Used 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus cost?

Prices have softened 13.54% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,055 listings available, which suggests you have a reasonable 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 8.17/10 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 overview also points to an approachable, upscale character with plenty of standard technology that is easy to use.

The main trade-offs are poor handling and sluggish touchscreen response, along with poor value for money. Even so, the Nautilus makes the most sense if you want a comfortable, refined daily driver rather than a sporty luxury SUV.

With 34.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is enough market activity to support selective shopping.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

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

The owner summary emphasizes a luxurious feel, a quiet cabin, and a comfortable ride, while also highlighting the spacious interior and tech features that make it a strong daily vehicle. That combination points to a model that owners feel good about living with over time.

The expert evaluation also describes the Nautilus as pleasant to drive in nearly all scenarios, with smooth and controlled acceleration. The cost-effectiveness commentary adds that it brings a long list of standard in-car and safety features, which supports confidence in everyday ownership.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the vehicle has been maintained well enough to preserve its premium feel and electronics.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the vehicle history report carefully and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially on electronics, interior condition, and any signs of heavy wear. A test drive should confirm that the cabin tech works smoothly and that the vehicle feels as refined as it should.

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, 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 AWD, 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, a 19-speaker premium stereo, smartphone-activated vehicle access, and adaptive headlights.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The available twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 makes 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both engines use an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the four-cylinder is available 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 features include adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, a surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights that bend with the road.
• Infotainment: The Nautilus uses a 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel. Wireless charging is available, and the system is designed for easy menu navigation.
• Fuel efficiency: The 2.0-liter engine with FWD returns 21 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. With AWD, it returns 20 mpg city, 25 highway, and 22 combined. The 2.7-liter V6 with AWD 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 Nautilus experience without stretching the budget. You still get the 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, heated front seats, and the standard CoPilot360 safety package.
• Reserve: This is the trim to target if you want the strongest balance of comfort and equipment. It adds genuine leather, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and the Revel 13-speaker audio system.
• Black Label: Choose this if you want the most luxurious and most powerful version. It brings the twin-turbo V6, standard AWD, adaptive suspension, 21-inch wheels, a 19-speaker premium stereo, and the most comprehensive driver-assistance content.

The standard CoPilot360 package is the key safety baseline, while additional driver-assistance features are available on 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 value.

• Deal availability: 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,055 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.54% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.1% 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 $25,380 sits slightly below last year's $29,355.

That decline suggests the market has moved in buyers’ favor, which can make this a smarter purchase now than it was a year ago. For a future seller, the softer pricing means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment level.

Well-kept examples with desirable features should hold up better than neglected ones, especially if they present as clean, comfortable, and well equipped. 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 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 include adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, a surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights that bend with the road.

One notable drawback is the low-quality standard backup camera, which can make low-light visibility harder than it should be. That is worth checking during your test drive, especially if you plan to rely on the camera often.

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:

• 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81.1% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.54% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 brings a refreshed cabin with a 13.2-inch touchscreen and easy-to-use standard tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $29,754, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,380 average.
• It adds a more upscale mid-century modern interior.

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 are willing to pay more for a newer model-year feel and a slightly more polished interior presentation, the 2022 is the secondary path to consider.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.