The Lincoln Nautilus is a compact SUV built from 2019 to 2026 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in Canada — 77.8% of those on record. Between 2019 and 2026 it grew 9 cm longer and gained -1 kg. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6. Worth buying? It scores near the top of what we track at 4.5/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Nautilus is
The Lincoln Nautilus is a compact SUV that Lincoln built from 2019 to 2026 — 8 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2024. It has been offered with 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6 power. Its closest siblings in the Lincoln range: Corsair, MKX, MKC.
Where the Nautilus is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 221 Nautiluss on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 2LM | 2019-2023 | |
| the United States | 5LM | 2024-2026 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Lincoln VIN decide which of these 2 lines your Nautilus belongs to. What every character in a Nautilus VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Lincoln Nautilus adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
Nautilus generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Nautilus's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Nautilus that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2023 | 482 cm | 284 cm | 2012 kg | - | - |
| 2024-2026 | 491 cm | 290 cm | 2011 kg | +9 cm | -1 kg |
Between 2019 and 2026 the Nautilus gained 9 cm in length (+1.9%) and -1 kg in weight (+0.0%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Nautilus that is -1 kg against 9 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Lincoln Nautilus tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Nautilus owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Lincoln Nautilus have? Power & range
The Lincoln Nautilus is offered with 3 powertrains — 2.7L 6-cyl, 2L 4-cyl, 2L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 3 for the Lincoln Nautilus, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.7L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | AWD | Regular |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | AWD | Regular |
| Hybrid | 2.0L · 4-cyl | CVT | 4WD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Lincoln Nautilus tow? Towing & payload
As an SUV, the Lincoln Nautilus is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Nautilus's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
The Nautilus by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Lincoln Nautilus. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Nautilus | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 35 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 216 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.5 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,454/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 181 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Lincoln Nautilus?
The Nautilus is a compact SUV, built from 2019 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: 4-cyl, Hybrid, V6.
Where is the Lincoln Nautilus made?
Across 221 cars in our records the split is: Canada (77.8%), the United States (22.2%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the Nautilus have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2024. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Nautilus grew 9 cm longer and gained -1 kg.
What is the Lincoln Nautilus warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 4 years / 50,000 miles on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Nautilus reliable?
It scores 4.5/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Nautilus?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Lincoln
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Navigator | 1998–2026 | 155 | 19 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Lincoln Continental | 1981–2026 | 80 | 24 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lincoln Aviator | 2003–2026 | 127 | 23 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Lincoln Mark | 1981–1998 | 27 | 24 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Lincoln Town Car | 1981–2011 | 128 | 20 mpg | 3.5/5 |
| Lincoln MKZ | 2007–2020 | 97 | 41 mpg | 4.0/5 |
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