Used 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus cost?

Prices have softened 13.98% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,095 listings available, which suggests you have room to compare options before you buy.

If you find a listing below $25,761.32, 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, which points to broad appeal for comfort-focused shoppers.

The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise the luxurious feel, quiet cabin, and comfortable ride, and they also like the spacious interior and easy-to-live-with tech. That lines up with the overview’s focus on a relaxed, upscale SUV that works well for daily use.

The trade-offs are clear too: the expert review calls out poor handling and sluggish touchscreen response, and the overview also notes poor value for money. If you want a calm, refined SUV rather than a sporty one, those compromises may be easy to accept.

With 31.2% of listings marked as good or great deals, the market still gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

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

The owner summary points to a reliable, comfortable, and trouble-free ownership experience, with praise for the quiet cabin and daily usability. That kind of feedback usually matters most when you’re shopping used, because it suggests the vehicle has earned trust over time rather than just impressing on a test drive.

The expert review also describes the Nautilus as a pleasant, easy-to-live-with SUV, which reinforces the sense that it is built for steady everyday use. The standard maintenance and ownership experience is framed as part of a polished luxury package, not a high-drama one.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright complexity and more about finding a well-kept example with consistent service history.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper history review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on cabin condition, electronics, and how smoothly the vehicle drives in everyday use. Pay close attention to the touchscreen, seat controls, and any signs that the luxury features have been heavily used or poorly maintained.

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 digital instrument panel. It also gets the 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Reserve adds genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless device charging, and a premium stereo. The Black Label adds a standard twin-turbo V6, standard AWD, 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, a 19-speaker premium stereo, smartphone-activated vehicle access, adaptive headlights, and the most comprehensive driver-assistance list.

• Powertrain: The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the available twin-turbo 2.7-liter V6 makes 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder can be paired with FWD or AWD, while the V6 comes standard with AWD.

• 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. Some of the more advanced driver-assistance features are trim-dependent.

• Infotainment: The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen is large, crisp, and easy to use. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the layout is designed to be straightforward. The available wireless charging pad adds convenience, and higher trims can bring a premium audio upgrade.

• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine with FWD returns 21 mpg city, 26 highway, 23 combined. With AWD, it returns 20 mpg city, 25 highway, 22 combined. The 2.7-liter AWD setup returns 19 mpg city, 25 highway, 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 instrument panel, and a strong list of standard comfort and safety features.

• Reserve: This is the trim to target if you want the best balance of luxury and equipment. It adds genuine leather, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and a premium stereo, making it the sweet spot for many shoppers.

• Black Label: This is the most upscale version, with the standard twin-turbo V6, standard AWD, adaptive suspension, larger wheels, and the most complete driver-assistance package. It makes sense if you want the most luxurious and fully equipped Nautilus and are willing to pay for it.

The standard CoPilot360 safety package is comprehensive, but some advanced driver-assistance features remain reserved for higher trims.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory to compare options and enough deal activity to reward patience.

• Deal availability: 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,095 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.98% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $25,761.32, 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 $25,769 sits slightly below last year's $29,958.

That drop suggests the Nautilus has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help you as a buyer today. If you plan to sell later, the current pricing gives you a lower entry point, but it also means future resale gains may depend more on condition, mileage, and trim choice than on broad market momentum.

Because the model is positioned as a comfort-first luxury SUV, well-kept examples with desirable equipment should remain easier to move than neglected ones. Strong feature content and broad appeal can help support demand when it’s time to sell.

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 standard CoPilot360 suite 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 add adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights that bend with the road.

One drawback is the standard backup camera, which is described as low-quality and harder to use in low-light situations. If safety tech matters to you, it’s worth checking whether the specific vehicle you’re considering has the available driver-assistance upgrades.

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:

• 31.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.2% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.98% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 brings a refreshed cabin, a large 13.2-inch touchscreen, and easy-to-use standard tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $30,897, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,769 average.
• It adds a more polished, gracefully aged update with the same comfort-first character.

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 plenty of standard equipment. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year feel and can find the right example, the 2022 is the secondary path to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.