Used 2021 Lexus NX for Sale nearKnoxville, TN

How much does the 2021 Lexus NX cost?

Prices have softened 1.83% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

With 990 listings available, you have a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

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, comfortable interior, and safety features, and they also point to its dependable, trouble-free ownership experience over the long term. The expert review also highlights its good looks and quiet cabin, which fit the NX’s role as a comfortable luxury compact SUV. On the trade-off side, the cabin materials can feel cheap, handling is poor, and the back seat is cramped. If you want a stylish, calm, and comfortable premium SUV more than maximum space or sharp dynamics, this model year fits that use case well. With 37.7% of listings marked as good or great deals, there are still attractive opportunities in the market.

Is the 2021 Lexus NX reliable?

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

User feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with owners especially noting that they can count on the NX for everyday use. The expert review also describes the NX as a traditional Lexus with a historically strong reliability reputation, which reinforces its long-term appeal. Lexus includes a four-year/50,000-mile limited warranty and a six-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty, which helps reduce early ownership risk. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical fragility and more about choosing a well-kept example with the right maintenance history.

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

At 70.7% 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. A pre-purchase inspection is worth prioritizing, especially if you’re considering a higher-mileage example or one with a less complete service record. Focus on overall condition, cabin wear, and evidence that the electronics and driver-assistance features are working as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The NX 300 comes in base and Luxury trim levels, while the NX 300 F Sport adds a sportier look with a honeycomb grille, triple-beam LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, and quilted NuLuxe sport seats. The base trim gets 17-inch wheels and power-folding outside mirrors, so you should compare equipment carefully if you want the best value.
• Powertrain: The NX 300 and NX 300 F Sport use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 235 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. 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 as well, while park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights are optional extras.
• Infotainment: A standard 8-inch touchscreen is included, 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 and Lexus Enform Destination Assist.
• Fuel efficiency: The NX 300 FWD returns 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while AWD versions keep the same city and highway figures but lower 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’s core strengths — stylish design, a comfortable cabin, and standard safety and tech — without paying for extra appearance or luxury upgrades.
• NX 300 F Sport: Choose this if you want the sportier exterior treatment, exclusive quilted NuLuxe sport seats, and the added visual flair of the F Sport package. It suits you best if style matters more than outright practicality.
• NX 300 Luxury: Pick this if you want the most upscale version of the NX and are willing to pay more for it. It’s the trim to consider if you want the most premium-feeling experience in this lineup.

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 is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop carefully without feeling rushed.

• Deal availability: 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 990 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.83% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 70.7% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,451, 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 $28,044 sits slightly below last year's $28,566.

That softer pricing suggests the NX is still accessible on the used market, which can help future resale by keeping it attractive to value-focused shoppers. At the same time, the year-over-year decline means sellers may not see the same pricing strength they did a year ago. If you buy well and keep the vehicle in strong condition, the NX’s premium-brand appeal should still support demand when it’s time to sell. 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 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 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 extras. The main caveat is that some advanced safety features are not standard, so you’ll want to confirm equipment on any used listing you’re considering.

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:

• 37.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 70.7% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.83% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• One year ahead of its redesign, the NX still delivers the good looks, high-quality interior, and agile driving dynamics that define the model.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $34,732, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $28,044 average.
• The redesign brings bolder styling, more advanced technology, and a more modern feel.

The bottom line: If you want the lower price and proven appeal of the 2021 NX, it makes sense as the primary buy. If you’re willing to spend more for a redesigned and more modern SUV, the 2022 is the better upgrade path. Price-sensitive buyers should focus on the 2021, while shoppers prioritizing newer tech and styling should look ahead.

How does the 2021 Lexus NX compare to the 2021 Toyota RAV4?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Lexus NX:

• Pros: Stylish design, Comfortable, Quiet cabin.
• Cons: Interior materials feel cheap, Poor handling, Cramped back seat.

2021 Toyota RAV4:

• Pros: Quiet cabin, Plenty of cargo space, Great safety ratings.
• Cons: Fairly pedestrian performance, Sluggish touchscreen response.

Our experts score the 2021 Lexus NX 7/10 and the 2021 Toyota RAV4 7.3/10. The NX feels more upscale and stylish, while the RAV4 is the more practical choice with more cargo space. If you care most about comfort and a premium cabin, the Lexus has the edge; if you want stronger everyday utility and a slightly better expert score, the Toyota is the safer bet. The NX’s cramped back seat and poor handling are worth weighing against the RAV4’s more pedestrian performance and slower touchscreen response.

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

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 10, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.