Used 2021 Lincoln Aviator for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator cost?

Prices have softened 13.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,225 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Lincoln Aviator earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Safety.

Owners consistently praise its comfort, luxurious feel, and powerful performance, and they also like the spacious, well-designed interior. The Aviator is aimed at you if you want a premium three-row SUV with a more upscale feel than many rivals.

The main trade-offs are a cramped third row and sluggish touchscreen response, and advanced safety features are not standard. Even so, the market shows 31.1% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there are still attractive opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels comfortable, luxurious, and powerful over time, with many drivers appreciating the well-designed cabin and upscale experience. The expert evaluation also describes the Aviator as a serious, confident luxury SUV with a strong overall package, which supports the impression that it is built to satisfy owners who plan to keep it.

The powertrain and cabin quality help it feel like a vehicle you can count on for long-term use, especially if you value refinement over simplicity. For used buyers, the biggest ownership risk is making sure the touchscreen, rear-seat usability, and safety equipment meet your expectations before you commit.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Lincoln Aviator?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free listings are strong but not universal. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the touchscreen, rear-seat space, and overall cabin condition, since those are the areas most likely to affect day-to-day satisfaction. It also helps to compare trim equipment closely so you know which comfort and safety features are included on the exact vehicle you’re considering.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Standard trim includes synthetic leather upholstery, tri-zone climate control, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, heated front seats, remote start, and a power liftgate. Reserve adds 12-way power-adjustable front seats, upgraded leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, a hands-free power liftgate, second-row captain's chairs, a panoramic sunroof, and a 12-speaker Revel premium stereo system.
• Powertrain: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims use a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, while Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label add a plug-in hybrid setup with 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid can travel up to 21 miles on electric power when fully charged.
• Safety package: The standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Co-Pilot 360 Plus adds reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control that can stop and go with traffic.
• Infotainment: You get a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system also includes redundant controls below the screen, and the available head-up display adds another layer of convenience.
• Fuel efficiency: The RWD model returns 18 mpg city, 26 highway, and 21 combined. The AWD version returns 17 mpg city, 24 highway, and 20 combined, while the plug-in hybrid is rated at 56 MPGe and offers 21 miles of electric range.

Which 2021 Lincoln Aviator trim should I buy?

The 2021 Lincoln Aviator is offered in 5 trim levels: Standard, Reserve, Grand Touring, Black Label, and Black Label Grand Touring.

Here's the short version:

• Standard: This is the entry point, but it still gives you a strong luxury baseline with heated front seats, remote start, a power liftgate, and the standard 10.1-inch touchscreen. It makes sense if you want the Aviator experience at the lowest starting point.
• Reserve: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds upgraded leather upholstery, four-zone climate control, a hands-free power liftgate, second-row captain's chairs, a panoramic sunroof, and a 12-speaker Revel premium stereo system.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid powertrain and stronger output, plus adaptive headlights and the Elements Package Plus content that adds a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats.
• Black Label: This trim layers on the Convenience and Luxury packages as standard equipment, including a head-up display, wireless device charging, a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system, and heated, ventilated, massaging front seats.
• Black Label Grand Touring: This is the top-end choice if you want the plug-in hybrid powertrain with nearly every available feature included, plus the Dynamic Handling Package.

The standard safety package is already well equipped, and the available Co-Pilot 360 Plus package adds even more driver assistance features.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Lincoln Aviator?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer's market, so you can shop with some leverage if you know what you want.

• Deal availability: 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,225 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,987, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator's resale value?

The current average of $29,987 sits slightly below last year's $34,810.

That decline suggests the Aviator has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means a future seller may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy well now, you may benefit from the softer market, but resale will depend on how well the vehicle holds up and how desirable its equipment remains.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator safe?

The Aviator earns a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS and top marks in evaluation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

The standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 package includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and front-and-rear parking sensors. Available Co-Pilot 360 Plus adds reverse automatic braking, self-parking functionality, and adaptive cruise control that can stop and go with traffic.

One caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard on every trim, so you should confirm exactly which driver-assistance equipment is included on the used vehicle you’re considering.

Should I buy a 2021 Lincoln Aviator or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 31.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines strong luxury appeal with a 7.8/10 expert score and top safety recognition.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,628, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $29,987 average.
• It emphasizes comfort, multiple powertrain options, and an upscale feel.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-market value story and a well-rounded luxury SUV, the 2021 is the better starting point. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path and still delivers much of the same core appeal.

How does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator compare to the 2021 Ford Explorer?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Lincoln Aviator:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Great ride quality, Premium interior materials.
• Cons: Cramped third row, Sluggish touchscreen response, Advanced safety features are not standard.

2021 Ford Explorer:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Great handling, Spacious third row.
• Cons: Interior materials feel cheap, Advanced safety features are not standard.

Our experts score the 2021 Lincoln Aviator 7.8/10 and the 2021 Ford Explorer 7.5/10. The Aviator is the better pick if you care most about ride quality and premium materials. The Explorer has the advantage if you want a roomier third row and a lower used price. Both offer multiple powertrain options, but the Aviator feels more upscale while the Explorer leans more practical.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.