Used 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus cost?

Prices have softened 14.47% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,033 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.2/10 expert rating. The model scores 9/10 across Look and feel and Technology.

Owners consistently praise its luxurious feel, quiet cabin, and comfortable ride, and they also highlight the spacious interior and useful tech features. The overview points to the same strengths: elegant styling, plush interior materials, and a relaxed, approachable luxury feel that works well as a daily driver.

The trade-offs are clear too: poor handling and sluggish touchscreen response. It also comes up as poor value for money, so you should expect comfort and ambiance to matter more here than sharp dynamics or bargain pricing.

With 37.3% of listings priced as good or great deals, the market 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 feedback points to a reliable, trouble-free ownership experience, with drivers emphasizing the quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and confidence they have in the vehicle over time. The expert drive notes also describe it as pleasant in nearly all driving scenarios, which reinforces the sense that it is built for easy day-to-day use rather than drama.

The 2.0-liter engine’s fuel-saving stop-start system is part of the ownership equation, and the overall package is positioned as a solid value with a long list of standard features. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright dependability and more about whether the vehicle has been maintained well enough to preserve its upscale feel and smooth operation.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully, because a clean title percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on cabin electronics, seat functions, and the condition of the touchscreen interface. It is also smart to confirm that the vehicle’s comfort features and driver-assistance systems work as intended, since those are central to the Nautilus experience.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The Standard trim includes 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. 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 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.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. An available twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 makes 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder can be paired with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, while the V6 comes standard with all-wheel drive. The four-cylinder is the most efficient configuration at 21 mpg city, 26 highway, 23 combined with FWD, while the AWD version returns 20 mpg city, 25 highway, 22 combined. The V6 returns 19 mpg city, 25 highway, 21 combined.
• 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 additions 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 feature set as part of CoPilot360 Plus.
• Infotainment: The Nautilus uses a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen with high-definition graphics and a simple menu layout. It supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it has no proprietary controller. Available wireless charging makes phone integration easier, and the available premium audio system is a strong feature to check.
• 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 V6 with AWD 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 Nautilus experience without stretching the budget. It already brings the 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a digital instrument panel, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, and a strong list of standard convenience and safety features.
• Reserve: This is the trim to target if you want the most balanced upgrade. 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 comfort and luxury.
• 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 CoPilot360 Plus on the Black Label brings the fullest 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 patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,033 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.47% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 79.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $24,755, 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 $24,761 sits slightly below last year's $28,949.

That decline suggests the Nautilus has become more affordable for used buyers, but it also means sellers may need to price competitively to stand out. If you buy well now, you may have less downside risk than someone who paid closer to last year’s higher average. The current market also suggests that well-kept examples with desirable equipment should remain easier to move than rougher 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?

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 important caveat is the low-quality standard backup camera, which can make low-light visibility harder than you’d expect. If safety tech matters to you, it is worth checking whether the vehicle you are 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:

• 37.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 79.7% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.47% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 emphasizes easy-to-use tech and a more traditional luxury feel.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $29,260, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $24,761 average.
• It adds a more polished, upscale feel with continued improvement.

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 comfortable luxury focus. If you are willing to spend more for a newer model-year experience, the 2022 is the secondary path.

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, a lower average used price, and more listings, so it may suit you better if value and selection matter more than luxury ambiance.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.