2020 Lincoln Nautilus

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Lincoln Nautilus
Pictured: 2019 Lincoln Nautilus Reserve AWD in Ingot Silver Metallic, front right. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
I-4 4dr SUV, V6 4dr SUV
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.7L 6-cyl turbo
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
23 combined · 21 city / 26 hwy
Length
189.8 in
Curb weight
4,306–4,566 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 39 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Lincoln Nautilus is a small SUV offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.7L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 190 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,306 lb (I-4 4dr SUV).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 23 MPG combined (21 city / 26 highway), 10% worse than the 2020 small SUV average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,900 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 34 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Nautilus — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Nautilus →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
I-4 4dr SUV189.8 in76 in66.1 in111.8 in64.6 / 64.6 in4,306 lb59/41
V6 4dr SUV189.8 in76 in66.1 in111.8 in64.6 / 64.6 in4,566 lb59/41

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Nautilus FWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)Front-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23-10%$2,900384
Nautilus AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive20 / 25 / 22-6%$3,050401
Nautilus AWD2.7L 6-cyl turboAutomatic (S8)All-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 21-11%$3,200417
5/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
5/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $2,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.6 MPG2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Lincoln Nautilus SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★15.5%
2020 Lincoln Nautilus SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 5★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★15.5%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning

Similar 2020 small SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Lincoln Nautilus (this car)23 MPG★★★★★5
2020 Mercedes-Benz G-Class14 MPGNot rated0
2020 Tesla Model Y316 mi★★★★★24
2020 Porsche Cayenne21 MPGNot rated6
2020 BMW X523 MPG★★★★★11
2020 Land Rover Defender19 MPGNot rated7
2020 BMW X327 MPG★★★★★16

Recalls (5)

Back Over Prevention › Software · Jun 27, 2025

NHTSA campaign 25V442000 · 200,237 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Transit Connect, 2019-2020 MKZ, MKX, Edge, Continental, F-150, Nautilus, Fusion, 2019-2023 Ranger, Mustang, 2020-2021 EcoSport, Expedition, Navigator, 2020-2022 Escape, F-250 SD, Corsair, 2020-2023 Aviator, Transit, 2020-2024 Explorer, 2021-2024 Bronco Sport, and 2022-2024 Maverick vehicles. A software error may cause the rearview camera to display a blank image, or the image may remain on the display after the backing event has ended.
Risk
A rearview camera that displays a blank image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle. A rearview image that continues to be displayed after the vehicle is shifted out of reverse may distract the driver. Both of these situations can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will update the rearview camera software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 4, 2025. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 25S72.
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft · Jan 15, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V011000 · 147 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Edge, 2020 Lincoln Nautilus and Ford Escape and 2021 Lincoln Corsair and Ford Bronco Sport vehicles. An inadequate amount of lubricant in the rear drive unit may cause seizure of the rear drive axle.
Risk
If the rear drive unit seizes, there may be a loss of drive and/or a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will check the rear drive unit lubricant level. Axles found to have lubricant at the minimum level will be filled to the full level. Axles found to be below the minimum lubricant fill level will be replaced, free of charge. This recall began March 12, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 21S02.
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera · Sep 23, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V575000 · 620,246 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350, F-450, F-550, Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge, and Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair vehicles. Due to a poor electrical connection, the rearview camera may intermittently display a blank or distorted image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk
Reduced rearward visibility can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rearview camera, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Remedy became available on February 1, 2021. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 1, 2021. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C19.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Sep 10, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V550000 · 97 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Edge, Transit Connect and Lincoln MKX and 2020 Escape and Lincoln Corsair vehicles. The start/stop accumulator endcap may have missing or loose bolts.
Risk
Missing or loose bolts on the start stop accumulator endcap could result in a transmission fluid leak and may progress to a loss of transmission function. A transmission fluid leak in the presence of an ignition source may increase the risk of fire.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the start/stop accumulator, free of charge. The recall began September 23, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S49.
Seats › Front Assembly › Power Adjust · Jul 17, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V414000 · 19,299 vehicles

Problem
Ford Motor Company, Inc. (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Lincoln MKX and 2019-2020 Nautilus vehicles equipped with 16-way electric tilt seats. The seat cushion frame edge may contact the wire harness when the seat occupant uses the tilt function of the seat, potentially damaging one or more wires within the harness, which can result in either inadvertent deployment of the air bag or nondeployment of the air bag in the event of a crash.
Risk
An air bag that deploys inadvertently increases the risk of a crash. An air bag that does not deploy in the event of a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install protective flocking tape onto the exposed edge of the 16-way seat cushion frames, and inspect the wire harness for damage, and repair or replace it as needed, free of charge. This recall began August 12, 2020. Owners may contact Ford/Lincoln customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20S37.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Lincoln Nautilus is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

34Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
40,009 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train17
Engine5
Service Brakes3
Electrical System3
Exterior Lighting3
Wheels3
Unknown Or Other3
Structure › Body2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/08: 122/09: 123/01: 123/03: 123/05: 223/06: 123/11: 223/12: 124/02: 124/07: 124/10: 125/04: 125/05: 125/08: 225/09: 125/10: 125/12: 326/01: 226/03: 126/04: 226/06: 126/07: 326/08: 126/10: 121/0823/0323/1124/0725/0525/1026/0326/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Lincoln Nautilus buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Power Train — 17 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Engine — 5 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Service Brakes — 3 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 40,009 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Lincoln Nautilus. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Nautilus years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Nautilus30193.3 inNot rated312
2025 Nautilus30193.3 in★★★★★831
2024 Nautilus30193.3 inNot rated935
2023 Nautilus23189.8 in★★★★★37
2022 Nautilus23189.8 in★★★★★216
2021 Nautilus23189.8 in★★★★★227
2019 Nautilus23189.8 in★★★★★8102

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lincoln. How we calculate this →