MotorTrend Names Lincoln Nautilus 2025 SUV of the Year

Lincoln’s luxury two-row crossover SUV has secured MotorTrend’s Golden Calipers for excellence across performance, safety, and design

LOS ANGELES, CA – October 26, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – MotorTrend Group, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, announced today the Lincoln Nautilus as the 2025 SUV of the Year award winner. Lincoln’s premium SUV stood out from competitors thanks to its elegant and sporty exterior, excellent driver assist features, interior comfort, and user-friendly, in-vehicle digital experience system. The Nautilus takes the Lincoln brand to the next level with an x-factor that captivated MotorTrend’s judges and ultimately placed the midsize luxury two-row crossover SUV at the top of the podium.

The Lincoln Nautilus beat several impressive competitors, including the Rivian R1S, Toyota Land Cruiser, Lexus GX550, Hyundai Santa Fe, GMC Hummer SUV, and the Mercedes G-Wagen. The prestigious MotorTrend “Of The Year” awards are based on six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, and performance of intended function.

“The right SUV is the perfect combination of style, comfort, and first-class driving experience – and the Nautilus delivers on every front. Each occupant, including backseat passengers, feels valued,” said Ed Loh, MotorTrend Group’s Head of Editorial. “The Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid also combines a compelling luxury experience mixed with uncompromised fuel efficiency, all at a competitive price.”

Now in its second generation, the two-row, five-passenger Lincoln Nautilus slots neatly between Lincoln’s larger three-row, seven-passenger Aviator and smaller two-row, five-passenger Corsair. In terms of powertrain performance, the standard powertrain is a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine is good for 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. The Nautilus hybrid replaces the eight-speed with an eCVT – the “e” meaning there is an electric motor good for 168 hp hooked into the continuously variable transmission. The hybrid has a combined output of 310 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Lincoln’s mission was to make this vehicle feel like an oasis on wheels, and they accomplished the goal on every front. The vehicle combines elegant design and a reliable powertrain with acute attention to detail, all with driver and passenger comfort in mind. MotorTrend’s expert team of editors…