4 Lincoln Utility Vehicles: 2020 Corsair, Nautilus, Aviator, & Navigator

Lincoln lost its footing as the best-selling luxury brand more than 20 years ago. These days, it ranks around eighth or ninth in a highly competitive environment. You can blame Lincoln’s inability to keep up with the changing market for one reason. Ford’s luxury marque has also failed to deliver the models customers want, but that’s changing.

Like most other brands, Lincoln is emphasizing utility vehicles over sedans, and that’s helping sales. But it isn’t just having SUVs in the company’s portfolio that has helped: Lincoln has carefully overhauled its offerings to deliver more modern and elegant vehicles or what customers are demanding. As a result, Lincoln’s demand is on the way up as customers consider their choices.

For 2020, Lincoln offers four utility vehicles: the full-size Navigator, the three-row midsize Aviator, the two-row midsize Nautilus, and the compact Corsair.

Gone is the brand’s confusing naming convention in exchange for nautical/aviation terminology. Also excised from the lineup is the company’s wagon-like crossover, the MKT, which offered a point of differentiation, but never sold in big numbers.

We’re not presenting reviews of Lincoln’s quartet of utility vehicles here. Instead, we’re charting the changes and looking at the highlights of each. We’ll also mention each model’s competitive set, to make it easier to compare like models.

2020 Lincoln Navigator

2020 Lincoln Navigator.

Lincoln’s large Navigator is the granddaddy of this brand’s SUVs. It’s been credited with launching the segment of big American luxury SUVs, although its archrival, the Cadillac Escalade, easily outsells it.

The current-generation Navigator rolled out in 2018 and has seen light updates since. For 2020 you’ll find new color choices and combinations, additional standard equipment, and now standard Lincoln360 driver-assist technology.

Every 2020 Navigator comes with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s available in rear-and four-wheel-drive configurations, and comes in standard and stretched wheelbase layouts.

Besides the Cadillac Escalade, the Lincoln Navigator competes with the BMW X7, Infiniti QX80, Lexus LX, Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the Audi Q7, and others.

2020 Lincoln Navigator Specifications

Lincoln 2020 Navigator
Segment Full-size luxury SUV
Price Range $75,825 to $96,770
Destination Charge $1,295
Standard Engine 3.5-liter, turbo V6
Horsepower 450 @ 5,500
Torque (lb.-ft.) 510 @ 3,000
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Seating 8
Curb Weight (pounds) 5,685 to 6,056
Wheelbase (inches) 122.5, 131.6
Length (inches) 210.0, 221.9
Width (inches) 93.8
Height (inches) 76.4, 76.3; 76.2, 76.1(L)
Headroom (f,r…inches) 41.8, 40.0, 37.3; 39.5, 37.9, 37.4 (L)
Legroom (f,r…inches) 43.9, 41.1, 42.3
Shoulder room (f,r…inches) 65.2, 65.1, 64.2
Hip room (f,r…inches) 61.9, 61.6, 51.4
Storage (cubic feet) 19.3, 57.5, 103.3 ; 34.3, 73.3, 120.2 (L)
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) NR
Towing (pounds) 8,100 to 8,700
Payload (pounds) NR
Fuel Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons) 23
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined) 16/23/19 (4×2); 16/21/18 (4×4)
Manufacturing Plant Louisville, Kentucky

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

2020 Lincoln Aviator

2020 Lincoln Aviator.

New for 2020, the Lincoln Aviator replaces the previous MKT. Like the Ford Explorer, the Aviator offers standard rear-wheel drive and available all-wheel drive. The previous model featured a front-wheel-drive platform. This move brings the Aviator in line with many of its competitors.

Since it is all-new from the ground up, the 2020 Aviator offers little connection to the previous model. Indeed, the departure is so strong that the Aviator seems like a scaled-down Navigator and that’s a good thing.

All models come with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine. The two top trims are plug-in hybrids, therefore they get an extra boost of power and all-electric range. It makes for an unusual combination and there is also a price premium to pay.

Among the Aviator’s chief competitors are the Cadillac XT6, Volvo XC90, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60, and the upcoming Genesis GV80.

