Used 2016 Lexus ES for Sale near California

How much does the 2016 Lexus ES cost?

Prices are up 3.67% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 602 listings available, which suggests a modest but workable amount of inventory for shoppers.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Lexus ES earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its sleek design, smooth ride, and reliability, and they also value the luxurious interior and the features that make it easy to live with. The trade-offs are a deliberately sedate character and weaker modern tech appeal, especially around safety and connectivity. That fits the car’s role as a quiet, comfort-first luxury sedan for you if you want refinement more than excitement. Good and great deals account for 33.6% of listings, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to reliability, and the expert notes reinforce that with language about bulletproof reliability and a car that doesn’t give much reason to doubt its durability. The performance write-up also emphasizes that the ES is built more for cruising than hard use, which usually aligns with easier long-term ownership. Lexus also includes an opt-in service notification feature that can help you stay on top of scheduled maintenance. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about outright mechanical drama and more about buying a neglected example that hasn’t been maintained consistently.

What should I look for when buying a used 2016 Lexus ES?

At 44% 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 car has had prior bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on condition, maintenance records, and whether the cabin and electronics still feel as refined as they should. Because this model is aimed at comfort and ease of use, you’ll want to make sure the quiet ride, interior quality, and convenience features still match that mission.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The ES 350 comes in only one trim, with packages doing most of the differentiation. The Ultra Luxury package adds wood trim, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade, while the base setup is more restrained.
• Powertrain: A 3.5-liter V6 makes 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic. It is tuned for cruising rather than quick acceleration, and Lexus estimates about 21 mpg city/31 highway/24 combined.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety Suite includes lane-departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control is also available. The optional Pre-Collision System adds front crash prevention capability.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 7-inch customizable display with HD radio, Bluetooth streaming, and traffic information. Navigation adds Enform features, and the Ultra Luxury package includes keyless entry.
• Fuel efficiency: Lexus estimates 21 mpg city/31 highway/24 combined, and real-world driving in the expert test returned roughly 22 mpg in a 70/30 highway/city mix.

Which 2016 Lexus ES trim should I buy?

The 2016 Lexus ES is offered in 1 trim level: ES 350.

Here's the short version:

The ES 350 is the trim to buy because it is the only one, and it already gives you the core comfort-first Lexus experience. If you want the best value, look for one with the available packages that matter most to you rather than paying for every option. The Ultra Luxury package is the one to target if you want the most upscale cabin feel and the most comfort features.

Lexus Safety Suite can be added separately, and that’s worth prioritizing if you want the extra driver-assistance coverage.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2016 Lexus ES?

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop patiently but still need to move quickly on the right car.

• Deal availability: 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 602 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.67% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 44.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,312, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2016 Lexus ES's resale value?

The current average of $19,913 sits slightly above last year's $19,208.

That upward move suggests the market has been willing to pay a bit more for this model year, which is a positive sign if you plan to sell later. The price trend also points to steady demand rather than a softening market, especially for clean examples with good history. Because this car has strong owner satisfaction, it should continue to attract buyers who want a comfortable, reliable luxury sedan.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.5/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES safe?

The 2016 Lexus ES earns the IIHS's highest rating for all its crash tests, including small overlap, moderate overlap, side, rollover, and head restraints.

It earns a 9/10 safety score from our experts.

Lexus Safety Suite includes lane-departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control is also available. The optional Pre-Collision System adds front crash prevention capability. One caveat is that the car had not yet received a crash rating from NHTSA in this model year, even though the nearly identical prior model earned five-star results.

Should I buy a 2016 Lexus ES or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2016 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2016 if:

• 33.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 44% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 3.67% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It improves slightly on the prior redesign with a quieter, comfort-focused cabin and easy-to-use tech.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $16,991, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $19,913 average.
• It emphasizes plush comfort, upscale materials, and bulletproof reliability.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced choice, the 2016 is the stronger pick because it combines comfort, safety, and solid owner satisfaction with a still-reasonable market price. If your priority is spending less up front, the 2015 is the better value-oriented alternative, especially if you find a clean example with good maintenance history.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.