Used 2021 Lexus IS for Sale nearSan Francisco, CA

How much does the 2021 Lexus IS cost?

Prices have softened 1.07% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 510 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Lexus IS earns a 4.6/5 user rating and a 7.3/10 expert rating. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel and Cost effectiveness.

Owners consistently praise the stylish design, sporty feel, luxurious atmosphere, handling, and value for money. The car’s enthusiast-focused personality also comes through in its strong handling and upscale presentation.

The trade-offs are the underwhelming base engine, irritating transmission, and outdated technology. That matters most if you want the most modern cabin experience or the smoothest everyday drivability.

For you, this is a strong fit if you want a compact luxury sports sedan that leans into style and driving enjoyment rather than pure practicality. The market also shows 36.7% of listings as good or great deals, which supports a selective-shopping approach.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS reliable?

Owners rate it 4.6/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback points to a reliable, dependable, and trouble-free ownership experience, with many owners expressing confidence in the car over the long term. The brand’s reputation for quality also comes through in the ownership comments.

The expert notes reinforce that impression by emphasizing Lexus’ reputation for quality and reliability, along with the car’s well-equipped nature. Lexus also includes a three-year trial of Safety Connect, which adds useful ownership support.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the specific car has been maintained well, especially if you plan to keep it for years.

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

At 69.4% 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 the car has had any prior damage or multiple owners. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the car’s technology and driver-assistance features are working as expected.

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 trims are more affordable, while the F Sport versions add a more aggressive setup and better equipment for buyers who want a sportier feel.
• Powertrain: The IS 300 RWD uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD uses a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 with 260 hp and 236 lb-ft, while the IS 350 models use the same V6 tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard and includes pre-collision system 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 includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera with dynamic gridlines, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect.
• Infotainment: The IS finally offers a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus also includes connected services, and the Navigation Package adds Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for the first three years.
• Fuel efficiency: The IS 300 RWD is rated at 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, while the IS 300 AWD is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. The IS 350 RWD is rated at 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, and the IS 350 AWD is rated at 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

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:

• IS 300 RWD: This is the least expensive way into the lineup and the best-value choice if you want the core IS experience without paying for extra power or AWD. It gives you the standard luxury and safety equipment while keeping the price closest to the model’s entry point.
• IS 300 AWD: Choose this if you want the added traction of AWD and the V6 powertrain, but do not need the sportiest setup. It suits you if you value all-weather confidence more than maximum performance.
• IS 350 RWD F Sport: This is the best pick if you want the strongest rear-wheel-drive performance and the sportiest character in the lineup. It adds the more powerful V6 and the F Sport treatment for buyers who care most about driving feel.
• IS 350 AWD F Sport: Pick this if you want the top powertrain with AWD and are willing to pay the most for the most complete version of the lineup. It is the right choice if you want maximum performance and traction in one package.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard across the lineup.

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 carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 36.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 510 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.07% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 69.4% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $33,089, 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 $33,881 sits slightly below last year's $34,247.

That modest decline suggests the market has softened a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may temper resale upside if you sell soon. If prices continue to drift lower, future sellers may need to price more aggressively to stay competitive.

The model’s strong owner satisfaction should help support demand over time. Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.6/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS safe?

The 2021 Lexus IS hasn’t yet been rated for crashworthiness by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), nor has it received an overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard and includes pre-collision system 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 includes 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 crash-test results are not yet available in the source data, so you should lean more heavily on the standard safety equipment and the condition of the specific vehicle you’re considering.

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:

• 36.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 69.4% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.07% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.6/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model introduces a new generation with a more focused, enthusiast-oriented personality.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $36,863, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $33,881 average.
• It adds a significant performance boost and the new IS 500 F Sport Performance.

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 a fresh redesign. If you care more about added performance and can spend more, the 2022 is the better path.

How does the 2021 Lexus IS compare to the 2021 BMW 3 Series?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Lexus IS:

• Pros: Stylish design, Multiple powertrain options, Great handling.
• Cons: Underwhelming base engine, Irritating transmission, Outdated technology.

2021 BMW 3 Series:

• Pros: Multiple body styles, Great handling, Impressive technology.
• Cons: Advanced safety features are not standard.

Our experts score the 2021 Lexus IS 7.3/10 and the 2021 BMW 3 Series 6.8/10. The Lexus stands out for style and handling, while the BMW counters with stronger technology and more body-style flexibility. The Lexus also has a more affordable average used price, but the BMW offers more listings and a stronger city/highway efficiency advantage in the specs below.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.