The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus was not an all-new SUV, but it represented one of the most polished versions of Lincoln’s first-generation luxury crossover. By its final model year, the Nautilus had gained a more upscale cabin, better technology, stronger driver-assistance features and a wider selection of comfort equipment than the model that originally replaced the MKX.
That makes the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus particularly interesting today. It sits at the end of a development cycle rather than the beginning of one, carrying years of updates into a single package.
For shoppers comparing an older Nautilus with the 2023 model, these are the changes that matter most.
1. The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus Had a Far More Modern Cabin
The biggest improvement wasn’t something visible from outside. It was the interior.
Lincoln redesigned the Nautilus cabin during its earlier refresh, giving the SUV a cleaner dashboard, better materials and a more contemporary layout. The result was a noticeably more upscale environment than the earlier versions.
The 2023 model benefited from that work, with a cabin that placed greater emphasis on comfort rather than trying to imitate a sports SUV.
For a luxury crossover intended to spend much of its life commuting or covering highway miles, that approach made sense.
2. Its Infotainment System Took a Big Step Forward
Technology had become an increasingly important part of the luxury-SUV experience, and Lincoln responded with a substantially larger touchscreen.
The Nautilus featured a 13.2-inch center display running Ford’s SYNC 4 system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were also available, making everyday smartphone integration considerably easier.
The improvement is especially noticeable when comparing the 2023 model with older Nautilus examples. The newer interface looks and feels much closer to what buyers expected from a contemporary luxury vehicle.
3. Lincoln Added More Useful Driver Assistance
The Nautilus also became more sophisticated in the safety department.
Lincoln’s Co-Pilot360 technology brought together several driver-assistance systems, including automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assistance and other collision-avoidance features.
Available Co-Pilot360 Plus equipment went further, adding features such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability and lane-centering assistance.
These systems didn’t make the Nautilus autonomous, but they reduced some of the workload during highway driving and helped bring the SUV closer to newer competitors.
4. Buyers Could Still Get a Powerful V6
One of the more interesting things about the 2023 Nautilus is what Lincoln chose not to eliminate.
Instead of relying exclusively on a small four-cylinder engine, the SUV continued to offer a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6.
The V6 produced 335 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque, giving the Nautilus substantially more muscle than the standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which produced 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft.
That extra output wasn’t necessary for everyday driving, but it gave buyers an appealing alternative to the increasingly common four-cylinder luxury crossover.
5. All-Wheel Drive Added Everyday Versatility
The availability of all-wheel drive gave the Nautilus another advantage for buyers who wanted additional traction.
It was useful for drivers dealing with heavy rain, snow or slippery roads, although the Nautilus remained primarily a road-going luxury SUV rather than an off-road vehicle.
For families and commuters, that distinction matters. The SUV’s strengths were comfort, space and easy highway driving, with AWD adding another layer of confidence when conditions deteriorated.
6. The Ride Was Tuned for Comfort
Lincoln didn’t try to turn the Nautilus into a rival for a performance-oriented BMW or Mercedes-Benz SUV.
Instead, the company leaned into a softer, quieter driving experience.
The suspension was designed to absorb road imperfections, while available adaptive suspension technology could adjust the vehicle’s behavior according to driving conditions.
That made the Nautilus particularly well suited to long journeys. Its personality was closer to a comfortable highway cruiser than a corner-carving crossover.
7. Luxury Features Went Well Beyond the Basics
The Nautilus offered a surprisingly extensive list of available comfort features.
Depending on configuration, buyers could get heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic roof, wireless smartphone charging and a hands-free power liftgate.
The available Perfect Position front seats were another standout feature. With extensive adjustment capability and available massage functions, they reinforced Lincoln’s focus on occupant comfort.
These details became increasingly important as luxury buyers began expecting premium features even in midsize SUVs.
8. The Available Revel Audio System Added Another Layer of Luxury
Lincoln also gave the Nautilus a premium audio option through its Revel sound system.
Higher-end configurations could be equipped with a 19-speaker Revel Ultima system, turning the cabin into a much more sophisticated listening environment.
It may not be the feature that sells the SUV by itself, but it fits the overall character of the Nautilus. The vehicle was designed around quiet cruising, and a high-quality audio system complemented that mission.
9. The Base Model Became Easier to Equip
For 2023, Lincoln made the Premium Package available on the Nautilus Standard trim.
That gave buyers more flexibility without necessarily forcing them into a higher trim level simply to obtain a handful of desirable convenience features.
Among the equipment associated with the package were 18-inch machined aluminum wheels, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a universal garage-door opener and built-in navigation.
It was a relatively small change, but one that could make the entry-level Nautilus more attractive to buyers who wanted additional equipment.
10. The Final Model Year Benefited From Years of Refinement
Perhaps the biggest advantage of the 2023 Nautilus was simply its position in the product cycle.
The SUV had been on the market long enough for Lincoln to refine its design, technology and equipment strategy. By 2023, buyers were getting the mature version of the first-generation model rather than an early example with older technology.
Lincoln also added Jewel Sandstone as a new exterior color for 2023, giving customers another personalization option.
But the most important point is that the 2023 Nautilus wasn’t a ground-up redesign.
What About Pricing and Fuel Economy?
The 2023 Nautilus was positioned as a premium two-row SUV, with pricing starting in the mid-$40,000 range before destination charges and optional equipment. Higher trims and the Black Label model could take the price considerably higher.
Fuel economy varied according to engine and drivetrain. The four-cylinder was the more efficient choice, while the twin-turbo V6 delivered significantly stronger performance at the expense of fuel economy.
That trade-off is worth considering for used-SUV shoppers. Someone primarily interested in commuting may find the four-cylinder perfectly adequate, while buyers who regularly carry passengers or prefer stronger acceleration may appreciate the V6.
How Does It Compare With Other Luxury SUVs?
The Nautilus competed in a crowded class that included models such as the Lexus RX, Cadillac XT5 and other premium two-row crossovers.
Its strongest argument was comfort.
The Nautilus didn’t try to win buyers with aggressive styling or sports-car-like handling. Instead, it offered a quiet cabin, comfortable seating, available V6 power and a substantial list of technology and convenience features.
That personality can actually work in its favor on the used market, particularly for buyers who value relaxed everyday driving.
Is the 2023 Nautilus Really That Different?
There is an important detail prospective buyers should understand: the 2023 Nautilus wasn’t a completely new generation.
The first-generation Nautilus had already received its most significant interior and technology updates before 2023. The 2023 model year was more about carrying those improvements forward and making a few equipment changes.
The genuinely new Nautilus arrived for the 2024 model year.
That distinction doesn’t make the 2023 model less interesting. In fact, it can make the final first-generation version appealing to shoppers who prefer its traditional powertrains and familiar controls over the much more radically redesigned 2024 SUV.