The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus, a luxury SUV, stands out not only for its opulent design and comfortable ride but also for its robust safety features and impressive crash test performance. Based on evaluations conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lincoln Nautilus 2021 shares its safety ratings with the Lincoln MKX (models before 2019) and the Ford Edge (2019 onwards), due to structural similarities. This article delves into the detailed safety ratings of the Lincoln Nautilus 2021, providing a comprehensive overview for potential buyers and safety enthusiasts.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Driver-Side
The Lincoln Nautilus 2021 achieved a “Good” rating in the driver-side small overlap front crash test, indicating a high level of protection in one of the most challenging crash scenarios. This test simulates a collision where only a small portion of the vehicle’s front end on the driver’s side impacts with a rigid object.
In terms of structural performance and safety cage integrity, the Nautilus earned a “Good” rating, signifying that the vehicle’s structure effectively maintained its integrity during the crash. Driver injury measures were also rated “Good” across all categories, including head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot, demonstrating effective occupant protection. The vehicle’s restraint systems and dummy kinematics were also deemed “Good,” highlighting the effectiveness of airbags and seatbelts in controlling occupant movement during the impact.
Technical measurements from the driver-side small overlap test reveal specific intrusion levels and injury metrics. Intrusion into the lower occupant compartment was measured at a maximum of 9 cm at the lower hinge pillar, 4 cm at the footrest and left toepan, and 5 cm at the brake pedal. Upper occupant compartment intrusion reached 2 cm at the steering column, 8 cm at the upper hinge pillar, 5 cm at the upper dash, and 6 cm at the lower instrument panel.
Driver injury measures were remarkably low. The Head Injury Criterion (HIC-15) was recorded at 69, with no head contact during the test. Neck tension was measured at 0.9 kN, and the maximum Nij (neck injury criterion) was 0.20. Chest compression was minimal at 26 mm. Femur forces were low for both left (0.8 kN) and right (0.6 kN) legs, with minimal knee displacement. Tibia index and axial forces were also well within acceptable limits, indicating a low risk of leg and foot injuries.
Small Overlap Front Crash Test: Passenger-Side
Mirroring its driver-side performance, the Lincoln Nautilus 2021 also earned a “Good” overall rating in the passenger-side small overlap front crash test. This evaluation, conducted by Ford and assessed by IIHS, ensures passenger safety in a similar frontal collision scenario but on the opposite side of the vehicle.
The structural integrity and safety cage performance once again received a “Good” rating. Passenger injury measures were uniformly “Good” across all categories – head/neck, chest, hip/thigh, and lower leg/foot. Similarly, passenger restraints and dummy kinematics were rated “Good”, indicating effective protection for front-seat passengers. Driver injury measures are also reported in this test and also received “Good” ratings across the board, demonstrating consistent safety performance for both occupants.
Technical data from the passenger-side test shows comparable occupant compartment intrusion. Lower compartment intrusion reached 9 cm at the lower hinge pillar, 3 cm at the footrest, 4 cm at the right toepan, and 2 cm at the center toepan. Upper compartment intrusion measured 4 cm at the center dash, 7 cm at the upper hinge pillar, 5 cm at the upper dash, and 7 cm at the right lower dash.
Passenger injury measurements remained low. The HIC-15 for the passenger head was 110, with no head contact. Neck tension was 0.9 kN, and the maximum Nij was 0.19. Chest compression was 25 mm. Femur forces were minimal, and knee displacement was also low. Tibia index and axial forces were again within safe limits, indicating a low risk of injuries for the passenger. Driver injury measures also showed excellent results, consistent with the passenger safety performance.
Moderate Overlap Front Crash Test: Original Test
In the moderate overlap front crash test, another critical assessment of frontal impact safety, the Lincoln Nautilus 2021 continued to demonstrate its safety prowess with a “Good” overall rating. This test involves a larger portion of the vehicle’s front end impacting a deformable barrier.
The structure and safety cage of the Nautilus were again rated “Good.” Driver injury measures were also “Good” across all categories: head/neck, chest, and leg/foot (both left and right). Driver restraints and dummy kinematics performed at a “Good” level, ensuring effective occupant protection in a moderate frontal collision.
Technical measurements from the moderate overlap test revealed minimal occupant compartment intrusion. Footwell intrusion was measured at 3 cm at the footrest, 5 cm on the left, 3 cm at the center, and 6 cm on the right. Instrument panel rearward movement was negligible, and steering column movement was also minimal. A-pillar rearward movement was effectively zero.
