When I think of a midsize luxury SUV, I envision a sanctuary amidst the chaos of daily life. It should offer comfort and convenience, making everyday tasks easier and more enjoyable. The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label is the epitome of luxury. It has a stunning Flight Blue Metallic Clear Coat Exterior paint and a sumptuous luggage tan Venetian leather interior that reminds me of soft, creamy peanut butter. As a millennial mom, I was excited to test-drive this 5-passenger premium luxury Midsize SUV. It seems it was tailor-made for moms like me. In this blog post, I’ll delve into my experience with the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label and explain why I believe it’s the ideal sanctuary on wheels for busy moms.
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Luxury Features for Moms
The few minutes I spent alone in the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label felt like a retreat from the daily chaos. This luxury SUV offers an array of features that make life more comfortable, including heated and ventilated seats with massage. These seats, wrapped in soft Venetian leather, provide warmth on cooler days and coolness when the sun is blazing. The massaging seats for both the driver and front passenger are a welcome respite from the day’s tensions, especially during long drives. The heated steering wheel ensures your hands stay warm on winter days, and the parking assist takes the stress out of parallel parking. One less thing for busy moms to worry about.
Impressive Road Handling
One of the standout features of the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label is its exceptional road handling. With its 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine generating 335 horsepower, this luxury SUV boasts impressive power. To test its capabilities, I took it on the Southern State Parkway, a road filled with challenging curves. The Nautilus handled these twists and turns with ease, demonstrating its nimbleness and control. It also excelled in navigating Long Island’s notorious short on-ramps, thanks to its blind-spot monitoring system. Additionally, the adaptive suspension smoothed out the impact of unavoidable potholes, ensuring a comfortable ride.
Cutting-Edge Technology
Lincoln is making waves in the midsize luxury SUV sector with its tech features. The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label offers a user-friendly 13.2-inch entertainment touchscreen display that allows you to access various car options, from seat settings to music and ambient lighting. The 12.3-inch digital gauge display provides a wealth of information at your fingertips. With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, both iPhone and Android users can enjoy their favorite tunes on the 19-speaker Revel audio system. The standard 4G LTE-powered onboard Wi-Fi hotspot keeps your kids entertained with their favorite streaming apps during road trips. Navigation and a wireless smartphone charging pad come standard on the Black Label model. For parents, there’s the option of a rear-seat entertainment system on all trim levels.
Safety for Peace of Mind
As a mom, safety is my top priority when choosing a vehicle. The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label excels in this regard, earning recognition as an IIHS 2023 Top Safety Pick and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Installing child safety seats is a breeze with accessible LATCH anchors. The rear passenger seat reminder ensures you never forget your precious cargo in the back seat, which can be a real concern for busy moms. The blind-spot monitoring system is a valuable ally, especially in city driving, where unexpected taxi drivers can appear out of nowhere. The 360-degree camera aids in city driving and parking, alerting you if you’re too close to a curb, and protecting your precious rims.
Ample Storage and Cargo Space
Moms understand the importance of storage and cargo space. Whether it’s a stroller, groceries, or your child’s gear, having enough room is essential. The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label offers an impressive 37.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, which expands to a spacious 68.8 cubic feet when you fold down the second row. I was amazed by the roominess of this luxury SUV, which can easily accommodate the needs of a busy family.
How Much Does the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus Cost?
The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label offers three trim levels: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label. The Standard trim, starting at an MSRP of $46,020, comes well-equipped with a range of standard features, including a power liftgate, power-folding and heated side-view mirrors, rear parking sensors, and more. It also includes essential safety features like forward collision mitigation with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning.
The Reserve trim, with a starting MSRP of $52,235, steps up the luxury game, offering 18-inch wheels, a 10-speaker premium sound system, a panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled front seats, and heated rear seats.
For those seeking the pinnacle of luxury, the Black Label trim (the model I test-drove) starts at $68,440. It includes Venetian Leather seats with embroidered Black Label insignia, a 19-speaker premium sound system, and 21-inch wheels. Exclusive Black Label member privileges, such as complimentary car washes and access to a curated list of exceptional restaurants, are also part of the package. Both the Reserve and Black Label offer the available Ultra Comfort 22-way adjustable seats with lumbar massage and automatic parking.
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The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label offers two engine options, a 2.0L Turbocharged 4-cylinder, or a 2.7L Turbocharged V6, with 250 and 335 horsepower, respectively. Both engines are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Additionally, both engines feature start/stop technology for enhanced fuel efficiency, which is crucial for a mom constantly on the move. In my real-world testing, I achieved approximately 15.9 MPG in the city and 27 MPG on the highway.
Looking Ahead to the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus
Impressed by what you’ve read about the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label? You’ll be even more excited when you hear about the upcoming 2024 Lincoln Nautilus. Lincoln is taking luxury to the next level with features like Lincoln Rejuvenate, which offers multisensory bliss through lighting and digital scenting. Digital scents, such as Mystic Forest, Ozonic Azure, and Violet Cashmere, allow you to create a personalized sensory journey, masking unpleasant odors or setting the mood during your drive. For moms on the go, the Lincoln BlueCruise 1.2 feature provides hands-free highway driving with Lane Change Assist and In-Lane Repositioning, offering added comfort and confidence.
The exterior will also receive a stunning redesign, reminiscent of a baby Aviator, featuring all-new LED lights and signature lighting elements. For added efficiency, a powerful hybrid powertrain option is available, offering up to 310 system horsepower. This means less money spent on gas and more funds for the things you love or your kids’ needs. The interior boasts a range of color themes and exclusive packages, including the Jet Appearance Package and Lincoln Black Label. And when it’s time to unwind, you can revel in the award-winning Revel Ultima 3D Audio System with 28 speakers, paired with 24-Way Perfect Position Seats for the ultimate in comfort.
The Ideal Sanctuary for Moms
The 2023 Lincoln Nautilus AWD Black Label is the ideal sanctuary for moms. If you are looking for a luxury midsize SUV that offers comfort, safety, and style. With a range of impressive features, ample cargo space, and three trim levels to choose from, it caters to the needs of modern families. And if you’re already excited about this model, be sure to keep an eye out for the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus, which promises even more luxury, technology, and convenience. I can’t wait to test-drive it when it becomes available in 1Q 2024!
Disclosure: Lincoln provided the Nautilus for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Kim is a Black millennial, working full-time in managed healthcare, all while juggling the roles of a wife and a hands-on mom to her two daughters, her rainbow babies. She is the proud owner of Beauty and the Bump NYC, a platform where she shares her perspective on all the things that bring joy to her life: family, travel, cars, food, and more.
Recognizing the need to create a dedicated space for her automotive content, Kim established WhatDrivesKim.com. Here, fellow millennial moms can find authentic and valuable insights into all things car-related. Kim’s goal is to provide the real deal on cars, helping moms make informed decisions about their vehicles.
As a contributor to A Girl’s Guide to Cars, Kim extends her passion for cars by offering helpful tips and car reviews from the unique perspective of a modern working mom. With Kim, you can trust that you’re getting practical and relatable advice about the world of automobiles.
