Used 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus cost?

Prices have softened 14.31% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,115 listings available, you have a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $25,574.57, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.17/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise the luxurious feel, quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and spacious interior. The tech features also come up often as a strength, especially for daily use.

The main trade-offs are poor handling and sluggish touchscreen response, with value for money also called out as a weakness. That makes the Nautilus a better fit if you want comfort and refinement more than sharp driving dynamics or bargain pricing.

Its relaxed, upscale character lines up well with buyers who want a traditional luxury SUV that is easy to live with. With 34.1% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free feel, with repeated praise for the quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and overall daily usability. That kind of consistency matters if you want a used SUV you can count on over time.

The expert review also reinforces that impression by describing the Nautilus as pleasant in nearly all driving scenarios and easy to live with. If you are buying used, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about making sure the vehicle has been maintained well and still feels tight, quiet, and responsive.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean title alone does not tell you how the vehicle was maintained or repaired. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the cabin electronics, touchscreen response, and backup camera quality, since those are the kinds of features you will use every day. It is also worth paying close attention to ride quality and steering feel, because condition can affect how refined the SUV feels on the road.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Standard trim already brings a strong equipment list, including LED lighting, a power liftgate, heated front seats, a digital instrument panel, and the 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Reserve adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and a premium stereo, while Black Label adds the most upscale hardware and the most comprehensive driver-assistance setup.
• Powertrain: The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive available. A twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 makes 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, and it comes standard with all-wheel drive on Black Label.
• Safety package: Standard CoPilot360 includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional driver-assistance features are available on higher trims, and the base setup does not include every advanced aid.
• Infotainment: The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen is paired with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the system is designed to be easy to use. Wireless device charging is available, and the interface is built around a simple menu layout.
• 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 choice if you want the core Nautilus experience without stretching your budget. You still get the large 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, heated front seats, a digital gauge cluster, and a strong list of standard convenience and safety features.
• Reserve: This is the trim to target if you want the most balanced mix of luxury and equipment. It adds leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and a premium audio system, making it the sweet spot for many shoppers.
• Black Label: This is the choice if you want the most upscale version and do not mind paying for it. It adds the standard twin-turbo V6, standard all-wheel drive, larger wheels, adaptive suspension, adaptive headlights, and the most comprehensive driver-assistance package.

The safety package is standard on every trim, but the most advanced driver-assistance features are reserved for higher trims.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer's market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,115 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.31% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $25,574.57, 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 $25,562 sits slightly below last year's $29,829.

That kind of price movement suggests the Nautilus has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can be good news if you are buying now and less ideal if you are planning to sell soon. For a future seller, the key question is whether the vehicle can hold buyer interest through its comfort, equipment, and premium feel.

Because the model is still attracting shoppers who want a quiet, well-equipped luxury SUV, a clean example with strong features should remain easier to move than a neglected one. 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?

It earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The Nautilus comes with standard CoPilot360, which includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher trims can add adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, a surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights that bend with the road.

One caveat is the standard backup camera, which is described as low-quality even though the display itself is crisp. That means you should not assume every safety-related feature feels equally polished in day-to-day use.

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:

• 34.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.31% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It brings a refreshed cabin with a large, easy-to-use touchscreen and a relaxed luxury focus.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $30,623, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,562 average.
• It adds a more polished, gracefully aging luxury feel.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter starting point because it combines a lower average price with strong owner satisfaction and a well-equipped cabin. If you are willing to spend more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.