How much does the 2021 Lexus IS cost?

Prices are up 1.44% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 528 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $33,147.19, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Lexus IS earns a 4.62/5 user rating, and its expert rating is 7.33/10. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise the stylish design, sporty feel, and luxurious character. They also highlight the handling and value for money, while noting that the car’s safety features are a strong part of its appeal.

The trade-offs are familiar: some owners point to missing modern tech features, and fuel efficiency with the smaller engine option draws criticism. That lines up with the car’s mission as a driver-focused compact luxury sedan rather than a pure comfort-first commuter.

For you, that means the IS makes the most sense if you want a premium small sedan with personality and don’t mind giving up some convenience-tech polish. The market shows 33.1% good or great deals, which suggests there are still worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS reliable?

Owners rate it 4.62/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a car that feels dependable, with buyers repeatedly emphasizing the kind of ownership experience you can count on over time. Lexus also leans on its reputation for quality and reliability in the model’s positioning.

The expert evaluation reinforces that impression by describing the brand’s quality-and-reliability reputation and noting that the IS comes well equipped without pricing getting out of hand. Lexus also includes a 10-year complimentary service-connect subscription, which can help with maintenance awareness.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the car’s tech and powertrain behavior still suit your expectations after years of use.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Lexus IS?

At 74.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if you’re considering a car with a lower price or a sport package. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the car’s technology and drivability still feel current to you.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The lineup includes the IS 300 RWD, IS 300 AWD, IS 350 RWD F Sport, and IS 350 AWD F Sport. The base setup is more restrained, while the F Sport versions add a more aggressive look and sportier positioning.
• Powertrain: The IS 300 RWD uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft, while IS 350 models use the same V6 tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft. RWD models use an eight-speed automatic, and AWD models use a six-speed automatic.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard and includes pre-collision with pedestrian detection, low-light pedestrian detection, daytime bicyclist detection, left-turn intersection support, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, enhanced lane-tracing assist, full-speed dynamic adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. It also adds blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera with dynamic gridlines, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect.
• Infotainment: The IS finally gets a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus Enform Remote, Service Connect, and WiFi are part of the connected-services mix, and the Navigation Package adds Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for the first three years.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined for the IS 300 RWD; 19/26/22 for the IS 300 AWD; 20/28/23 for the IS 350 RWD; and 19/26/22 for the IS 350 AWD.

Which 2021 Lexus IS trim should I buy?

The 2021 Lexus IS is offered in 4 trim levels: IS 300 RWD, IS 300 AWD, IS 350 RWD F Sport, IS 350 AWD F Sport.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The IS 300 RWD gives you the lowest entry price, but it also comes with the underwhelming base engine trade-off noted in the model’s broader evaluation.
• Sweet-spot trim: The IS 300 AWD is the better all-weather choice if you want the V6 without stepping all the way up to the sportier F Sport pricing.
• Premium/top trim: The IS 350 AWD F Sport is the strongest pick if you want the most power and the most upscale sport-sedan feel from this lineup.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard across the lineup, so you’re not giving up the core driver-assistance suite by staying with a lower trim.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Lexus IS?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 528 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.44% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 74.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $33,147.19, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Lexus IS's resale value?

The current average of $35,304 sits slightly above last year's $34,801.

That kind of upward movement suggests the market still sees value in this model year, which can help support resale strength if you buy well and keep the car in good condition. A stable-to-rising price trend also gives you a better chance of limiting depreciation compared with a model that’s sliding quickly.

Because demand appears steady and the car has a clear enthusiast appeal, a clean example with strong equipment and good records should remain easier to sell later. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.62/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS safe?

It hasn’t yet been rated for crashworthiness by IIHS, and it has not received an overall rating from NHTSA.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard, and it includes pre-collision with pedestrian detection, low-light pedestrian detection, daytime bicyclist detection, left-turn intersection support, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, enhanced lane-tracing assist, full-speed dynamic adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. You also get blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera with dynamic gridlines, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with SOS emergency assistance, roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, and stolen vehicle notification.

The main caveat is that the model’s crash-test results were not yet published at the time of evaluation, so you should lean heavily on the standard safety suite and the car’s condition when shopping used.

Should I buy a 2021 Lexus IS 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:

• 33.1% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.44% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 brings a fourth-generation redesign with a sharper focus on sporty handling and updated tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $37,839, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $35,304 average.
• It adds the IS 500 F Sport Performance with a V8 and much stronger performance.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter starting point because it delivers the redesign, strong owner satisfaction, and a lower average price. If you’re a performance-first buyer and can stretch your budget, the 2022 is worth a look for its added power and enthusiast appeal.

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