How much does the 2016 Lexus ES cost?

Prices are up 2.63% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 568 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $18,303.07, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES a good car?

Yes — the 4.5/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert score is 7.83/10. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the smooth ride, sleek design, and reliability, along with the luxurious interior and easy-to-use features. The car’s comfort-first personality and quiet cabin also come through clearly in the feedback.

The trade-offs are just as clear: it is not especially exciting to drive, and the tech can feel behind the curve in some areas. That fits the overview well, since this is a sedan aimed at buyers who want a calm, luxury-focused experience rather than a sporty one.

With 29.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, there is still room to find value if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES reliable?

Owners rate it 4.5/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. User feedback also points to reliability, with owners describing it as dependable and a car you can count on over time.

The expert review reinforces that theme by calling out Lexus’s reputation for bulletproof reliability and noting that the ES does not give much reason to believe otherwise. It also frames the car as a comfort-first luxury sedan that trades some driving fun for durability and ease of ownership.

If you want a used luxury sedan with a reputation for staying trouble-free, this model fits that brief well, though you should still watch for age-related wear on higher-mileage examples.

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

At 46.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had bodywork or multiple owners. Focus on overall condition, cabin wear, and whether the features you want were actually added as options.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The ES 350 comes in only one trim, with different packages for buyers. The base setup is conservative and upscale, while the Ultra Luxury Package adds wood trim, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade. Navigation and Mark Levinson premium audio are also available, and the Safety Suite can be added separately.
• Powertrain: The ES 350 uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic. It is tuned more for cruising than performance, and the power delivery is smooth rather than urgent.
• 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 system can provide concierge-style functions such as movie times, weather, and Internet radio.
• Fuel efficiency: The ES 350 is rated at 21 mpg city, 31 highway, and 24 combined.

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 focus on because it is the only standard gas model listed here, and it already delivers the core comfort, quietness, and upscale feel that define the car. If you want the best-value setup, start here and then decide whether the available packages are worth adding for your needs.

The Safety Suite can be added separately, so make sure you check whether a given listing includes it if driver-assistance features matter to you.

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

Act selectively, because this is still a seller’s market even though there are some attractive listings out there.

• Deal availability: 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 568 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 2.63% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 46.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,303.07, 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 $19,929 sits slightly above last year's $19,418.

That upward move suggests the market has held up reasonably well for this model year, which is a positive sign if you plan to sell later. It also means buyers are still willing to pay for the ES’s comfort, reliability, and luxury reputation.

Because the price trend is still positive, a well-kept example should remain easier to move than a neglected one. Strong condition and a clean history will matter a lot if you want to protect your exit price.

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 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 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, and Lexus notes that the ES does not yet have semi-autonomous or fully autonomous driving features.

That strong crash-test performance is a major plus, but you should still confirm whether a specific used example has the safety options you want, since some features were 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:

• 29.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 46.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 2.63% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It adds a refreshed grille and bumpers while keeping the quiet, comfort-first character that defines the ES.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $17,009, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $19,929 average.
• It emphasizes plush comfort, upscale appointments, and dependable ownership.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced pick, the 2016 makes sense because it combines strong owner satisfaction, solid safety, and a refreshed look without losing the ES’s core comfort appeal. If your priority is saving money, the 2015 is the value play, especially if you find one in excellent condition with the right equipment.

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