2025 Lincoln Nautilus: Premiere vs. Reserve Trims
The Lincoln Nautilus, a staple in the luxury midsize SUV market since its inception, has had a substantial redesign for 2025. Positioned between the compact Corsair and the full-size Aviator, the 2025 Nautilus showcases the sophistication and technological advancements Lincoln is famous for, standing as a symbol of luxury, power, and innovation.
Nautilus received MotorTrend's 2025 SUV of the Year award. This article explores two popular Nautilus trims: the Premiere and Reserve. We asked our SUV experts to compare and contrast these trims to help you decide which model best suits your needs.
Premiere Trim Overview
The Nautilus Premiere trim, with an MSRP of $51,890, offers a blend of luxury and value. Exterior features include LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, and various color options to suit personal styles.
Inside, the Nautilus Premiere offers Lincoln Soft Touch seats and standard comforts such as dual-zone climate control and power-adjustable front seats. The SUV boasts a generous cargo space of 36.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats, but you can expand it to 71.3 cubic feet by folding down the seats.
The technology suite features an 11.1-inch infotainment display running the latest SYNC 4 system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, alongside the segment's largest panoramic display that stretches the length of the dashboard. A premium 10-speaker audio system delivers theater-quality sound. The Lincoln Co-Pilot360 keeps you and your passengers safe with its standard driver-assistance technologies, such as blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alerts.
Under the hood, you'll find a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 engine that delivers 250 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. You can opt for a hybrid variant that boosts hp to 310 and enjoys efficiency ratings of 30 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
Reserve Trim Overview
Starting at an MSRP of $61,110, the Nautilus Reserve trim introduces a suite of exclusive enhancements. On the exterior, it offers unique 21-inch wheels, advanced lighting features, and a stunning panoramic vista roof.
Interior luxury boasts premium leather seating surfaces, natural wood or aluminum trims, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated seats. The cargo space remains unchanged, preserving its practicality.
The technology package includes a 13-speaker Revel audio system for an immersive sound experience, complemented by a head-up display and wireless charging.
Safety sees upgrades with enhanced driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control and intuitive parking assistance. Performance retains the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine but adds adaptive suspension for improved handling and comfort.
Detailed Comparisons
Let's explore the key differences and features of the 2025 Lincoln Nautilus's Premiere and Reserve trims, highlighting how each option caters to varying preferences in luxury, technology, and performance.
Exterior Design
The Nautilus distinguishes its trims through subtle design cues. The Premiere features a classic Lincoln grille, while the Reserve offers a more pronounced design. The lighting setup on the Reserve includes distinctive LED signatures, enhancing presence on the road. The Premiere's 19-inch alloys contrast with the Reserve's exclusive 21-inch designs when considering wheels. Color options for both trims range widely, but the Reserve includes metallic paints.
Interior Comfort and Luxury
The Premiere utilizes Lincoln Soft Touch seating, and the Reserve indulges with authentic leather. Both trims offer exceptional adjustability for front occupants, but passengers in the Reserve benefit from greater comfort through heated and ventilated seats. Ambient lighting varies from essential to customizable colors in the higher trim. Both maintain superior cabin quietness thanks to advanced sound insulation techniques.
Technology and Infotainment
The Reserve's 13-speaker audio system delivers higher-quality sound. Both trims support smart integration, but the Reserve adds seamless wireless navigation options, voice command features, and charging pads for electronic devices.
Audio Systems
The Premiere's standard system offers decent sound quality, but moving to the Reserve unlocks the Revel audio experience with 13 finely tuned speakers, enhanced wattage, and unmatched sound fidelity.
Driver-Assistance and Safety Features
Lincoln Co-Pilot360 features provide baseline safety across both trims, including pre-collision assist and lane-keep assist. The Reserve, however, has advanced aids such as evasive steering assist and a comprehensive surround-view camera system. While official ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are pending, past models scored high in safety.
Performance and Handling
Both trims harness a powerful 2.0-liter turbo engine. While the Premiere ensures robust performance, the Reserve's adaptive suspension enhances ride quality, offering a smoother experience over variable terrains.
Fuel Efficiency
The estimated fuel economies are similar, with the Reserve potentially experiencing slight variances due to added weight and technological features. Both trims are formidable, with top ratings above 30 mpg.
Customization and Packages
Various packages, such as the Trailer Tow Class I package and the Jet Appearance package, allow owners to tailor their Nautilus to their personal preferences. The Reserve model has trim-exclusive options, such as advanced tech packages and cosmetic enhancements, and offers more personalization.
Price and Value Analysis
Estimating a $9,000 difference between the two trims, the Reserve justifies its cost through enhanced luxury features and technological advances. Factoring in potential resale value, buyers will see better returns with the prestige of the Reserve model.
Customer Profiles
Luxury seekers who prioritize value without compromising on essentials love the Premiere trim, while the Reserve suits those looking to indulge in higher-tech features and premium interior materials. Reserve often fits a lifestyle that pairs luxury with functionality.
Competitive Landscape
In an already saturated market, the 2025 Nautilus stands strong against competitors such as the BMW X5 and Audi Q5 by offering unique selling points such as superior interior space and unparalleled luxury features across both trims.
Discover the 2025 Nautilus at Jim Burke Lincoln
You can feel comfortable choosing between the Premiere and Reserve trims, knowing that both offer substantial value and quality and can fit your individual needs and preferences. Jim Burke Lincoln, located on Gasoline Alley Drive in Bakersfield, invites you to explore the new 2025 Lincoln Nautilus. We offer test-drives, financing options, and expert maintenance services. Experience the luxury and performance of the Nautilus today by browsing our inventory online. You can also visit our showroom and speak with one of our experts. They'll answer your questions and coordinate a test-drive of your preferred Nautilus trim.