What Is the Best Lincoln SUV?

The Nautilus is the best Lincoln SUV, hands down. But don’t sleep on Lincoln’s other SUVs—especially if you want a fuel-efficient hybrid or need seating for a large family.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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Optional all-wheel drive, good cargo space, better-than-average fuel economy, and luxury features like massaging seats, make the Lincoln Nautilus the automaker’s best SUV.
But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider Lincoln’s other SUVs as well. With a lineup of vehicles that accommodate car buyers who prioritize seating space, off-road capability, and fuel efficiency—the American automaker is sure to have a sport utility vehicle that works for you and your family.
Thinking about buying a Lincoln SUV? Here with the rundown on the brand’s best options is
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The best Lincoln SUV overall: Nautilus

Starting price: $45,285
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: N/A
Combining a comfortable ride with upscale features, the Nautilus is Lincoln’s best SUV (at least we think so).
If you’re looking for a lavish interior that’s reminiscent of the
Lincoln Town Car
but need the seating and cargo space of a crossover plus some modern luxuries like heated, cooled, and massaging front seats and plush suede upholstery, the Lincoln Nautilus has you covered.
Although the SUV’s turbocharged or V6 engine options both offer impressive performance—especially when combined with the optional all-wheel drive—it’s the posh
Nautilus interior
and impressive tech that give this midsize crossover the most appeal.
All trims come with Lincoln’s easy-to-use infotainment system that features a massive 13.2-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot, but if you go for either the Reserve or Black Label trims, you also get built-in navigation and a useful wireless charging pad. And for buyers with kids, opting for the rear-seat entertainment system is sure to keep them out of your hair during long trips.
For drivers looking for the best in luxury driving, the Nautilus Black Label comes fully loaded with premium features for a maximum cost of about $66,170. That’s significantly less than the highest trims of competitors like the
Porsche Cayenne
or Maserati Levante—both of which will cost you well over $100,000.
Between convenience and comfort amenities, top safety and crash-test scores, and a full suite of driver-assistance tech on all trims, there aren’t many downsides to the Lincoln Nautilus—although the lack of a third-row seating option could take this SUV out of the running for car buyers with large families. 

The best Lincoln SUV to buy used: 2020 Nautilus

Price range: $43,218 to $63,577
Number of seats:
J.D. Power rating: 82
While the latest Lincoln Nautilus is an excellent option, the shortage of new cars in 2022 means you might be facing a long wait time before you can get your hands on one. The good news is that this midsize luxury SUV hasn’t changed much over the last few years, so by purchasing a used Lincoln Nautilus, you can still get its premium performance and features without the hassle of hunting down a brand-new model. 
The best used Nautilus is the 2020 model year. With an estimated cost for gas, insurance, taxes, fees, repairs, and maintenance of about $6,000 per year, this model ranks among the midsize luxury SUVs with the lowest ownership costs of the class.
With both the 2022 and 2020 Lincoln Nautilus offering impressive safety scores, useful driver-assistance technology, appealing engine options, and premium features, the only notable difference between the two vehicles is that the 2020 version comes with a smaller touchscreen

The best Lincoln SUV for families: Aviator

Starting price: $52,975
Number of seats: 6 or 7
J.D. Power rating: 77
No matter how impressive the Nautilus might seem to be, seating for just five people simply won’t cut it for car buyers with large families. On the other hand, the
Lincoln Aviator
combines the ability to seat up to seven people with the largest cargo capacity of all luxury midsize SUVs and top safety scores.
Ranked #3 in luxury midsize SUVs by U.S. News, the Aviator comes in six- or seven-seat configurations, with the six-seat version exchanging the second-row bench for two captain’s chairs. The
Aviator's third row
is a little tight, but small children should be comfortable enough. 
Like the Nautilus, the Aviator comes with a generous selection of premium features and options including driver-assistance tech, massaging front seats, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the 2022 Aviator a safety rating of five out of five stars, and it earned the highest possible score in the NHTSA’s frontal and side crash tests.
For fuel-conscious families, the Aviator Grand Touring is available as an eco-friendly
Lincoln hybrid
.

The best Lincoln SUV for off-roading: Navigator Reserve

Price range: $91,155
Number of seats: 7
J.D. Power rating: 83 (2020) 
Luxury vehicles usually aren’t the first thing you think of when it comes to off-road trails, but if you want a large SUV with premium features that can also handle a weekend camping trip or two, the
Lincoln Navigator Reserve
fits the bill.
The Navigator Reserve is more at home on paved roads than the open trail, but it does have a V6 engine, adaptive suspension, and a generous 9.7 inches of ground clearance that make it suitable for rolling over dirt roads or gravel without much risk. It comes standard with rear-wheel drive—which isn’t suitable for offroading at all—so upgrading to the optional four-wheel drive is essential for good performance off the beaten path.
While the Navigator Reserve doesn’t hold a candle to true trail warriors like the
Jeep Wrangler
, it’s got the chops for the backroads—as long as they’re well-maintained and relatively level.

The best Lincoln SUV for fuel economy: Corsair Grand Touring

Starting price: $53,005
Number of seats: 5
J.D. Power rating: 82
When it comes to fuel economy, Lincoln offers some appealing options. In fact, every SUV in its 2022 lineup offers average or above-average fuel efficiency—but the best of the bunch is the
Corsair Grand Touring
, a plug-in hybrid that gets an impressive 78 miles per gallon when running on electric power and 33 miles per gallon when running on gasoline alone. 
That beats Lincoln’s other two hybrid options—the Aviator Grand Touring and the Aviator Black Label Grand Touring—which both get just 56 MPGe.

The best way to shop for Lincoln insurance

No matter what you’re looking for in a luxury SUV, you’re sure to find a vehicle that meets your needs in Lincoln’s lineup. From exceptional features and tech to impressive safety and reliability ratings, affordable pricing (for a luxury brand), and fuel-efficient hybrid options, the American car maker has it all. But no matter which Lincoln SUV you choose, you’ll need great car insurance to protect it.
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