Used 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for Sale nearColumbia, SC

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus cost?

Prices have softened 13.01% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,031 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

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 its luxurious feel, quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and spacious interior. The standard tech is also a recurring strength, and the cabin’s premium atmosphere comes through clearly in owner feedback.

On the downside, the expert review points to poor handling and sluggish touchscreen response, along with poor value for money. Even so, the Nautilus makes sense if you want an upscale daily driver that prioritizes comfort, quietness, and ease of use over sportiness.

The market also looks reasonably supportive, with 36.0% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

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

Owner feedback also points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with praise centered on the quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and overall satisfaction with the vehicle over time. The expert review reinforces that sense of easy ownership by describing the Nautilus as pleasant in nearly all driving scenarios.

The standard engine stop-start system can introduce a slight delay when you get back on the throttle, so used buyers should pay attention to how smoothly the powertrain responds during a test drive.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because accident-free status is only one part of the picture. Prioritize a thorough inspection of the cabin electronics, touchscreen response, and backup camera quality, since those are the kinds of features you’ll use every day. It also makes sense to confirm that the seats, shifter controls, and driver-assistance features all work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Standard trim already brings 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. The Standard I sub-trim adds genuine leather upholstery and onboard navigation, while the Reserve adds a hands-free power liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless device charging, ambient cabin lighting, and a premium stereo. The Black Label adds 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 engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. A twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 makes 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, and it is optional on the Reserve and standard on the Black Label. The four-cylinder can be paired with front-wheel drive or AWD, while the V6 comes standard with AWD. The four-cylinder is the most efficient setup.
• 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. Available upgrades include adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights. The Black Label gets the most comprehensive driver-assistance feature set as part of CoPilot360 Plus.
• Infotainment: The standard 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen is a major feature, and it supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is designed to be easy to use, with a simple menu layout and no steep learning curve. Available wireless charging adds convenience, and the premium audio system is a notable upgrade on higher trims.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine with front-wheel drive 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 Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument panel, heated front seats, and a strong list of standard comfort and safety features.
• Reserve: This is the trim to target if you want the most balanced mix of luxury and equipment. It adds genuine leather, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, ambient lighting, and a premium stereo, making it the sweet spot for many shoppers.
• Black Label: Choose this if you want the most upscale version and are willing to pay for it. It adds the twin-turbo V6, standard AWD, adaptive suspension, larger wheels, adaptive headlights, and the most comprehensive driver-assistance package.

The standard CoPilot360 package is the key safety baseline, while the Black Label gets the most comprehensive driver-assistance feature set.

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 listings.

• Deal availability: 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,031 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.01% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 80.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $25,337, 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 $25,523 sits slightly below last year's $29,340.

That decline suggests the Nautilus has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means a future seller may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy well now, you may have less downside risk than someone who purchased when prices were higher. The model’s strong comfort reputation and broad appeal should help support demand, especially for well-kept examples with desirable equipment.

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.

It comes with the standard CoPilot360 driver-assistance suite, 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. Available upgrades add adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, 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 and harder to use in low light. If safety tech matters to you, make sure the camera image and driver-assistance features work properly during your test drive.

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:

• 36.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 80.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.01% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It blends classic luxury comfort with easy-to-use standard tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $29,725, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,523 average.
• It adds a more polished, gracefully aged feel with a mid-century modern interior.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because prices are lower and the feature set is still strong. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year feel and can stretch your budget, the 2022 is the secondary path to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.