Sharpening The Edge: The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label.

The renaissance at Lincoln is under way.  The new Navigator is a hit and the best in its class (two things it's been a long time Lincoln could say about any of its vehicles) and anticipation is high for the new 2020 Lincoln Aviator, which is now arriving on dealer lots.  And Lincoln is making sure its next rung down on the luxury ladder doesn't stick out like a sore thumb.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label.

The 2019 Lincoln Nautilus was, from 2008 through 2018, known as the Lincoln MKX and it is based on the Ford Edge.  Even eight years ago, Lincoln was making sure the MKX was more than just a re-badged Ford, though, and with the re-naming for 2019, they're going many steps beyond.

The Nautilus looks believable as the Navigator's baby brother.  And it backs up the visual impression with luxury and performance---especially in top-tier Black Label gear, which is how our tester was equipped.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label interior.

Nautiluses (Nautilii?) in Standard trim (that's what they call it) start at $40,340.  Select is $44,545, Reserve is $48.875 and Black Label begins at $56,895. 

That extra money buys premium materials including Venetian leather, premium Alcantara cloth, rich woods and unique aluminum trim.  There's a premium four-year/50,000-mile maintenance plan, and the special treatment starts with the shopping.  Black Label customers have a mobile showroom that comes to them, can take advantage of an in-dealership studio with a private fitting room where you choose the interior theme for your Black Label Nautilus (our tester was done in "Gala"---there's also "Chalet" and "Thoroughbred"), and, when it's ready, they offer remote vehicle delivery.  There's also a free car wash and an annual free detailing.

Other standard equipment:

• Dual chrome exhaust tips.
• Full LED lighting.
• Hands-free, foot-activated rear liftgate.
• Adaptive LED headlamps with signature lighting.
• LED taillamps.
• Lincoln approach/farewell elements (the Lincoln logo is projected onto the ground alongside the car by lamps built into the bottoms of the exterior mirrors).
• Automatically folding heated side-view mirrors with memory and built-in turn indicators.
• Rear-view camera with washer.
• Security approach lamps.
• Ambient lighting.
• Dual-zone electronic automatic climate control.
• Embroidered Black Label insignia.
• Black Label brand badge.
• Heated and ventilated front seats.
• Panoramic vista roof.
• Premium leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise, audio, climate and media controls.
• Heated rear seats.
• Upgraded floormats.
• Adaptive cruise control.
• Blind spot detection with cross-traffic alert.
• Dynamic brake support.
• Forward collision warning.
• Lane keeping.
• Lincoln Connect 4G Wi-Fi modem.
• Lincoln Drive Control.
• Pushbutton start.
• Rain-sensing wipers.
• 19-speaker Revel Audio system featuring SYNC3 with voice-activated navigation.
• Windshield wiper de-icer.
• Wireless charging pad.
• AdvanceTrac with RSC.
• Auto Emergency Braking.
• Tire pressure monitoring.

2019 Lincoln Nautilus Black Label 2.7-liter V6.

Our test vehicle also had several extra-cost options:

• 2.7-liter GTDI V6 engine. Twin turbocharged.  335 horsepower, 380 lb-ft of torque ($2,070).
• Intelligent all-wheel drive ($2,495).
• Class II trailer tow hitch and cargo utility package ($995).
• Driver Assistance Package---Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering, adaptive steering and Collision mitigation system, which includes distance alert/distance indication and evasive steering assist ($1,590).
• Technology Package---360-degree camera, active park assist, front park aid sensors ($1,720).

Factor in $995 destination charges and a $645 acquisition fee (?) and the price is $67,405---but Lincoln is currently offering $1,500 in incentives, so all this can be yours for $65,905.  Which is decidedly not cheap, but then it's not supposed to be.   Looking at it from Lincoln's point of view, the Navigator Black Label starts at $96,395, the Aviator Black Label at $77,695---so the Nautilus Black Label is logically priced.  

After a week with it, I will say it's a very nice machine.  It does the job a luxury object is supposed to do---it makes you feel as though you have---and perhaps you are---something special.  Whether that's worth $65,095 as equipped is a question only you can answer.