How much does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus cost?

Prices have softened 14.38% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 1,087 listings available, you have a healthy amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $25,820.99, 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 — it 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. They also like the tech features, which makes it a strong fit for daily use. The main trade-offs are poor handling and sluggish touchscreen response, along with poor value for money.

That lines up with the Nautilus’s role as a comfort-first upscale SUV: you’re getting a relaxed, easygoing luxury experience rather than a sporty one. If you want refinement, a plush cabin, and straightforward tech, it fits that brief well. If you want sharper dynamics or a bargain-priced luxury SUV, it may not be the best match.

With 34.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still some attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a vehicle that feels luxurious, quiet, comfortable, and easy to live with over time. It also highlights the spacious interior and useful tech, which are the kinds of traits that usually support dependable day-to-day ownership. The expert evaluation also describes the Nautilus as a solid value with a long list of standard in-car and safety features.

The powertrain lineup is straightforward, and the SUV’s smooth, controlled driving character suggests a well-sorted ownership experience. 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 performance.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 82.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper records review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on the cabin electronics, touchscreen behavior, and overall condition of the interior and driver-assistance systems. Since this model is positioned as a comfort-oriented luxury SUV, you’ll want to make sure the premium features still work as intended.

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 fully digital instrument panel. It also gets the 13.2-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. 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, and a premium stereo. The Black Label adds 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, a 19-speaker premium stereo, smartphone-activated vehicle access, and adaptive headlights.
• Powertrain: The standard turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, while the twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 makes 355 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Both use an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder comes with front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive, while the V6 comes standard with all-wheel drive. The V6 delivers stronger around-town and highway performance, while the four-cylinder is the more efficient choice.
• 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 that bend with the road. The Black Label gets the most comprehensive driver-assistance list as part of CoPilot360 Plus.
• Infotainment: The standard 13.2-inch touchscreen is a major feature, and it supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system is described as easy to use, with high-definition graphics and a sensible menu layout. There is no proprietary controller or dual-screen setup, and the available wireless charging pad adds convenience.
• 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:

• Base trim: The Standard trim already gives you a lot, but it lacks the leather upholstery, navigation, hands-free liftgate, ventilated seats, heated rear seats, panoramic sunroof, and premium audio upgrades found higher up.
• Sweet-spot trim: The Reserve is the best balance if you want a more luxurious daily driver, since it adds genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless charging, and a premium stereo.
• Premium/top trim: The Black Label is the most upscale choice, with standard all-wheel drive, the twin-turbo V6, adaptive suspension, a 19-speaker premium stereo, smartphone-activated vehicle access, and adaptive headlights.
• Off-road trim: None of the trims are aimed at off-road use, so this is not the place to shop if you want a rugged daily driver.

The standard CoPilot360 safety package gives you a strong baseline, while CoPilot360 Plus on the Black Label brings the most complete driver-assistance setup.

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

This is a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,087 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.38% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 82.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $25,820.99, 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 $25,803 sits slightly below last year's $30,137.

That price movement suggests the Nautilus has become more buyer-friendly in the used market, which can make it easier for future sellers to attract interest if the vehicle is well kept. A lower current average also means you may not recover as much at resale as you would have when prices were higher. Even so, a well-maintained luxury SUV with strong appeal can still hold attention from shoppers who want comfort and premium features.

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 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 safety upgrades include 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 situations. That means you should pay close attention to camera clarity and parking visibility during your test drive, especially if you plan to rely on the vehicle in tight urban spaces.

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 82.8% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 14.38% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 brings a refreshed cabin with a large 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone integration, and a comfort-first luxury feel.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $31,044, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,803 average.
• It adds a more polished, gracefully aged luxury-crossover presentation.

The bottom line: If you want the better value today, the 2021 is the smarter starting point because prices have eased and the feature set is still strong. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model-year alternative, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2021’s stronger market position.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.