I’ve been mad about cars since I was a kid, sneaking peeks at my dad’s car mags, and luxury SUVs have always been my soft spot. When Lincoln handed me the keys to the 2025 Nautilus for a full week, I was skeptical—Lincoln’s felt a bit sleepy lately, and the midsize SUV market is a jungle of heavy hitters like the BMW X5 and Mercedes GLE. But after cruising it around town, hitting the highway, and even sneaking in a late-night drive with the family, I’m blown away. This second-gen Nautilus isn’t just good—it’s a proper contender that deserves a second look. Grab a cuppa, and let’s dive into why this ride’s got me grinning.

What’s the Big Deal with the 2025 Nautilus?

This beast got a full makeover last year for 2024, and 2025 keeps the good vibes rolling without messing with a winning formula. The star attraction? A whopping 48-inch screen that stretches across the dash like something out of a sci-fi flick. I thought it’d be a distraction, but it’s clever—showing the time, weather, and tunes without hogging your focus. Then there’s the 11.1-inch touchscreen up front, running Google Maps, which saved me from wrestling with some alien nav system during a detour last Tuesday. My tech-savvy nephew loved fiddling with it too!

Inside, it’s like stepping into a cozy lounge. Soft stuff covers nearly every surface, and the seats are so plush I nearly nodded off on a long haul. Last weekend, we piled in for a beach trip, and even my lanky brother-in-law stretched out in the back without a grumble—proof this thing’s got space to spare.

Looks and Gadgets That Wow

The Nautilus I drove rocked the $3,000 Jet Appearance Package, slapping on 22-inch Satin Dark Luster Nickel wheels and sporty bits that give it a bit of swagger, even if it’s still a Lincoln at heart. The Red Carpet Metallic Tinted Clearcoat paint turned heads at every traffic light—subtle but sharp. Standard perks on the Reserve trim include a 360-degree camera that saved me from a tight parking scrape, adaptive cruise control that handled a busy freeway stretch, and a wireless charging pad where my phone lived all week.

The real treat was BlueCruise, the hands-free driving trick that’s free for four years. I gave it a go on the interstate yesterday, and it cruised along, adjusting lanes and speed like a champ—way smoother than the half-baked system I tried in a rival last month. Toss in heated rear seats, a hands-free liftgate I used with a full grocery load, and “digital scents” that paired with the massaging seats (yes, really!), and my $71,215 as-tested price—with $10,205 in extras—felt like a bargain. Base price starts at $53,940, which is cheeky in a world of $100k SUVs.

Power and Drive That Deliver

Under the hood, the base Nautilus sticks with a 250-hp turbo four, but the hybrid version I drove swaps in a 310-hp setup with electric help. Firing it up is dead silent—pure electric glide at first—which was a treat pulling out of my driveway. The switch to gas power felt natural, making city traffic less of a headache. It’s not a racer, but it’s got enough oomph to zip past slower cars on the highway, which I tested on a quick overtake last Friday.

Fuel-wise, it pulls off 30 mpg combined (30 city/31 highway), and I got close to that mixing town and open road—pretty darn good for a 4,500-pound beast. The ride’s a dream in Normal mode, soaking up potholes like they’re nothing, though I flicked to Excite mode on a winding country lane and enjoyed the firmer grip. It’s not as razor-sharp as a Porsche Cayenne, but who’s complaining when it’s this comfy?

Is It Worth the Cash?

You bet it is! At its price, it’s a steal compared to the Cadillac XT5 for that American luxury vibe, and it holds its own against the Volvo XC90 or Audi Q8. The Genesis GV80 might look flashier, but the Nautilus wins on coziness and mileage. Even the Land Rover Range Rover Sport feels overpriced next to this. Built in China at Changan Hangzhou, it doesn’t feel foreign—Lincoln sells heaps there, so they’re not sweating tariffs.

After a week with it, I’m sold. It’s a plush, tech-packed cruiser that doesn’t break the bank. If you’re hunting a luxury SUV, skip the waitlists and test this one—you might not look back.

So, what’s your call? Would the hybrid savings or that giant screen hook you? Drop a comment below—I’m dying to know how it compares to your dream ride!