Used 2020 Lexus ES for Sale near Illinois

How much does the 2020 Lexus ES cost?

Prices have held steady compared to this time last year, signaling a stable and predictable market for this model year.

There are 833 listings available, which gives you a solid amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2020 Lexus ES a good car?

Yes — it earns a 5/5 user rating and an 8.00/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 10/10.

Owners consistently praise the luxury feel, smooth driving experience, quiet cabin, and comfortable interior. Those themes line up well with the ES’s comfort-first mission, especially if you want a refined daily driver for commuting and longer trips. The main trade-offs are its fairly pedestrian performance and limited cargo space, so it fits you best if comfort matters more than speed or utility.

The current listing mix also looks favorable, with 38.2% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2020 Lexus ES reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to a car that feels dependable, with repeated praise for its smooth driving experience, quiet cabin, and comfortable interior. That kind of feedback usually matters most if you want a sedan you can count on for daily use and longer ownership.

The expert review also emphasizes the ES’s relaxed, refined character and its comfort-focused setup, which supports the idea that it is built for easy, low-stress driving. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about excitement and more about making sure the car’s condition matches its premium reputation.

What should I look for when buying a used 2020 Lexus ES?

At 66.5% 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 careful pre-purchase inspection, especially if you are considering a lower-priced listing. Focus on signs of prior bodywork, uneven panel gaps, interior wear, and any evidence that the car’s comfort and tech features have not aged well. If you want the best ownership experience, condition matters more here than chasing the cheapest example.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base ES 350 includes a power moonroof, synthetic leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity entry, push-button start, and an 8-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims add features such as perforated leather, woodgrain trim, ambient cabin lighting, a hands-free power trunk, semi-aniline leather upholstery, and rear-window sunshades, so the base trim is the one most likely to feel light on luxury extras.
• Powertrain: The ES uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It is tuned for confident acceleration and a calm commute rather than sporty performance.
• Safety package: Every 2020 Lexus ES comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which includes forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic high beams, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist. That standard coverage is a major strength across the lineup.
• Infotainment: The ES comes standard with an 8-inch display, and a 12.3-inch screen is available. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the system uses Lexus Remote Touch rather than a touchscreen.
• Fuel efficiency: The ES 350 returns 22/32/26 mpg, while the ES 350 F Sport returns 22/31/25 mpg.

Which 2020 Lexus ES trim should I buy?

The 2020 Lexus ES is offered in 4 trim levels: 350 FWD, Luxury, Ultra Luxury, and F Sport.

Here's the short version:

• 350 FWD: This is the best-value choice if you want the ES’s core strengths without paying for extras. You still get the power moonroof, synthetic leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, proximity entry, push-button start, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Luxury: This trim adds perforated leather seats, woodgrain trim, ambient cabin lighting, and the content from the Premium Package, making it the better pick if you want a more upscale cabin feel.
• Ultra Luxury: Choose this if you want the most comfort-oriented ES, since it adds a hands-free power trunk, semi-aniline leather upholstery, a power rear-window sunshade, and manual side-rear window shades.
• F Sport: This is the trim for you if you want the sportiest-looking ES, with a unique black mesh grille, lower front valence, dark window accents, unique 19-inch alloy wheels, aluminum trim accents, and unique heated and ventilated front bucket seats. It is the least comfort-first of the group, so it makes sense mainly if style matters more than value.

Every 2020 Lexus ES comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, so you get a strong safety baseline no matter which trim you choose.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2020 Lexus ES?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you have room to shop carefully without rushing.

• Deal availability: 38.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 833 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 66.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $28,482, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2020 Lexus ES's resale value?

The current average of $28,982 sits slightly below last year's $29,274.

That small decline suggests the market has been fairly stable, which is helpful if you plan to sell later because it points to predictable pricing rather than sharp swings. A steady used-price pattern can make it easier for you to estimate future value and time your sale. The ES’s strong owner satisfaction should also help keep demand healthy among shoppers looking for a comfortable luxury sedan.

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

Is the 2020 Lexus ES safe?

The 2020 Lexus ES earns Top Safety Pick+ recognition from IIHS and five-star ratings from NHTSA.

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

Every 2020 Lexus ES comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, which includes forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic high beams, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keep assist, and lane-tracing assist. That standard suite gives you a broad set of driver-assistance features right from the base trim.

Should I buy a 2020 Lexus ES or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2020 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2020 if:

• 38.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 66.5% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2020 adds standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while keeping the ES’s comfort-first formula.

Consider the 2021 if:

• At $30,880, the 2021 costs more than the current year's $28,982 average.
• It offers a roomier, quieter cabin with a relaxed driving demeanor.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2020 is the smarter starting point because pricing is stable and the feature set is already strong. If you are willing to spend more for a newer model year, the 2021 is the cleaner upgrade path for buyers who prioritize comfort and refinement over savings.

How does the 2020 Lexus ES compare to the 2020 Toyota Avalon?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2020 Lexus ES:

• Pros: Premium interior materials, Standard advanced safety features.
• Cons: Not much cargo space, Fairly pedestrian performance.

2020 Toyota Avalon:

• Pros: Great safety ratings, Standard advanced safety features, Spacious.
• Cons: Poor value for money.

Our experts score the 2020 Lexus ES 8/10 and the 2020 Toyota Avalon 7.7/10. The Lexus feels more upscale inside, while the Avalon leans harder into space and value. Both offer standard advanced safety features, but the ES is the better pick if you care more about premium materials and a luxury feel.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from November 3, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.