Used 2016 Lexus ES for Sale near South Carolina

How much does the 2016 Lexus ES cost?

Prices are up 5.02% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 609 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory 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, sleek design, and reliability, and many also like the luxurious interior and easy-to-use features. The overview points to a quiet cabin and a relaxed, low-stress driving experience, which fits you well if you want comfort over flash. The main trade-off is that it is not especially exciting to drive, and the expert notes also call out sluggish performance.

You should also keep in mind that the market shows 32.8% good or great deals, so there are still some attractive listings if you shop carefully.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES reliable?

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

Owners describe it as reliable and appreciate its trouble-free, dependable character, with language that points to a car you can count on over the long term. The expert notes also reinforce that theme by describing Lexus’s reputation for bulletproof reliability and saying the ES gives little reason to doubt it. The cost-effectiveness notes add that Lexus has always had a reputation for bulletproof reliability, which supports the used-buying case.

For used buyers, the main long-term ownership risk is less about durability and more about finding a well-kept example with the right maintenance history.

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

At 49.8% 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 thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had prior damage or multiple owners. Focus on overall condition, maintenance records, and whether the cabin and electronics still feel as refined as they should. Because this model is meant to be a calm luxury sedan, you should pay close attention to signs of neglect that could undermine that experience.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The ES 350 comes in only one trim, with different packages for buyers. The ultra-luxury package adds optional wood trim, a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and a power rear sunshade, while navigation and Mark Levinson premium audio can be added separately. Lexus’s Safety Suite of lane-departure and blind-spot warnings is also available, so base cars may miss some of the convenience and safety equipment you want.
• Powertrain: The ES 350 uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 268 horsepower and a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is tuned more for cruising than performance, and the expert notes say it is not in any hurry to get anywhere.
• Safety package: Lexus’s Safety Suite includes lane-departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control is also listed among the available safe-driving features. The optional Pre-Collision System earned a Superior rating for front crash prevention.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 7-inch customizable display with HD radio, Bluetooth streaming, and traffic information. With navigation, Lexus Enform adds functions such as movie times, weather, and Internet radio.
• Fuel efficiency: The ES 350 is rated at 21 mpg city and 31 mpg highway, with 24 mpg 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 buy because it already delivers the core ES formula: a quiet cabin, smooth V6 power, and a comfort-first luxury feel. If you want the best value, start here and then decide whether the available packages are worth adding for your needs. The ultra-luxury package is the one to consider if you want the most upscale experience, especially the heated and ventilated seats and panoramic sunroof.

Lexus’s Safety Suite can be added, so it is worth prioritizing on any used example you consider.

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

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you have room to shop selectively without expecting a deep bargain on every listing.

• Deal availability: 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 609 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 5.02% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 49.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,272, 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 $19,826 sits slightly above last year's $18,879.

That year-over-year increase suggests the market has held up reasonably well for this model year. If you buy carefully and keep the car in strong condition, you should have a decent chance of preserving value better than a weaker-performing or less desirable luxury sedan. The relatively tight spread between the year-round low and high also suggests pricing is fairly stable.

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 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s highest rating across its crash tests, and the 2015 model it closely mirrors received a five-star rating from NHTSA, including five stars for front and side collisions.

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

Lexus offers lane-departure warnings, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control as available safe-driving features. The optional Pre-Collision System also earned a Superior rating for front crash prevention. One caveat is that the 2016 model itself had not yet received a crash rating from NHTSA in the source material, so the government result cited here comes from the closely related 2015 model.

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:

• 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 49.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 5.02% 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.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $16,494, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $19,826 average.
• It emphasizes refinement and comfort with bulletproof reliability.

The bottom line: If you want the better-balanced shopping target, the 2016 is the safer pick because it combines strong owner satisfaction, solid safety, and a refreshed look. If your priority is saving money, the 2015 is the value play, especially if you find one in excellent condition with a clean history.

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 is the more upscale choice, with a quieter cabin and a stronger luxury focus, while the Avalon gives you a lower average used price. Both use the same 3.5L V6 and return the same city and highway MPG figures, so the decision comes down more to feel, equipment, and price than to powertrain differences. The ES also has the stronger expert score and a slightly better good-and-great deal share, while the Avalon has a higher accident-free share.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.