Lincoln Nautilus named MotorTrend’s 2025 SUV of the year. Meet the team behind the winning vehicle.

MotorTrend Group named the Lincoln Nautilus its 2025 SUV of the Year, saying the vehicle “takes the Lincoln brand to the next level with an x-factor that captivated MotorTrend’s judges.”  

The prestigious MotorTrend awards are based on six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence, and performance of intended function. 

“The right SUV is the perfect combination of style, comfort, and first-class driving experience – and the Nautilus delivers on every front. Each occupant, including backseat passengers, feels valued,” said Ed Loh, MotorTrend Group’s head of Editorial. “The Lincoln Nautilus Hybrid also combines a compelling luxury experience mixed with uncompromised fuel efficiency, all at a competitive price.” 

The win, announced on Thursday, is especially sweet for the team, which designed the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus in the thick of the COVID-19 global pandemic. With design, engineering, and marketing teams quarantined in different countries, the stage was set for a unique challenge.  

“The Lincoln team stepped up during the hardest time when we couldn’t collaborate in person. We picked up brand-new virtual tools. We worked across countries, across different time zones, and got real-time feedback. We worked 24 hours a day relentlessly to make this product the best it can be,” said Kemal Curic, global design director, Lincoln. “The collaboration and the way the team embraced the virtual tools was just outstanding.” 

It was a very different process for a team accustomed to in-person meetings and traditional physical models. But at the same time, Curic said, the circumstances fostered an inside-out approach – particularly regarding the vehicle user experience – that he believes ultimately made the Nautilus a standout in the crowded SUV market.  

“We thought about the client first and how they were going to interact digitally with the vehicle, and then we created the hardware around it,” he said. “It was about leveraging the technology in a human and meaningful way, really listening to our clients about what they liked and disliked and thinking about how we could improve their lives.” 

Megan McKenzie, head of U.S. Marketing, Lincoln, said the 48-inch panoramic display, which spans the entire dash, is a perfect example of the way the team kept customer needs top of mind. 

“The horizontal lines create a calming environment in the interior, and the display is at eye level, so the client gets the information they need and it’s not taking their focus away from the road,” she said. “It took a lot of hard work from engineers, designers, and software teams working on the display and Lincoln Digital Experience, but it really stands out.”

The strong collaboration between marketing and design played a key role in Nautilus’ success.

“When we kicked off Nautilus, we partnered together to ensure the full global team understood both the Lincoln brand and what is important to our Nautilus clients and inspires them,” said McKenzie. 

“Keeping the bodyside pure and clean and having the door integrated on the body are Lincoln signatures since the Continental days. This is what makes Lincoln a Lincoln,” said Curic. “The biggest magic happens when you open the doors. The feedback I’m getting is that clients never want to get out of their vehicles. It’s that good, and I think that’s ‘mission accomplished’ for the team. The vehicle is fun to drive, but at the same time, it’s so quiet. And if you want to listen to music, it’s the best place to do that. Whatever your preferences are, this becomes your sanctuary – whatever sanctuary means to you.” 

Curic said winning the 2025 Motor Trend SUV of the Year Award, especially in the ultra-competitive SUV market, is a testament to the great work from the team.  

“We do know how to win. We do know how to create these winning proposals in vehicles. This is a great testament to what happens when everything comes together well and when the teams are really motivated and engaged,” he said. “I just want to thank our entire team around the globe for their contributions. It takes a village.”