Man Gets Into Lincoln. Then He Notices It Has A Little-Known Perfume Feature: ‘My Car Just Asked If We’re Poor’

Cars are often reflections, in looks and scent, of their owners. And once an unsavory odor has become embedded in a vehicle’s interior, it can be frustratingly hard to get out. Things like a melted mango-scented candle or the forgotten beach towel can linger long after their welcome is over. 

So perhaps it is unsurprising that some luxury car brands are upgrading aroma delivery systems. Banished are the days of the pine-scented (and shaped) car fresheners. These days it’s essential oils and digital delivery systems—at least, according to Nico Rempel (@nicorempel), a TikTok content creator and car salesman. 

Lincoln: Smells like A Luxury Vehicle

In a TikTok with over 580,000 views, Rempel sits in the front seat of a new Lincoln vehicle. Probably already redolent with the smell of good leather, Rempel then layers another scent on top. But it’s not that the scent, “Mystic Forest,” is so unique; it’s the delivery system. With the center console open, the salesman says, “Lincoln has these perfume cartridges that go in here.” 

He pressed a button, and a small compartment in the interior lid of the console opens. Then, he produces a small white box with the Lincoln name and logo printed on it. He opens it, revealing three small, rectangular cartridges. Each is a “digital scent cartridge.”

The cartridges deliver a fragrance to the cabin of specific vehicles, as a presumed antidote to odors like wet dog and old French fries. Vehicles outfitted with the scent system are the Lincoln Nautilus 2024 through 2026 and the Lincoln Navigator 2025 at certain trim levels. Fragrances include names like Violet Cashmere, Ozonic Azure, Mystic Forest, Twilight Embers, Sunlight Retreat, and Serene Seashore. They’ve been praised on Reddit for their subtlety, and several users mention that they go “nose blind” and no longer notice the aroma in their vehicles. 

“I rarely use them, but when I do I definitely smell them, but even fifteen to twenty minutes into a ride I don't notice them as much until the next time I get in, if I even turn it on again,” wrote u/MarchMadnessisMe. 

Another user offers a tip to ensure that the system is working: Always be sure to remove the “remove before using” stickers on the cartridge. That will help the system work the way it's designed to. 

Scents Have Always Been Used To Improve Air Quality

Drift, a car and home scent company, reports that in ancient Rome, the city used “several thousand tons of imported frankincense and a few hundred tons of myrrh yearly to mask the odorous stench put off by their rituals.”  

Then, through history, perfume and scents have been used to indicate status, wealth, and comfort. But it wasn’t until the 1950s that the problem of odors in cars was tackled in a programmatic way. 

Julius Sämann has been credited with creating the world’s first car freshener. He was trying to solve the problem of the smell of sour milk that “clung to” his milkman’s truck. So, he invented the hanging car freshener with a fresh pine scent—though the first car fresheners were shaped like pin-up models. It wasn’t until he patented the product around 1956 that he changed the shape to the now-iconic little tree cutout. The brand Little Trees was born. 

Jokes, Complaints, and Corrections Abound 

The internet seems less interested in smelling good things than complaining about recent Lincoln purchases. 

“Lincoln is terrible. I have a brand new 2026 Navigator and I literally drove 8 hours with the heat blasting on full because a software update failed and the system randomly malfunctioned ... The built-in scents are useless, my battery barely holds a charge anymore, and good luck even getting into or starting the vehicle when it dies,” vented Natasha Noēl (@natashanoel_).

While Landless European (@justawhitey) said the three varieties his car has are of the more pragmatic type: “My car has three different brands of tires,” he wrote.

At least one user focused on the digital scent cartridge feature, writing, "This was the feature I was excited about most but has been the biggest disappointment in my ‘25 navi."

Another user, Brent (@aquaberrydolphin12), then joked, “That’s cool but I don’t like the way they smell, so I bought a 30 year old dodge.” 

Keeping Vehicles Odor-Free 

Between the summer heat and the relentless use most vehicles get, cars can become rolling stink machines. For those who do not have a digital scent system, there are always aftermarket air fresheners to help improve vehicle environments. Beyond just covering up malodorous situations, there are a few tricks to improve a vehicle’s air quality. 

First off, remove all the accumulated junk in the car: old flip-flops, empty drink bottles, and even forgotten paper bags can contribute to a less fresh smell. Next, vacuum the vehicle (including the seats and cargo area), and do so regularly. Then, wash the mats and wipe down all the hard surfaces. Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and seats, let it sit overnight, and vacuum up the next day. Finally, consider a scent of your choice (even if it is shaped like a tree).

Motor1 reached out to Nico Rempel via TikTok direct message and with a comment on the post. We also reached out to Lincoln via the Ford media email. We will update this article if they reply.