Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
Think of Lincoln Black Label as the Johnnie Walker Blue of Scotch Whisky or the Tiffany & Co. of high-end jewelry. The defining auto line is exquisite, sumptuous, and endearing, especially the Merlot hued interior of my Lincoln Nautilus Black Label midsize utility vehicle. Instantly, the inviting cabin — with its opulent touches — made me feel more important than my current disposition. Yet, this is no coincidence since Lincoln orchestrated these collective efforts to appease and entice current and potential owners.
Lincoln titled its luxury 5-passenger SUV after the nocturnal sea creature of the same name that expends most of its days in the deep end of the ocean. The impressive animal’s sturdy, spiral chambered shell is beautifully reminiscent of pearls. With a Burgundy Velvet Metallic exterior and Onyx Venetian Leather interior, Lincoln describes this fusion of color and technology as the Gala Theme. From an artisan point of view, the contrasting pleasures of a prestigious cosmopolitan event, traditional fusing with visionary, and drama merging with romance is the abstract perspective. Lincoln connoisseurs may also select a Chalet Theme and Thoroughbred Theme.
With a total price of $66,635, excluding the $995 destination fee, the 2019 Nautilus Black Label I was evaluating for the week had an MSRP of $59,390. A Nautilus devoid of the Black Label starts at $40,340 for a 2019 model and $41,040 for a 2020 model.
The stocky build of the utility vehicle is highlighted by an enchanting grille, 21” spiral-styled rims wrapped in 265/40 R21 Continental tires which fill the wheel wells, embedded exhaust tips, an aggressive tailgate spoiler, full LED lighting, and a panoramic vista roof. The Nautilus Black Label sits strong and poised and looks daring when fluid in motion.
There are a few engine options for this nameplate. My loaner was packaged with the twin-turbo 2.7-liter GTDI V6 and paired alongside Lincoln’s paddle-shifting 8-speed SelectShift automatic. Though, the transmission jerks when you turn the ignition off, which was a bizarre feeling. In place of the typical gear shift selector, you will find pushbuttons aligned vertically to the left of the center stack to actuate the drive modes, including sport mode. A few brands such as Aston Martin have gone this route. The vehicle’s power is adequate, and acceleration is good. Expect 19-city and 26-highway miles per gallon.
Once inside, the 22-way, multi-contour driver seat will satisfy along with ambient lighting, dual-zone electronic auto climate control, and heated rear and front seats. However, the chair could not be lowered, so my head was closer to the ceiling than I would have liked. The leather-wrapped steering wheel (power tilt and telescoping) was taut and hinted at the strong quality of the front suspension. Overall, the premium Nautilus Black Label comes off heavy and rugged to handle various road conditions. Double storage pockets under the center console are clever, and the digitization of the multi-media system by way of SYNC3 simplifies driver commands and expectations. A wireless charge pad for smartphones and Lincoln Connect with WiFi is also at your disposal. The 19-speaker REVEL Ultima Audio System is well balanced and kept me rocking during drive time. I was also happy to see the grand amount of storage space in the rear during holiday shopping sprees.
Of course, the Nautilus Black Label is smart, safety-focused, and tech-heavy. Active safety systems include a 360-degree video camera package, Active Park Assist that searches for a spot large enough to parallel park the vehicle in, Dynamic Brake Support, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Keeping System, Pedestrian Detection Personal Safety System, and AWD for raining or snowy winter days.
As you see, the Nautilus is brilliant and daring. Add on Lincoln Black Label, and you begin to feel the comradery of country club members with special considerations. Some of the essential services include:
- Culinary Collection, where you can enjoy access to a curated list of exquisite restaurants that will provide a complimentary dinner for two for new members.
- Complimentary car washes and annual detailing to keep your vehicle in pristine condition.
- Benefits of a premium maintenance plan that covers all recommended services.
- Complimentary pickup, delivery, and a loaner Lincoln and service on your schedule.
Indeed, I vicariously absorbed the benefits of becoming a Lincoln Black Label owner since I couldn’t take advantage of the full listing in just a week. But most certainly, one can admire the mindset of those that venture down the path of the “high life.” Enjoy that!
