[Taboleo] "Top-tier comfort in vision, space, and even fragrance"

Test Drive Review of the New Lincoln Nautilus

Lincoln, the premium brand of the American automaker Ford, has launched the new mid-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) Nautilus after five years. It is the first complete redesign since its domestic release in 2019. The exterior has been refined to look more modern, and the interior has transformed to appear more futuristic. Leading with a 48-inch display, the spacious interior is filled with meticulous touches even in the smallest details.

◆Is this really an American car?…Smooth and sophisticated interior and exterior= The new Nautilus measures 4,910 mm in length, 1,950 mm in width, and 1,735 mm in height. The wheelbase is 2,900 mm. The length has increased by 85 mm compared to the previous generation. The height and width have also expanded by 35 mm and 15 mm respectively. The wheelbase, which indicates interior space, has grown by 50 mm. Despite being a mid-size SUV, its size is closer to the Genesis GV80 than the GV70 from Hyundai.

The design element that runs through the vehicle is the horizontal line. The stability given by the horizontal lines makes the larger body appear far from bulky. A horizontal chrome bar stretches across the grille and headlights at the front. The rear lights also extend horizontally in a long line. The side door handles are aligned with the window frame, presenting a clean and uncluttered look.

Lincoln New Nautilus Interior View

The interior is also filled with horizontal lines. The first thing that catches the eye is the expansive 48-inch display that stretches from the driver’s seat to the passenger seat. It serves as the instrument cluster showing speed, tire pressure, and various music and navigation information. Unlike the large displays popular recently, it is positioned just below the front windshield. Of course, there is also an 11.1-inch display mounted on the center fascia.

The gear selector, inspired by piano keys, is unique. The knob for controlling the audio was designed based on sunlight reflected on water. Particularly, every button is finely grooved, a detail rarely seen even in luxury cars. The “digital scent” feature also sets it apart from other vehicles. It has cartridges that emit three different fragrances, which can be set to release scent every time the engine starts or at regular intervals. This strategy aims to captivate customers’ senses beyond sight, space, and sound, extending to smell.

◆Heavy and comfortable driving feel…Fuel efficiency also holds up= I drove about 100 km round trip from Ilsan in Gyeonggi Province to Gwanghwamun, Gangnam, and Yeouido in Seoul. The driving experience was calm, just like the comfortable interior. The new Nautilus is equipped with a 2.0L GTDi engine producing up to 252 horsepower and 38 kgf·m of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Although the output is lower than the old model’s 2.7L V6 gasoline turbo engine with 333 horsepower, it was hard to feel any lack of power in daily driving. Given its size, it is not agile, but pressing the accelerator to overtake increased speed smoothly without strain.

The ride quality is heavy and smooth. Especially when passing over rough roads, its ability to absorb vibrations and shocks was excellent. Even somewhat high speed bumps were crossed smoothly as if a large battleship was floating. This is thanks to adaptive suspension technology that adjusts the suspension’s vertical travel based on 12 sensors detecting uneven road surfaces. Being a tall SUV, it naturally has limitations compared to sedans in terms of stability, but body roll was minimal even during sharp cornering.

The adaptive cruise control also performed adequately. On Jayuro, a road crowded with vehicles during rush hour, it maintained the lane and naturally adjusted the distance to the car ahead. The fuel efficiency recorded over about 100 km was 10.1 km/L, exceeding the official combined fuel economy of 9 km/L. It has the size, performance, and appearance suitable for use as a family car. Already, sales from January to April this year reached 409 units, accounting for nearly half of Lincoln’s total sales of 989 units during the same period. Meanwhile, the launch price of the new Nautilus is 77.4 million KRW (including VAT, based on a 5.0% individual consumption tax).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.