There’s a difference between a one-night stand, a moment that’s a passing fancy, and true love, which is something deeper, where you can experience a person’s inner being. It’s not so much different when it comes to a new SUV. A flashy exterior may catch your eye, and it might provide an afternoon’s worth of fun. But is it a worthwhile long-term proposition? A great dance partner that’s always there for you?

That’s what makes the redesigned 2024 Lincoln Nautilus a game-changing automobile, and it’s not the 2024 Lincoln Nautilus’ handsome new wardrobe. Rather, it’s the remarkable new interior that proves revelatory. Kemal Curic, design director for Lincoln, took a more radical approach than most design directors. In an era when too many automotive designers offhandedly slap a tablet in the center of dashboard with little to no thought, Curic and his team gave the driver’s interaction with digital displays some thought. The result is a stunning 48-inch display that spans the width of the interior and is nestled just below the windshield far ahead of the driver. The dashboard itself is lower, while the steering wheel is somewhat squared off, providing an unobstructed view of the sweeping panoramic screen.

“We wanted it to be almost immersive, with it wrapping around you,” Curic said at the Nautilus’ unveiling last year. “But you have all your information and all the content you need in your eyesight.”

It’s controlled by a smaller secondary 11.1-inch touchscreen placed close to the driver on the center console. While the left half of the screen contains the sort of information you’d expect, such as speed, transmission readout, fuel, and navigation screen, the other half can be customized, or turned off entirely. The panoramic screen’s shape is accentuated by the air vents, which consist of a simple, single metal-trimmed opening beneath it. The vents can be set to oscillate, much like a fan, so the air isn’t blowing directly on you.

It's part of a larger option called Lincoln Rejuvenate, which enhances your surroundings with a choice of three scents that permeate the cabin: the earthy Mythic Forest, the aromatic Ozonic Azure, and the crisp, fresh Violet Cashmere. When the vehicle is parked, seat massaging actuates, while the 48-inch panoramic display shows soothing scenes. It’s an effort by Curic to create a special immersive space, something luxuriously unexpected. And he’s succeeded.

Some of the interior elements, such as the seats and exterior door handles, are drawn from the late, lamented Lincoln Continental sedan. But other elements are fresh, inviting and comforting, including the ambient lighting and up-to-date tech package. Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and integrated Amazon Alexa make taking your digital life with you far easier than Cadillac, which is eliminating them in favor its own system.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is built in Hangzhou, China, and is offered in base Premiere, mid-level Reserve and top-of-the-line Black Label trim. All-wheel drive is standard. Two powertrains are offered, both featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. On base models, it produces 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. It’s EPA rated at 24 mpg in mixed city/highway driving. Pricier models receive the same engine as part of a more-powerful gas-electric hybrid that generates 310 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque through a continuously variable automatic transmission. It returns an EPA-rated 30 mpg in mixed city/highway driving.

As you might expect, the Nautilus comes with a number of advanced driver assistance systems, of which Blue Cruise is one. While the Level 2 semi-autonomous driving works as advertised, it can be annoying. The system instantaneously scolds you the nanosecond you turn your head away to adjust the climate control or advance to the next music track. It’s oppressive, transforming what should be a relaxing into anything but.

Of the two drivelines, the pricier hybrid is the one to get. It provides the smooth effortless power you’d expect from a Lincoln. It’s suave and refined, with the hybrid power making up for any turbo lag from the four-cylinder engine that you’ll feel in the far less sophisticated base driveline.

The 2024 Lincoln Nautilus is a cruiser, not a bruiser. So driving is meant to be a comforting, relaxing experience. It’s not sporty, but it is surprisingly competent and confident. For those seeking a more sporting experience, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

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