Used 2021 Lexus IS for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Lexus IS cost?

Prices are up 1.69% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 540 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS a good car?

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

Owners consistently praise the stylish design, sporty feel, luxurious feel, handling, and value for money. The overview also points to a car aimed at enthusiast drivers and luxury shoppers who want something more engaging than a typical comfort-first sedan.

The main trade-offs are the underwhelming base engine, the irritating transmission, and outdated technology. That means you should like the IS most if you care more about character, design, and driving feel than the latest cabin tech.

With 31.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS reliable?

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

The owner summary also points to a car that feels dependable, with praise for its luxurious feel, handling, and value for money. Lexus’s reputation for quality and reliability is reinforced in the cost-effectiveness notes, which describe the brand’s quality and reliability as a major advantage.

The expert notes also support that impression by emphasizing the brand’s quality focus and the car’s well-rounded execution. For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about basic durability and more about living with the car’s dated tech and less polished powertrain behavior.

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

At 72.6% 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 comparing cars with similar prices. Focus on overall condition, signs of prior repair, and whether the car’s equipment and features still work as expected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The IS 300 RWD starts at $39,000, the IS 300 AWD starts at $41,000, the IS 350 RWD F Sport starts at $42,900, and the IS 350 AWD F Sport starts at $44,900. The base setup gives you the core luxury-sedan experience, while the F Sport versions add the more aggressive performance-oriented presentation and are the better fit if you want the sportiest look and 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 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, while the IS 350 models use the same V6 tuned to 311 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. 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 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 uses a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus Enform Safety Connect comes with a three-year trial, Lexus Enform Service Connect comes with a 10-year complimentary subscription, Lexus Enform WiFi includes a 4GB/three-month trial, and Lexus Enform Remote is free for three years.
• Fuel efficiency: The IS 300 RWD is rated at 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. The IS 300 AWD is rated at 19/26/22, the IS 350 RWD at 20/28/23, and the IS 350 AWD at 19/26/22.

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 IS’s style, handling, and core luxury feel without paying for extra power or AWD.
• IS 300 AWD: Choose this if you want the V6 powertrain and all-weather traction, and you’re willing to pay more for the added hardware.
• IS 350 RWD F Sport: This is the strongest pick for shoppers who want the most engaging rear-drive setup and the sportiest character in the lineup.
• IS 350 AWD F Sport: Pick this if you want the top-end powertrain with AWD and the full F Sport treatment.

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 patiently but still move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 540 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.69% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 72.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $33,092, 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 $34,700 sits slightly above last year's $34,122.

That kind of price movement suggests the market has held up reasonably well for this model year. If you buy now and keep the car in good condition, you’re starting from a price point that still reflects steady demand rather than a sharp drop.

For a future seller, that matters because a stable market can help soften depreciation. The IS’s strong owner satisfaction also supports buyer interest when it’s time to resell.

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?

The 2021 Lexus IS hasn’t yet been rated for crashworthiness by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or received an overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard, and it 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. 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 lacks formal crash-test results in the provided data, so you’re relying on the standard safety equipment rather than published ratings.

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:

• 31.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.69% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 model launches the fourth generation with sharper styling, improved driving character, and a touchscreen infotainment system.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $37,891, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $34,700 average.
• It adds a new 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 buy because it delivers the redesigned fourth-generation IS experience at a lower average price. If you’re willing to spend more for a bigger performance jump, the 2022 is the better path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 11, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.