Used 2021 Lincoln Aviator for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator cost?

Prices have softened 14.79% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,168 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. They also highlight the spacious, well-designed interior and the high-end features that make it feel upscale.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: the third row is cramped, and some owners mention road noise and the auto stop-start feature. In use-case terms, this is the kind of SUV that fits you best if you want a refined three-row luxury vehicle and can live with a few practicality compromises.

The market shows 33.9% of listings as good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reliable?

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

Owners describe it as comfortable, luxurious, and powerful, and they also point to a well-designed cabin that feels substantial over time. The feedback suggests you can count on it for a premium ownership experience, especially if those qualities matter more to you than a minimalist or sporty setup.

The expert review also emphasizes that the Aviator is built to deliver a smooth, confident driving experience with a strong sense of refinement. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is that higher-end features and complex systems can be more expensive to live with if they need attention.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean at first glance. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the cabin electronics, touchscreen response, and rear-seat usability, since those are the kinds of areas that can matter most in daily use. Focus on overall condition and maintenance records so you can separate a well-kept example from one that has been used hard.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Standard trim comes with 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. Grand Touring adds a plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and the Elements Package Plus, which brings a heated steering wheel plus heated and ventilated front seats. Black Label adds the Convenience and Luxury packages as standard, including a head-up display, wireless device charging, and a 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system. Black Label Grand Touring adds the Dynamic Handling Package and nearly every optional feature. The Reserve is the best-value trim if you want the strongest mix of luxury features without jumping to the highest prices.
• Powertrain: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label trims use a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Grand Touring and Grand Touring Black Label use the same twin-turbo V6 in plug-in hybrid form, with 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque. The conventional setup delivers robust acceleration, while the plug-in hybrid adds even more punch and 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. Advanced safety features are not standard on every trim.
• Infotainment: You get a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system uses a landscape layout, and the cabin also includes redundant controls below the screen. An 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. The plug-in hybrid is rated at 56 MPGe and can travel up to 21 miles on electric power.

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 synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, remote start, and a power liftgate. It makes sense if you want the Aviator experience at the lowest starting point.
• Reserve: This is the best-value trim because it adds upgraded leather, four-zone climate control, second-row captain's chairs, a panoramic sunroof, and the 12-speaker Revel stereo. If you want the sweet spot between price and luxury, this is the one to target.
• Grand Touring: Choose this if you want the plug-in hybrid powertrain and the extra equipment that comes with it, including adaptive headlights and the Elements Package Plus. It suits you best if performance and added comfort features matter more than keeping costs down.
• Black Label: This trim layers on the Convenience and Luxury packages as standard, including a head-up display, wireless device charging, and the 28-speaker Revel Ultima sound system. It is the right pick if you want the most upscale non-hybrid Aviator.
• Black Label Grand Touring: This is the top-end choice if you want the plug-in hybrid powertrain plus nearly every available feature. It is for you if you want the most complete Aviator experience and are willing to pay for it.

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.

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 stay patient.

• Deal availability: 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,168 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.79% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,322, 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 $29,322 sits slightly below last year's $34,409.

That price movement suggests the Aviator has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy at the right price now and keep the vehicle in strong condition, you may have a better chance of limiting your loss later. The current trend also means buyers are getting more SUV for the money than they were a year ago.

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 2021 Lincoln Aviator earns a Top Safety Pick accolade from the IIHS and top marks in evaluation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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 important caveat is that advanced safety features are not standard across the lineup, so you should confirm exactly what a used example includes before you buy.

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:

• 33.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.79% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model keeps Lincoln’s luxury focus while adding strong performance and a premium cabin.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $26,964, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $29,322 average.
• It emphasizes comfort and luxury with a stylish design and multiple powertrain options.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-market value story and a well-rounded luxury SUV, the 2021 is the better primary choice. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 is the more budget-friendly path.

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 want a more premium cabin and a smoother ride. The Explorer makes more sense if you care more about third-row space and sharper handling. Both have the same basic limitation on advanced safety equipment, so you should compare specific trims carefully.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.