Driver injury measures were again favorable. The HIC-15 was 189, with no head contact. Neck tension was 1.1 kN, and the maximum Nij was 0.25. Chest compression was 26 mm. Leg injury metrics were also low, with femur forces and tibia index values well within safe ranges for both legs.
Side Impact Crash Test: Original Test
The side impact crash test, simulating a vehicle being struck on the side by another vehicle, is crucial for evaluating side impact protection. The Lincoln Nautilus 2021 achieved a “Good” overall rating in this test, further solidifying its safety credentials.
The structure and safety cage earned a “Good” rating, confirming robust side structure. Driver injury measures were “Good” across all categories: head/neck, torso, and pelvis/leg. Driver head protection was also rated “Good,” highlighting the effectiveness of side airbags and structural design in protecting the driver’s head. Rear passenger injury measures and head protection also received “Good” ratings, ensuring safety for rear occupants in side impact scenarios.
Technical measurements from the side impact test showed minimal B-pillar intrusion (-20.0 cm), indicating effective structural resistance. Driver and passenger injury measures were low. Head HIC-15 values were 89 for the driver and 68 for the passenger. Neck, shoulder, torso, and pelvis injury metrics were all within safe limits for both front and rear occupants.
Roof Strength Test
The roof strength test assesses the vehicle’s ability to withstand forces in a rollover scenario. The Lincoln Nautilus 2021 achieved a “Good” overall rating in roof strength, demonstrating a strong roof structure.
With a curb weight of 4,489 lbs, the Nautilus withstood a peak force of 23,376 lbs, resulting in a strength-to-weight ratio of 5.21. This strong ratio signifies that the roof can withstand more than five times the vehicle’s weight, providing substantial protection in rollover accidents.
Head Restraints & Seats
Evaluations of head restraints and seats are essential for minimizing neck injuries in rear-end collisions. The Lincoln Nautilus 2021 earned a “Good” overall rating in this category, equipped with power leather seats.
Both dynamic rating and seat/head restraint geometry were rated “Good.” Technical measurements indicated excellent geometry with a backset of 17 mm and a distance below the top of the head of 12 mm. The seat design parameters passed the test criteria, with low neck forces measured during dynamic testing.
Headlights
Headlight performance is critical for nighttime visibility and accident prevention. The IIHS tested three different headlight variations available on the Lincoln Nautilus 2021, with varying results.
For Reserve and Black Label trims built after March 2021, equipped with LED projector headlights, the overall rating was “Good.” These headlights provided good visibility on straightaways and curves, with high-beam assist further enhancing illumination.
However, for Base, Select, and Reserve trims (and Reserve/Black Label trims built before April 2021), equipped with LED reflector or projector headlights, the overall ratings were “Poor” or “Marginal.” These headlights exhibited issues with glare and inadequate illumination in certain driving scenarios, particularly curves. It is important for consumers to be aware of the headlight type equipped on their specific trim level and production date, as performance varies significantly.
Front Crash Prevention: Vehicle-to-Vehicle & Pedestrian
The Lincoln Nautilus 2021 excels in front crash prevention, offering both vehicle-to-vehicle and pedestrian detection systems.
For vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention, both the standard and optional systems earned a “Superior” rating. These systems successfully avoided collisions in both 12 mph and 25 mph tests and meet forward collision warning requirements.
Pedestrian front crash prevention systems also earned “Advanced” ratings for both standard and optional systems. These systems demonstrated effective speed reduction or collision avoidance in various pedestrian crossing scenarios, both during the day.
Child Seat Anchors (LATCH)
Child seat anchor ease of use is crucial for safe child passenger transport. The Lincoln Nautilus 2021 received “Acceptable” and “Marginal” ratings for LATCH ease of use, depending on the trim level (Select and Reserve respectively).
Both trims have two rear seating positions with complete LATCH hardware and an additional position with a tether anchor. However, the lower anchors were noted to be too deep in the seat and, in the Reserve trim, required excessive force to attach child seats, leading to the lower ratings.
Conclusion
The Lincoln Nautilus 2021 demonstrates strong safety performance across a range of IIHS crash tests and safety evaluations. Earning “Good” ratings in most crashworthiness categories, along with “Superior” and “Advanced” ratings for front crash prevention systems, the Nautilus provides a high level of occupant protection. However, potential buyers should be aware of headlight performance variations across different trims and production dates, and consider the “Acceptable” or “Marginal” ratings for child seat anchor ease of use. Overall, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is a safe and reliable luxury SUV, offering peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike.