2020 Lincoln Aviator Specifications

Lincoln 2020 Aviator
Segment Midsize crossover
Price Range $51,100 to $77,695
Destination Charge $1,095
Engine No. 1 3.0-liter, turbocharged V6
Horsepower 400 @ 5,000 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 415 @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Engine No.2 3.0-liter, V6
Horsepower 494 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 630 @ 2,250 rpm
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Seating 6 or 7
Curb Weight (pounds) 4,774 to 5,673
Wheelbase (inches) 119.1
Length (inches) 199.3
Width (inches) 79.6
Height (inches) 69.6
Headroom (f,r…inches) 41.5, 39.7, 36.9
Legroom (f,r…inches) 43.0, 40.1, 29.2
Shoulder room (f,r…inches) 61.5, 61.3, 54.0
Hip room (f,r…inches) 58.5, 58.3, 40.9
Storage (cubic feet) 18.3, 41.8, 77.7
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) NR
Towing (pounds) 5,600 to 6,700
Payload (pounds) NR
Fuel Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons) 20.2; 18(Grand Touring)
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined) 18/26/21 (RWD); 17/24/20 (AWD)
Manufacturing Plant Chicago, Illinois

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

2020 Lincoln Nautilus

2020 Lincoln Nautilus.

Previously called the MKX, the Nautilus name took over in 2019 as the line was updated. For 2020, the Select trim has been dropped. The rest of the updates include minor shuffling between trims.

Like the other three Lincoln models, this one has a Ford counterpart, the Edge. There are some important design and engine differences to help set this model apart. For instance, the standard engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder that’s available with front- or all-wheel drive. There is also a twin-turbo V6 that’s paired with all-wheel drive. Like other Lincoln models, a 10-speed automatic transmission routes power to the wheels.

The Nautilus faces stiff competition, including the Cadillac XT5, Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, Lexus RX, Audi Q5, BMW X5, Infiniti QX50, and the Acura RDX.

2020 Lincoln Nautilus Specifications

Lincoln 2020 Nautilus
Segment Midsize SUV
Price Range From $42,000
Destination Charge $995
Engine No. 1 2.0-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower 250 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 280 @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission 8-speed automatic
Engine No. 2 2.7-liter, turbo V6
Horsepower 335 @ 5,500
Torque (lb.-ft.) 380 @ 3,250 rpm
Transmission 8-speed automatic
Seating 5
Curb Weight (pounds) 4,142 to 4,305
Wheelbase (inches) 112.2
Length (inches) 190.0
Width (inches) 78.7
Height (inches) 66.2
Headroom (f,r…inches) 39.9, 39.2
Legroom (f,r…inches) 42.8, 39.6
Shoulder room (f,r…inches) 58.9, 59.0
Hip room (f,r…inches) 56.4, 55.6
Storage (cubic feet) 37.2, 68.8
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) NR
Towing (pounds) 3,500
Payload (pounds) NR
Fuel Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons) 18
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined) 21/26/23 (2.0L) 19/26/21 (2.7L)
Manufacturing Plant  

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.

2020 Lincoln Corsair

2020 Lincoln Corsair.

The Corsair is one of two all-new models for Lincoln. Notably, all four Lincoln SUVs have been replaced or updated since 2018. That gives Lincoln one of the freshest SUV segments in the market.

As the replacement for the MKC, the Corsair comes with a pair of turbocharged four-cylinder engine choices. The Corsair is related to the Ford Escape, but it has much unique design, technology, and powertrain differences.
Competition in this segment is fierce with each manufacturer offering at least one model.

Compare the Corsair to the Cadillac XT4, Infiniti QX30, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class, Lexus NX, BMW X3, Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, and a host of other small, luxury models.

2020 Lincoln Corsair Specifications

Lincoln 2020 Corsair
Segment Compact SUV
Price Range $35,945 to $42,630
Destination Charge $995
Engine No. 1 2.0-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower 245 @ 5,500 rpm
Torque (lb.-ft.) 275 @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission 8-speed automatic
Engine No. 2 2.3-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower 285 @ 5,500
Torque (lb.-ft.) 305 @ 2,750 rpm
Transmission 8-speed automatic
Seating 5
Curb Weight (pounds) 3,702 to 3,848
Wheelbase (inches) 106.7
Length (inches) 180.6
Width (inches) 76.2
Height (inches) 64.1
Headroom (f,r…inches) 39.5, 38.7
Legroom (f,r…inches) 43.2, 38.6
Shoulder room (f,r…inches) 57.1, 56.3
Hip room (f,r…inches) 55.6, 50.8
Storage (cubic feet) 27.6, 57.6
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) NR
Towing (pounds) 3,000
Payload (pounds) NR
Fuel Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons) 16.2
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway/combined) 22/29/25(FWD); 21/28/24(AWD)
Manufacturing Plant Louisville, Kentucky

Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer.


See AlsoUncovered: Ford Escape, Lincoln Corsair Engine Preview

Photos copyright Lincoln Motor Company.

Matthew Keegan
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