Text by Tom Appel
2025 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label AWD
Specs
Class: Premium Midsize Crossover
Country of Manufacture: China
Color: Silver Radiance Metallic
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 134
Real-world fuel economy: 22.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | A |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | A |
| Fuel Economy | B |
| Value | B- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | A |
| Tall Guy | A |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 250-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Type | Turbocharged four |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 21/29/24 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas
Base price: $74,950 (not including $1595 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Jet Appearance Package ($3000)
Price as tested: $79,545
Pros and Cons
The great: Class leading quietness and ride quality
The good: Opulent cabin, breathtaking audio quality
The not so good: Steep Black Label trim-level price
Review
Funny thing about Lincoln, after years of struggling to find an identity, Ford’s luxury brand is now firmly, and convincingly, all about coddling. And if you look closely, Lincoln sort of has this niche all to itself. Sort of.
Refinement versus Sportiness
As the auto industry evolves, the luxury segment seems to be changing in interesting, if rather predictable, ways. Though having fully adopted crossovers more than a decade ago, German premium-vehicle makers remain solidly in the luxury-equals-performance camp. Virtually every vehicle retailed by Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz can be had in an uplevel high-performance trim. The cars are luxurious, but the focus on comfort isn’t absolute.
Cadillac
Cadillac’s uniquely brash design philosophy is arguably sporty, as is the American brand’s commitment to electric vehicles. For 2026, Cadillac will have five EVs on dealer lots, six if you count both lengths of the electric Escalade. Are Caddys comfortable? Sure. But that’s not entirely where the emphasis lies.
Lexus
Lexus talks a good performance game, and the “F” trim level variants available on most of the brand’s product line are compelling. But, in reality, Toyota’s luxury arm is really all about quality and refinement, attributes we at Consumer Guide fully appreciate. Note: Lexus has cranked out some seriously fun-to-drive sedans and coupes over the years, but the maker’s crossovers are all about comfort and polish. We’d argue Lexus is Lincoln’s closest competitor.
Genesis
And though it seemed as if startup luxury carmaker Genesis was leaning toward keeping things cushy, the Hyundai luxury division has revealed plans for a performance-oriented sub-brand dubbed Magma. Expect to see Magma variants of most Genesis models in a few years.
Acura, of course, is all about performance and sporty character, and the Infiniti lineup is too thin at the moment to have a character profile.
Spa Treatment
Back to Lincoln. Though all Lincolns are endowed with sufficient power for satisfying getaways and brisk passing maneuvers, the brand’s emphasis is on quietness and comfort. In fact, read any Lincoln sales copy and you’ll find the word “spa” pop up with regularity.
So, in the battle for supreme refinement, the competition comes down to Lincoln versus Lexus, and we give the nod to Lincoln, especially the recently redesigned Nautilus. Here’s why:
Chinese Luxury
Built in China, the Nautilus is Lincoln’s best-selling model in that country. And to some extent, the 2-row, midsize Lincoln was designed for Chinese luxury-car shoppers, which means it plays slightly upmarket of American-market vehicles in the same segment.
Redesigned for 2024, the Nautilus features clean, purposeful exterior lines, and only a limited amount of bright trim. Note that there are no identifying badges on the back of the vehicle.
Prices and Trim Levels
Returning for 2025 are Premier ($53,485), Reserve ($62,705), and Black Label ($76,645) trim levels. Hybrid variants run approximately $2000 higher.
Black Label
Justifying the Black Label’s big price bump over the Reserve are a number of premium features, as well as some compelling concierge-style perks.
Features include: larger wheels and tires, unique interior themes, an upgrade version of Lincoln’s excellent Revel audio system, digital scent technology (really), and a panoramic roof.
Service niceties include: free “anytime” car washes for life, Lincoln Client Relationship services, a personal Black Label liaison, an Avis Presidential Membership, free service pickup and drop-off, and a Lincoln Premium Perks membership to earn points for service visits and other dealership purchases.
Blue Cruise
Plus, Ford’s Blue Cruise semi-autonomous driving system is standard on the Black Label.
Power for the Nautilus comes from either a 250-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, or a hybridized variation of the same engine good for 310 horsepower. The standard engine mates with an 8-speed automatic, while the hybrid with a CVT-style transmissions. All Nautilus variants come standard with AWD.
Test Car
Consumer Guide recently spent a week with a 2025 Nautilus in Silver Radiance with the Jet Appearance Package and Redwood interior theme (the Black Label can also be had with the Chalet interior). Including destination charge, our test car came to $79,545.
Plush Cabin
We’ve been singing the praises of Genesis interiors of late, but new Nautilus’ cabin is similarly impressive. Modern, classy, and decidedly premium, the Black Label interior is worthy of a vehicle priced comfortably over $100,000. In additional to the high-quality leather and aluminum bright trim, assembly quality is apparently top notch.
Massive LCD Screen
Most impressive, however, is the massive, pillar-to-pillar, LCD screen which is position below the windshield. The sprawling, easy-to-read monitor can be configured to present whatever information you would like to see at a glance, and is independent of the console screen (see below). This editor chose to have an analog clock, current music choice, a map, and trip information on display. And, despite the screen location, it is not easily washed out, ever by direct sunlight. Otherwise, the controls are generally Ford simple, and that’s high praise.
Room and Comfort
The cabin is four-adult roomy, and entering and exiting the Nautilus is plenty easy. Underway little sound makes its way inside the vehicle, making for easy highway conversation, or serious music listening. Black Labels are treating to lineups best audio system, the Revel Ultima 3D with 28 speakers.
Revel Audio
This author can confirm that the Revel system does an extraordinary job with mid-century jazz, as well as the works of Devo. Great stuff.
Power and Performance
The small turbocharged engine has plenty of muscle to move the Nautilus from a stop in a hurry, as well as for passing and merging. Really, our only complaint is that the engine itself, though never unrefined, sounds a little (just a little) small and high-revving, something feels somewhat incongruous with this Lincoln’s mission of refinement.
Paint Quality
We’d like to note the quality of our test truck’s paint, and how much we appreciate the cohesive and stealthy look of the Jet Appearance Package. Though pricey ($3000), the Jet package nicely compliments the Nautilus’ sleek, understated profile. It’s worth noting that the package’s massive 22-inch wheels didn’t seem to take a toll on ride quality, something large wheels often do.
2025 Consumer Guide Best Buy
We’ve already named the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus a 2025 Consumer Guide Best Buy. Shoppers considering a vehicle of this refinement would do well to also test drive the excellent Lexus RX. Though—dare we say it?—the Lexus actually leans into the sportiness sphere a bit more than the Lincoln. As for the Black label trim level…
Value
Since restaurants with a hostess make us nervous, we find many of the Black Label perks a little intimidating. But if your lifestyle leans further into that level of indulgence, this may just be the trim level for you. As we noted earlier, we do fully appreciate the classy cabin and killer audio system.
Regardless of the trim level, the Nautilus, with almost no pretense of sportiness, is laser focused on quiet, calm, refinement. And, we appreciate the effort. If you’re not worried about carving corners or winning stoplight drag races, there’s a good chance this well-mannered Lincoln deserves a place on your test-drive short list.
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2025 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label Pictures
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2024 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve Hybrid: Review, Prices, and Specs
