Used 2021 Lincoln Nautilus for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus cost?

Prices have softened 13.75% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,027 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of inventory to compare prices and equipment.

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 its luxurious feel, quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and spacious interior. The standard tech is also a recurring strength, and the cabin’s upscale presentation helps it feel premium without being difficult to live with.

The trade-offs are clear: poor handling and sluggish touchscreen response stand out in expert testing, and value for money is also a weak point.

For you, that means the Nautilus makes the most sense if you want a comfort-first luxury SUV rather than a sharp-handling one. It also looks appealing in a market where 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Lincoln Nautilus reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a dependable-feeling SUV with a quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and a strong reputation for daily use. That kind of praise usually matters most when you want a used luxury crossover you can count on for routine driving.

The expert drive notes reinforce that impression by describing the Nautilus as pleasant in nearly all driving scenarios and smooth in power delivery. The standard maintenance and ownership experience also looks straightforward for a luxury SUV with this level of equipment.

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 comfort and tech advantages.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 81% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still check the history report carefully, because a clean listing percentage does not replace a proper vehicle-by-vehicle review. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on electronics, cabin controls, and any signs of wear in the luxury features you’ll use every day.

Pay close attention to whether the trim level matches the equipment you expect, since the Nautilus can vary a lot in comfort and convenience content. It’s also worth testing the infotainment and driver-assistance systems yourself, because those are central to the ownership experience here.

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 fully 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 premium stereo, and ambient cabin lighting. The Black Label adds 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, a premium stereo, smartphone-activated vehicle access, adaptive headlights, and the most comprehensive driver-assistance content.

• 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 available AWD, while the V6 comes standard with AWD. The V6 is the stronger choice if you want smoother passing power and more relaxed highway performance.

• 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. Additional features such as adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights are available, and the Black Label gets the most comprehensive driver-assistance list as part of CoPilot360 Plus.

• Infotainment: The Nautilus uses a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also has a helpful home button, high-definition graphics, and wireless charging availability. The system is easy to use, but you should still test response speed and menu flow before you buy.

• 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. In mixed driving, the test vehicle averaged 22.4 mpg.

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 large 13.2-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, heated front seats, and a strong list of standard comfort and safety features. If you want the core luxury feel at the lowest entry price, this is the trim to start with.

• Reserve: This is the trim to target if you want the best balance 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. It also opens the door to the upgraded engine and more driver-assistance content, which makes it the most well-rounded pick for many shoppers.

• Black Label: This is the top-end choice if you want the most upscale version of the Nautilus. It comes standard with the twin-turbo V6 and AWD, plus 21-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, adaptive headlights, smartphone-activated vehicle access, and the most comprehensive driver-assistance package. It’s the right fit if you want maximum content and are willing to pay for it.

The safety package is standard on every trim, but the most advanced driver-assistance content is reserved for higher trims and packages.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, with enough inventory and pricing softness to make shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,027 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.75% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 81.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $25,350, 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 $25,351 sits slightly below last year's $29,394.

That drop suggests the market has already adjusted downward, which can help you as a buyer but may limit upside if you plan to sell soon. If you buy at the right price, you reduce the chance of taking a steep depreciation hit in the near term.

For a future seller, the key is to preserve condition and equipment appeal, because luxury SUVs tend to reward clean presentation and strong feature content. A well-kept Nautilus with desirable options should be easier to move than one with visible wear or missing 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 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. Additional features such as adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, surround-view parking monitor, and adaptive headlights are available, and the Black Label gets the most comprehensive driver-assistance content.

One caveat is the standard backup camera, which is described as low-quality and harder to use in low-light situations. That’s worth checking during your test drive, especially if you expect to rely on it 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:

• 32.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 81% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 13.75% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It delivers a quiet, comfortable, upscale driving experience with easy-to-use standard tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $29,825, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $25,351 average.
• It adds a more polished, aging-gracefully update to the same basic formula.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because pricing has softened and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model-year feel, the 2022 is the cleaner alternative, but price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2021 and shop carefully for a well-equipped trim.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.