Used 2021 Lincoln Aviator for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Aviator cost?

Prices have softened 14.85% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,197 listings available, which suggests you have a meaningful 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 feature-rich cabin, which fits the Aviator’s upscale positioning.

The trade-offs are clear: the third row is cramped, and some owners mention road noise and the auto stop-start feature. That matters most if you want a quiet, premium three-row SUV for family duty rather than a sportier or more utilitarian setup.

With its spacious interior, premium materials, and strong performance, it suits you best if comfort and refinement matter more than a firmer ride. The market also looks reasonably open, with 35.7% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Aviator reliable?

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

Owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels dependable, comfortable, and trouble-free enough to earn repeat enthusiasm from shoppers who want a long-term luxury SUV. The expert evaluation also emphasizes that the Aviator’s powertrain delivers robust acceleration and that its driver-assistance features work seamlessly and are never over-intrusive.

If you’re buying used, the main long-term ownership risk is less about outright durability and more about making sure the vehicle’s premium features and complex equipment have been maintained properly.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the electronics, touchscreen behavior, and comfort features, since those are the kinds of systems that can affect ownership satisfaction in a luxury SUV. Focus on overall condition, because the Aviator’s appeal depends heavily on how well the cabin and equipment have held up.

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.
• 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 add a plug-in hybrid setup with 494 hp and 630 lb-ft of torque, plus up to 21 miles of electric range.
• Safety package: Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 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: The Aviator uses a standard 10.1-inch touchscreen with Sync 3, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a fully digital instrument panel, and available head-up display technology.
• Fuel efficiency: The RWD version 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 heated front seats, remote start, a power liftgate, and the standard 10.1-inch touchscreen. It makes sense if you want the Aviator’s core comfort and style without stretching for extras.
• Reserve: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds upgraded leather, four-zone climate control, second-row captain’s chairs, a panoramic sunroof, and the 12-speaker Revel premium stereo system. If you want the most balanced mix of luxury and equipment, start here.
• Grand Touring: This trim adds the plug-in hybrid powertrain, adaptive headlights, and the Elements Package Plus content that brings a heated steering wheel and heated and ventilated front seats. It suits you if you want more power and more comfort features.
• 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. It’s for shoppers who want the most upscale cabin experience.
• Black Label Grand Touring: This is the top-end choice, combining the plug-in hybrid setup with the Black Label equipment and a Dynamic Handling Package. It’s the most fully loaded version if you want maximum content.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,197 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.85% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,453, 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 $29,453 sits slightly below last year's $34,589.

That decline suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you’re thinking about future resale. If you buy at the right price now, you reduce the risk of taking a bigger depreciation hit later. For a future seller, the key will be keeping the vehicle in strong condition and documenting maintenance carefully.

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

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

Standard Lincoln Co-Pilot 360 brings 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 across the lineup, so you’ll want to confirm exactly which package a used example has 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:

• 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.85% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 Aviator combines strong performance with a premium cabin and standard Co-Pilot 360 safety equipment.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $27,157, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $29,453 average.
• It emphasizes comfort, luxury, and multiple powertrain options.

The bottom line: If you want the stronger current-market balance of price, inventory, and satisfaction, the 2021 is the better starting point. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2020 can still make sense as a lower-cost alternative.

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 more about ride quality and cabin materials. The Explorer has the edge if you want a roomier third row and a lower average used price. Both offer multiple powertrain options, but the Aviator feels more premium overall.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.