The Lincoln Nautilus does 23.9 mpg combined (22.1 city, 27.4 highway), which works out to about $1,607 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 30 mpg while 2.7L 6-cyl does 21.2 — a difference of $531 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Lincoln Nautilus engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Lincoln Nautilus ranges from 30 down to 21.2 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $531 a year across 3 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 29.7 / 31 | 2024–2026 | $1,280 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 21 / 27.1 | 2019–2026 | $1,641 | |
| 2.7L 6-cyl | 19.2 / 25.6 | 2019–2023 | $1,811 |
What that actually costs
The Lincoln Nautilus burns a gallon every 23.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 502 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.134 |
| Fuel per year | $1,607 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,035 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$113 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,641 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Lincoln Nautilus gives up 5.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.4 out there against 22.1 in town, a 24% drop worth $337 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 22.1 mpg | $1,738 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.4 mpg | $1,401 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.3 mpg (24%) | Typical for its type |
How the Nautilus changed over the years
The Nautilus peaked in 2026 at 27 mpg (25 city, 30 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2023 at 22 — 5 mpg apart, or $323 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 27. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 / 30 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2025 | 25.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2024 | 25.5 / 30 | 2 | $1,422 | |
| 2023 | 20 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2022 | 20 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2021 | 20 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2020 | 20 / 26 | 2 | $1,745 | |
| 2019 | 20.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,707 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 16 EPA ratings of the Lincoln Nautilus — 3 engines across 2019–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,641. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Lincoln Nautilus get?
23.9 mpg combined on average — 22.1 in the city and 27.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2019–2026.
How much does a Lincoln Nautilus cost in fuel per year?
About $1,607 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,035 over five years, or 0.134 dollars a mile.
Which Nautilus engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 30 mpg, against 21.2 for the 2.7L 6-cyl — a difference of about $531 a year.
Is the Nautilus good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Nautilus figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Lincoln Nautilus is $2,641 against the $1,607 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 30 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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