were not just cosmetic.
After switching from a three-letters name to a full name, Lincoln took a different approach to design and technological improvements in its lineup. The Nautilus was the successor of the MKX, which was introduced in 2016. In 2018 it changed its name and its look. Just two years later, the mid-sized SUV was refreshed once again.

Some might say that the new grille design resembled the one existing on the Bentley Bentayga, with the mesh-look and the vertical cross-hair badge in the middle. The headlights, though, were a different story, with their elongated shape.

Inside, Lincoln installed a new, 13.2” screen on top of the center stack. It was fitted with the SYNC4 system and a phone as a key technology. Some considered it too tall, but it surely was visible for everyone in the car, and maybe for those behind it. Due to the horizontal lines and dashboard design, it looked wider inside than it was. The roomy cabin was fit for up to five, with three headrests in the back.

Under the hood, the Nautilus featured a choice of two turbocharged engines: a four-pot and a V6 mill. Unlike its predecessor, all versions were paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, instead of six as it were on the 2018 model.

After switching from three-letter names to full names, Lincoln changed the former MKX into Nautilus.
But it wasn’t just a name change. It was a different car.

American luxury vehicles usually meant big cars. In that segment of luxury, Lincoln was always present with either the Town Car limousine or the Navigator. But sometimes, a luxury car doesn’t have to be huge or big. The Germans proved it with the GLC or BMW proved it with the X3. Considering this, Lincoln returned on the market with a compact SUV that entered directly against the midsize luxury SUVs.

Since Lincoln returned with its beloved and traditional way of naming the cars, it had to do it with something that had an appeal on a fast-growing segment in the market and that was the midsize SUV. The big grille in the front with chromed details and the LED headlights were imposing on the road.

Inside, there was the classic American luxury vehicle, with leather, wood and aluminum trim. The instrument cluster was a 12.3” TFT display and the gearbox was controlled via buttons on the top of the center console. The infotainment system was Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible.

The Nautilus was offered with two engine options mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission only.