Used 2016 Lexus ES for Sale nearCharlotte, NC

How much does the 2016 Lexus ES cost?

Prices are up 6.53% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 600 listings available, which suggests a healthy amount of inventory for shoppers to compare.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Lexus ES earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.8/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its smooth ride, luxurious interior, and reliability, and they also like the features that make daily driving easier. The overview points you toward a quiet, comfort-first luxury sedan, which matches the recurring themes of refinement and easygoing use. The main trade-offs are its sluggish performance and some dated technology and connectivity.

The market still looks reasonably accessible, with 33.8% of listings priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES reliable?

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

The owner feedback also points to reliability and a trouble-free ownership experience, along with a reputation for being dependable over the long term. The expert evaluation reinforces that with language about bulletproof reliability and a car that doesn’t give much reason to doubt it. Lexus also notes an opt-in service notification feature that can help you stay ahead of scheduled maintenance.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about durability and more about whether the car’s age and equipment level still match your expectations.

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

At 48.5% 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 matters here, especially if you’re comparing cars with similar prices but different condition histories. Focus on the cabin, electronics, and maintenance records so you can separate a clean, well-kept example from one that has simply been priced aggressively.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The ES 350 comes in only one trim, with packages that add wood trim, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a power rear sunshade, navigation, premium audio, and Lexus’s Safety Suite. The base setup is more modest, so package content is the main differentiator.
• Powertrain: It uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 268 horsepower and a 6-speed automatic, and it is tuned more for cruising than for quick acceleration. Efficiency is listed at 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety Suite adds lane-departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control is also available. The optional Pre-Collision System is tied to a Superior front crash-prevention rating.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 7-inch customizable display with HD radio, Bluetooth streaming, and traffic information. Navigation adds Enform features, but wireless smartphone integration is not mentioned.
• Fuel efficiency: The ES 350 is rated at 21 mpg city, 31 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined, and real-world testing returned roughly 22 mpg in mixed driving.

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 shop if you want the core Lexus comfort-and-value formula without overcomplicating the search. It already delivers the quiet ride, upscale cabin, and strong safety reputation that define the model, while the available packages let you add the luxury and tech features you care about most. The ultra-luxury package is the one to prioritize if you want the most complete version of this car’s comfort mission.

Lexus Safety Suite is available as an option, so make sure any used example you’re considering has the safety equipment you want.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting deep discounts everywhere.

• Deal availability: 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 600 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 6.53% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 48.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,280, 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 $19,828 sits slightly above last year's $18,612.

That upward move suggests the market has been willing to pay more for this model year, which is a positive sign if you plan to sell later. A stronger current price can help support resale value, especially when inventory remains active and buyers still see the ES as a comfort-focused luxury sedan. The model’s value story is helped by its reputation for reliability and its broad appeal to shoppers who want a refined daily driver.

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 has not yet received a crash rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the car its 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 offers lane-departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control, and the optional Pre-Collision System adds front crash-prevention capability. The main caveat is that the car’s safety tech is not especially advanced by modern standards, and some desirable features are optional rather than standard.

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:

• 33.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 6.53% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2016 brings a fresher look from its grille and bumper updates, while keeping the comfort-first character intact.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $16,621, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $19,828 average.
• It emphasizes refinement, upscale appointments, and strong reliability in a plush luxury-sedan package.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced mix of freshness, comfort, and market support, the 2016 is the safer pick. If your priority is spending less up front and you’re comfortable giving up some of the 2016’s updated styling and market momentum, the 2015 is the value-oriented alternative.

How does the 2016 Lexus ES compare to the 2016 Toyota Avalon?

Our experts score the 2016 Lexus ES 7.8/10 and the 2016 Toyota Avalon 7.5/10.

The Lexus ES and Toyota Avalon share the same engine output and similar efficiency, but the ES leans more heavily into luxury-brand refinement and a quieter, more upscale cabin. The Avalon undercuts it on average used price and has a slightly higher accident-free share, while the ES has the stronger expert score and a better good-and-great deal share. If you want the more premium-feeling sedan, the ES is the better fit; if you want to spend less for similar mechanical basics, the Avalon is worth a look.

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