How much does the 2021 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 752 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

If you find a listing below $29,999.52, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Lexus ES a good car?

Yes — the 4.86/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 7.33/10. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise the ES for its luxurious feel, smooth ride, and fuel efficiency, and many also value the quality and value it delivers. The overview frames it as a comfort-first luxury sedan with a roomy cabin and relaxed driving demeanor, which fits the recurring praise for refinement and everyday ease. The main trade-offs are its polarizing design, unintuitive technology, and fairly pedestrian performance.

The market also looks healthy, with 36.3% of listings marked as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Lexus ES reliable?

Owners rate it 4.86/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The user feedback points to a car that feels dependable, with drivers highlighting its quality, value, and trouble-free ownership experience. The expert evaluation also reinforces that impression by describing it as reliable and comfortable, with a calm, easygoing character that suits long-term use. Lexus also includes a first scheduled maintenance visit on the house.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about core durability and more about whether the technology and prior maintenance history have been kept in good shape.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Lexus ES?

At 73.9% 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 considering a higher-trim car with more equipment and more systems to check. Focus on overall condition, evidence of bodywork, and whether the cabin tech and driver-assistance features operate as intended.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard trim misses blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while F Sport adds distinctive styling details, 19-inch wheels, a rear spoiler, aluminum interior trim, F Sport instrumentation, and a black headliner.
• Powertrain: The ES 350 uses a 3.5-liter V6 with 302 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. Lexus also notes 25 mpg in combined driving.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety System 2.0 includes forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, road-sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights.
• Infotainment: The standard screen is 8 inches, with an available 12.3-inch widescreen display. All trim levels include Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services.
• Fuel efficiency: Lexus rates the ES 350 at 25 mpg combined, and testing returned 22.9 mpg.

Which 2021 Lexus ES trim should I buy?

The 2021 Lexus ES is offered in 4 trim levels: Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: The standard trim is the one to skip if you want the fullest safety equipment, since it lacks blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
• Sweet-spot trim: F Sport is the most compelling choice if you want the best blend of style and driving character, since it adds the sportier look and the more engaging suspension tuning.
• Premium/top trim: Ultra Luxury is the best fit if you want the most upscale cabin experience and the richest feature content.
• Off-road trim: Not applicable here.

Lexus Safety System 2.0 is standard across the lineup, and blind-spot monitoring plus rear cross-traffic alert are standard on every version except the base trim.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Lexus ES?

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

• Deal availability: 36.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 752 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have held steady compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $29,999.52, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Lexus ES's resale value?

The current average of $31,560 sits slightly above last year's $31,499.

That small increase suggests the ES has held its value well rather than swinging sharply with the market. For a future seller, that kind of stability is helpful because it points to predictable demand and less risk of a sudden price drop. The model’s comfort-first appeal and broad owner satisfaction should continue to support buyer interest over time.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.86/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Lexus ES safe?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety calls it a Top Safety Pick+ for 2021, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives it a five-star overall rating.

It earns a 7/10 safety score from our experts.

Lexus Safety System 2.0 is standard, and it bundles forward-collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, road-sign recognition, and automatic high-beam headlights. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on every version except the base trim.

One caveat is that the lane-centering system can feel intrusive at times, and the adaptive cruise logic may react more abruptly than you’d like in traffic.

Should I buy a 2021 Lexus ES or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 36.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.9% 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 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It combines comfort, value, and a broad powertrain lineup in a class-of-one market position.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $29,595, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,560 average.
• It keeps the same comfort-first personality with added in-cabin tech.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $35,777, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,560 average.
• It adds a broader powertrain lineup and a more mature luxury-sedan appeal.

The bottom line: The 2021 is the best all-around pick if you want the strongest mix of value, comfort, and market availability. If your priority is saving money, the 2020 is the smarter path; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling alternative, the 2022 is worth a look.

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