Lincoln Nautilus

The vibe: The Lincoln brand scrapped alphanumeric names a few years ago. So the MKX, a midsize SUV introduced around 2007, became the Nautilus in 2017. Lincoln already has a lot weighty namesake in Abraham Lincoln, a brand acquired by Ford Motor Company 99 years ago.  It’s so much more interesting to be named for a word that has meaning. And Nautilus is quite a doozy. It has Greek origins to seafaring, but it also in the octopus family. It’s an extension of the quest theme in the lineup inspired by the likes of Navigator.

 How it looks when you see on the street: It has that expensive SUV vibe, due to a grille chrome grille that has piping look like a silver chain worn as a necklace. Our favorite features is the way the wheels spin in the shape of the oceanic nautilus.

How it makes you feel when you get in: The cabin checks all the boxes necessary for creature comfort. The Nautilus was revamped a few years ago, but for 2021 it;s all about what’s on the inside, which always matter most.

What to compare it to: It’s a crowded category — but one that hits the sweet spot for many families. Audi Q5, BMW X3, Cadillac XT5