Used 2021 Lexus IS for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

How much does the 2021 Lexus IS cost?

Prices are up 1.71% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 529 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Lexus IS a good car?

Yes — the 4.62/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.33/10. The model scores 8/10 across Look and feel and Cost effectiveness.

Owners repeatedly praise the stylish design, sporty feel, luxurious feel, handling, and value for money. That lines up with the car’s role as a compact luxury sports sedan aimed at drivers who want something more engaging than a comfort-first commuter.

The trade-offs are clear: the base engine is described as underwhelming, the transmission as irritating, and the technology as outdated. If you want a sedan that emphasizes character, design, and driving feel over the latest interface polish, the IS fits that brief well.

With 34.0% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still 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 feedback also points to a car that feels reliable, dependable, and trouble-free enough to inspire confidence over time. Lexus’ reputation for quality and reliability reinforces that impression, and the ownership experience is helped by the brand’s long-term support features.

The expert evaluation also emphasizes Lexus’ quality-and-reliability reputation and notes that the IS comes well equipped without becoming overly complicated. The included maintenance and service connectivity features add convenience for ownership planning.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright durability and more about whether the car’s tech and powertrain feel dated enough to bother you over time.

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

At 72.8% 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 careful pre-purchase inspection. Focus on body condition, panel alignment, tire wear, brake condition, and evidence of prior repair quality, especially if the car has been in an incident.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The IS 300 RWD emphasizes the rear-wheel-drive setup, while the IS 300 AWD adds all-wheel drive and the IS 350 versions bring more power. The base setup is the one most likely to leave you wanting more if you care about stronger performance.
• 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 hp and 236 lb-ft, while the IS 350 models use the same V6 tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft. Fuel economy ranges from 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, 25 mpg combined for the IS 300 RWD to 19/26/22 for the AWD versions.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard and includes pre-collision braking 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. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is also included.
• Infotainment: The IS finally gets a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Lexus Enform Safety Connect comes with a three-year trial, Service Connect comes with a 10-year complimentary subscription, and Remote is free for three years.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA estimates 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, 25 mpg combined for the IS 300 RWD; 19/26/22 for the IS 300 AWD; 20/28/23 for the IS 350 RWD; and 19/26/22 for the IS 350 AWD.

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 fit if you want the core IS experience at the lowest price. It gives you the rear-wheel-drive setup and the strongest fuel economy in the range, but it is also the version most likely to feel modest if you want more punch.
• IS 300 AWD: Choose this if you want all-weather traction and prefer the smoother, naturally aspirated V6 character over the turbo four. It costs more than the RWD version, so it makes the most sense if AWD matters to you.
• IS 350 RWD F Sport: This is the best-value choice if you want the sharper performance personality the IS is known for. It adds the stronger V6 tune and the F Sport treatment, making it the most compelling pick for enthusiasts who still want a relatively balanced price.
• IS 350 AWD F Sport: Pick this if you want the strongest all-around performance with AWD traction and are willing to pay for it. It is the most expensive trim, so it suits buyers who want the fullest version of the IS without compromise.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard across the lineup, so you do not need to move up trims for the core driver-assistance suite.

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 carefully without expecting deep bargain-bin conditions.

• Deal availability: 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 529 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.71% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 72.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $33,108, 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 $34,670 sits slightly above last year's $34,087.

That year-over-year increase suggests the market has held up reasonably well, which is a positive sign if you plan to sell later. It also means you are not buying into a model that appears to be rapidly losing value.

Because prices are already above last year’s level, a clean, well-kept example should remain easier to move than one with visible wear or a questionable history. Strong condition and a good equipment mix should matter more when it is 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 (IIHS), nor has it received an overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

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

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 is standard and includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, low-light pedestrian detection, daytime bicyclist detection, and left-turn intersection support, plus lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, enhanced lane-tracing assist, full-speed dynamic adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera with dynamic gridlines, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect are also included.

The main caveat is that the car lacks formal crash-test results in the provided data, so you should lean more heavily on the standard safety equipment and the condition of any used example you consider.

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:

• 34.0% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 1.71% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.62/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 marks the IS’s fourth generation and brings a sharper, more athletic direction.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $37,519, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $34,670 average.
• It adds the new IS 500 F Sport Performance with a V8 and much stronger performance.

The bottom line: Choose the 2021 if you want the better price and the refreshed fourth-generation character without stretching your budget. If performance is your top priority and you can spend more, the 2022 is the stronger enthusiast pick.

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