Used 2021 Lexus NX for Sale nearKnoxville, TN

How much does the 2021 Lexus NX cost?

Prices have softened 1.62% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 965 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

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 interior. The expert review also points to a quiet cabin and good looks as recurring strengths.

The trade-offs are clear: interior materials can feel cheap, handling is poor, and the back seat is cramped. In practical terms, this fits you best if you want a premium-feeling compact SUV for everyday commuting and don’t need class-leading rear-seat space or sharp driving dynamics.

Only 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals, so the better examples may move quickly.

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 earn repeat praise for its comfort, safety, and overall ownership experience. The expert review also reinforces that long-term appeal by describing the NX as a traditional Lexus with a strong reputation for reliability.

Lexus also includes a maintenance-related service alert system, which can help you stay ahead of scheduled upkeep. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about finding a well-kept example with complete service history.

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 then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the listing price looks unusually attractive. Focus on signs of prior bodywork, interior wear, and any evidence that the cabin electronics or driver-assistance features have been neglected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The NX 300 comes in base and Luxury trims, while the NX 300 F Sport adds a sportier appearance with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and quilted NuLuxe sport seats. The base trim is the one most likely to feel light on visual flair and premium touches.
• Powertrain: The NX 300 and NX 300 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.
• 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.
• Infotainment: An 8-inch touchscreen is standard, while 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 and Lexus Enform Destination Assist.
• Fuel efficiency: The FWD model is EPA-estimated at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined. AWD drops combined efficiency to 24 mpg.

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 best-value choice if you want the NX experience at the lowest entry price. You still get the core Lexus strengths here: a comfortable ride, quiet cabin, standard safety tech, and the same turbocharged powertrain as the other gas trims.
• NX 300 F Sport: Choose this if you want the sportiest look and the most distinctive cabin presentation. It adds the honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, larger wheels, and quilted NuLuxe sport seats, but the driving character still leans more toward comfort than true performance.
• NX 300 Luxury: This is the trim to consider if you want the most upscale feel and are willing to pay more for it. It suits you best if cabin refinement matters more than value.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is standard across the lineup, and blind-spot monitoring plus rear cross-traffic alert are standard as well.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective-buyer market, so you can shop carefully without assuming every listing is a bargain.

• Deal availability: 34.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 965 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.62% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,460, 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 $28,585 sits slightly below last year's $29,055.

That tells you the market has softened, which can help you as a buyer today but may limit upside if you plan to sell soon. For a future seller, the good news is that the decline is modest rather than steep, so the NX is not showing signs of a major value drop.

Its strong brand reputation and solid owner satisfaction should help support demand over time. Well-kept examples with clean history and desirable equipment should remain easier to move than neglected ones.

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 NX earns top "Good" scores in all IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

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

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.

Park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights are optional extras. The main caveat is that some of the more advanced convenience and visibility aids are not standard.

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:

• 34.9% 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 1.62% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It still offers the familiar Lexus strengths of a quiet cabin, comfortable ride, and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,492, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $28,585 average.
• The redesign brings a more modern cabin, stronger tech, and a bolder overall identity.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it delivers the core NX experience at a lower price. If you care more about newer design and technology than upfront cost, the 2022 is the better path.

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