Used 2021 Lexus NX for Sale nearChicago, IL

How much does the 2021 Lexus NX cost?

Prices have softened 1.14% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,020 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for shoppers comparing prices and trims.

Is the 2021 Lexus NX a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Lexus NX earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, safety features, and comfortable cabin. The expert review also points to good looks and a high-quality interior, which fits the NX’s role as a polished everyday luxury SUV. On the other hand, the NX’s interior materials can feel cheap in places, handling is a weak spot, and the back seat is cramped, so it works best if you value style and comfort more than rear-seat space or sharp dynamics.

With 39.5% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have a decent chance of finding a competitively priced example.

Is the 2021 Lexus NX reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner summary points to a vehicle that feels dependable and trouble-free enough to inspire confidence, with praise centered on its comfortable cabin and overall ownership experience. The expert review also reinforces that impression by describing the NX as a traditional Lexus with good fit and finish and a reputation that aligns with long-term ownership expectations. Lexus also includes a free three-year trial of remote app services and a 10-year subscription to maintenance alerts, which can make ownership feel more manageable.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright mechanical drama and more about whether the vehicle has been maintained well enough to preserve its premium feel.

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

At 73.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and confirm whether any prior damage was repaired properly. After that, prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that checks the cabin, electronics, and suspension feel, since the NX’s value depends heavily on condition and refinement. It also makes sense to focus on how the interior presents in person, because the model’s appeal is tied closely to its premium look and feel.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The NX 300 is offered in base and Luxury trim levels, while the NX F Sport adds a sportier appearance with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and quilted NuLuxe sport seats. The F Sport also gets a G-Force meter and available leather-and-wood trim, but the review notes that its driving character is still more comfortable cruiser than track-focused machine.
• Powertrain: The NX 300 and NX F Sport use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is available on every trim level.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is standard and includes a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard too, while park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights are optional.
• Infotainment: An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, and a 10.3-inch screen is available with the Navigation package. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the Navigation package also adds predictive traffic information, HomeLink, and Lexus Enform Destination Assist.
• Fuel efficiency: The front-wheel-drive model is rated at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. AWD drops combined fuel economy to 24 mpg, and the NX F Sport AWD is also rated at 24 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Lexus NX trim should I buy?

The 2021 Lexus NX is offered in 3 trim levels: NX 300, NX 300 F Sport, and NX 300 Luxury.

Here's the short version:

• NX 300: This is the starting point, and it gives you the core NX experience with the turbocharged engine, standard safety tech, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the premium cabin feel that defines the model. It makes the most sense if you want the NX’s style and comfort without paying for extras you may not need.
• NX 300 F Sport: This is the best fit if you want the sportiest look and the most distinctive cabin treatment, including the honeycomb grille, 18-inch wheels, and quilted NuLuxe sport seats. It adds visual flair, but the review makes clear that it still behaves more like a comfortable cruiser than a true performance SUV.
• NX 300 Luxury: This is the trim to consider if you want the most upscale presentation and are willing to pay more for it. It suits you best if cabin ambiance matters more than sporty styling.

Safety equipment is strong across the lineup, with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 standard on every trim and blind-spot monitoring plus rear cross-traffic alert included as well.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you compare listings carefully.

• Deal availability: 39.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,020 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.14% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,463, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Lexus NX's resale value?

The current average of $28,524 sits slightly below last year's $28,853.

That modest decline suggests the NX has softened a bit in the used market, which can help you buy at a more favorable entry point today. For a future seller, the current pricing trend implies you should expect steady but not rising values unless the vehicle is especially clean, well equipped, and well documented. The NX’s premium-brand appeal and broad shopper interest should still help support demand, especially for examples with strong condition and desirable equipment.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Lexus NX safe?

The 2021 Lexus NX earns Good ratings from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

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

Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is standard, and it includes a rearview camera, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, traffic-sign recognition, automatic high beams, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard too, which strengthens the NX’s everyday safety package. Park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights are optional.

Should I buy a 2021 Lexus NX 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:

• 39.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.14% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the familiar Lexus formula of good looks, a high-quality interior, and agile driving dynamics.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,268, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $28,524 average.
• The redesign brings a more attractive, more dynamic, and more technologically advanced cabin.

The 2021 is the better value if you want the classic NX formula at a lower price and can live with its older tech and tighter packaging. If you want a newer-feeling SUV and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is the stronger upgrade path. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2021 remains the smarter buy as long as you verify condition carefully.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.