Used 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus cost?

Prices have softened 12.94% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,014 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus a good car?

Yes — with a 5/5 user rating and an 8.2/10 expert rating, the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus lands strongly for shoppers who want a luxury SUV that feels calm and easy to live with. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise its luxurious feel, quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and spacious interior. They also like the tech features and the way it works well as a daily vehicle.

The trade-offs are clear: poor handling and sluggish touchscreen response, along with poor value for money. If you want a comfortable upscale crossover rather than a sporty one, the Nautilus fits that brief well.

With 38.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still worthwhile opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

Owners rate it 5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free feel, with praise for the quiet cabin and comfortable daily use.

The expert review reinforces that impression by describing the Nautilus as pleasant in nearly all driving scenarios and noting its long list of standard in-car and safety features. It also highlights the model’s solid value proposition for buyers who want a comfortable Lincoln crossover.

The first scheduled maintenance visit is on the house, which helps soften early ownership costs.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about durability and more about living with the model’s weaker handling and interface quirks over time.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully and prioritize a thorough inspection, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example. Focus on cabin condition, touchscreen behavior, and whether the vehicle’s comfort features work as expected. A clean record matters here because the Nautilus is a luxury SUV where wear and equipment condition can affect how premium it feels.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Standard trim comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a power rear liftgate, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, synthetic leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, remote start, remote keyless entry, four USB ports, satellite radio, and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel. The Standard I sub-trim adds genuine leather upholstery and onboard navigation. The Reserve adds a hands-free power liftgate, genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless device charging, a Revel 13-speaker premium stereo system, and ambient cabin lighting. The Black Label adds a standard twin-turbo V6, standard all-wheel drive, 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, a 19-speaker premium stereo, smartphone-activated vehicle access, adaptive headlights, and the most comprehensive driver-assistance list. The Standard trim is the best-value pick if you want the strongest equipment mix for the money.
• Powertrain: The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque and routes power through an eight-speed automatic transmission. A twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 makes 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, and it comes standard on the Black Label. The four-cylinder is available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the V6 comes standard with all-wheel drive.
• Safety package: The standard CoPilot360 package includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Available upgrades include adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights that bend with the road. The Black Label gets the most comprehensive driver-assistance list.
• Infotainment: The Nautilus uses a 13.2-inch touchscreen with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the available wireless charging pad makes phone integration easier.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine with front-wheel drive returns 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. With all-wheel drive, it returns 20 mpg city, 25 highway, and 22 combined. The 2.7-liter engine with all-wheel drive returns 19 mpg city, 25 highway, and 21 combined.

Which 2021 Lincoln Nautilus trim should I buy?

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus is offered in 3 trim levels: Standard, Reserve, and Black Label.

Here's the short version:

• Standard: This is the best-value trim if you want the core Nautilus experience without stretching the budget. You get the 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and a strong standard safety and convenience list.
• Reserve: This trim adds a more upscale feel with genuine leather, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, ambient lighting, and a premium audio system. It’s the right choice if you want a more luxurious cabin without jumping all the way to the top model.
• Black Label: This is the most fully equipped Nautilus, with the twin-turbo V6, standard all-wheel drive, adaptive suspension, 21-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, and the most comprehensive driver-assistance package. It suits you best if you want maximum content and don’t mind paying for it.

The Black Label includes the most comprehensive driver-assistance features, while the Standard trim already brings a strong safety package.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing softness to reward patience.

• Deal availability: 38.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,014 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.94% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.3% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $25,247, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus's resale value?

The current average of $25,247 sits slightly below last year's $29,000.

That decline suggests the market has moved in buyers’ favor, which can make the Nautilus easier to purchase now but may also limit near-term upside for a future seller. If you buy at the current average, your resale position will depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment level. Well-kept examples with desirable features should hold attention better than worn or lightly equipped ones.

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

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus safe?

The 2021 Lincoln Nautilus earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The Nautilus comes with a comprehensive list of driver-assistance features as part of the standard CoPilot360 package. This includes standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.

There are also available additional driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights that bend with the road. The standard backup camera is a weak point, especially in low light.

Should I buy a 2021 Lincoln Nautilus 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:

• 38.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.3% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 12.94% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 brings a refreshed cabin with a large 13.2-inch touchscreen and easy-to-use standard tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $29,542, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,247 average.
• It adds a more polished, gracefully aged feel with a plush Black Label presentation.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and a well-equipped standard feature set. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year feel and a slightly more refined presentation, the 2022 is the secondary path to consider.

How does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus compare to the 2021 Ford Edge?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Lincoln Nautilus:

• Pros: Stylish design, Premium interior materials, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Poor handling, Sluggish touchscreen response, Poor value for money.

2021 Ford Edge:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Comfortable, Spacious.
• Cons: Poor handling, Outdated technology, Poor value for money.

Our experts score the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus 8.2/10 and the 2021 Ford Edge 7.2/10. The Nautilus is the better pick if you care most about upscale design, richer materials, and stronger technology. The Edge counters with more powertrain variety and a lower average used price, but it gives up ground on interior polish and tech appeal.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.