There might be a lot of midsize luxury SUVs to choose from, but not all the options are good. If you hadn’t considered the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus as one of the best midsize SUVs, there are more reasons for the argument than against it. With plenty of driver-assistance technology, the Nautilus earned high safety scores from the IIHS and NHTSA. Even if it isn’t the most exciting ride, this vehicle prioritizes comfort, luxury, and safety, which is all we can really ask for in a daily driver.

Is the safest midsize SUV also the best?

Even if the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus technically isn’t the best midsize SUV, it is one of the safest, according to U.S. News. The midsize SUV category is pretty full of great options, so it isn’t the fault of the Nautilus. It has class-leading cargo space, and the seats offer great comfort for all five passengers.

Lincoln is known for its luxury SUVs, and the interior of the 2023 Nautilus is impressive. There are two engine choices, a 250 horsepower turbo four-cylinder or a 335 horsepower twin-turbo V6. It also comes with front or all-wheel drive, which is helpful for those who might need extra traction. Either way, the SUV is cushy and easy to drive. Cameras on the exterior make parking easier, but the surround-view camera is a helpful addition for those who struggle with parking.

If there is one other place that the Lincoln Nautilus excels, it is the areas of safety. On top of that, the reliable luxury vehicle earned a predicted reliability score of 88 out of 100 from J.D. Power. Safety and reliability are some of the biggest factors that shoppers consider these days, and the Lincoln brand is known for accomplishing both.

How safe is the best midsize SUV from Lincoln?

Lincoln included many standard driver-assistance features on the Nautilus. These include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and lane-keep assist are also standard.

These safety systems led the Nautilus to earn high scores on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests. The midsize luxury SUV earned the Top Safety Pick award after getting the highest score of “good” on all seven crashworthiness tests. Lincoln’s headlights on the Nautilus earned two different scores, good and acceptable.

The Black Label and the Reserve trim with the ultimate package received LED projector headlights. These LED projector lights provided good visibility and did not exceed glare limits. The Nautilus Base, Select, and Reserve trims received LED reflector headlights that earned an “acceptable” score.

For a luxury SUV, this Lincoln offers good value

Landing in the more affordable range of midsize SUVs, the 2023 Lincoln Nautilus starts at $44,825, and the Reserve trim starts at $51,040. For the fully loaded Nautilus Black Label, that starts at $67,245. Lincoln offers many different packages to add upgraded wheels and more safety systems, but those aren’t necessary. Even the base model is well-equipped.

In the luxury SUV segment, most vehicles start higher than $60,000 and only go up from there. At the end of the day, the Lincoln Nautilus offers a comfortable and well-appointed interior with high-quality materials, advanced technology, and ample passenger space.