How much does the 2021 Lexus NX cost?

Prices have softened 2.95% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 852 listings available, which suggests you have a workable amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $27,460.14, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Lexus NX a good car?

Yes — it earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 7.0/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 8/10.

Owners consistently praise its stylish design, comfortable interior, and safety features. The review summary also points to a quiet cabin and a premium feel that help it stand out in daily use.

The trade-offs are real, though: the interior materials can feel cheap, the handling is poor, and the back seat is cramped. In practical terms, that means you should value comfort, style, and refinement more than sharp dynamics or generous rear-seat space.

With the NX positioned as a luxury compact SUV, it fits you best if you want an upscale commuter rather than a sporty family hauler. The market also shows 28.5% good or great deals, so there are still some attractive listings to chase.

Is the 2021 Lexus NX reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience, with buyers especially appreciating the NX’s safety features and comfortable cabin. That kind of response usually lines up with a vehicle you can count on over time.

The expert evaluation also reinforces that impression by describing the NX as a traditional Lexus with good fit and finish and a premium cabin character. On the ownership side, Lexus includes maintenance and service connectivity features that help you stay on top of factory-recommended upkeep.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability 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 74.1% 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. Then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection so you can check for signs of poor bodywork, uneven panel gaps, or wear that doesn’t match the mileage.

Pay close attention to cabin condition, since the NX’s interior quality and comfort are major reasons to buy it. You should also make sure the technology and driver-assistance features work as expected, because those systems are a big part of the NX’s value proposition.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The NX 300 has base and Luxury trim levels, 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 setup includes power-folding mirrors and 17-inch wheels, 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 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 across the lineup.
• 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 and Lexus Enform Destination Assist.
• Fuel efficiency: The FWD model is rated at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while AWD versions are rated at 22 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 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 best-value starting point if you want the NX’s core strengths without paying for appearance or luxury upgrades. You still get the standard safety suite, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and the NX’s comfortable, quiet character.
• NX 300 F Sport: Choose this if you want the sportiest look and the most distinctive cabin presentation. It adds the F Sport styling treatment, quilted NuLuxe sport seats, and available Circuit Red interior accents, but it does not turn the NX into a true performance SUV.
• NX 300 Luxury: This is the trim to target if you want the most upscale version of the NX and are willing to pay more for it. It makes the most sense if cabin refinement matters more to you than sporty styling.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 is standard across the lineup, so you do not need to move up a trim just to get the core driver-assistance package.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop patiently but should move quickly on strong listings.

• Deal availability: 28.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 852 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.95% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $27,460.14, 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 $28,745 sits slightly below last year's $29,617.

That softer pricing suggests the NX has already absorbed some depreciation, which can help future sellers if the market stabilizes. If you buy well now and keep the vehicle in good condition, you may be better positioned than someone who paid closer to the prior-year average.

The NX’s strong owner satisfaction also supports demand on the used market. Shoppers tend to respond well to vehicles with a reputation for comfort, style, and reliability, and that can help preserve resale appeal over time.

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 from IIHS 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 as well.

The main caveat is that some helpful features remain optional, including park assist, a surround-view camera system, and adaptive headlights. That means you should verify the exact equipment on any used listing rather than assuming every NX has the same safety content.

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:

• 28.5% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.95% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• One year ahead of its redesign, it keeps the features that made it popular while staying relatively affordable.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,741, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $28,745 average.
• The redesign brings a more attractive, more dynamic, and more technologically advanced SUV.

The bottom line: You should lean toward the 2021 if you want the NX’s core strengths at a lower price and can live with its older tech and less polished dynamics. If you want a more modern-feeling NX and are willing to pay more, the 2022 is the better long-term pick. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2021 remains the smarter value play.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 28, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.