Used 2021 Lexus ES for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2021 Lexus ES cost?

Prices have softened 1.26% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 815 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2021 Lexus ES a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Lexus ES earns a 4.86/5 user rating and a 7.33/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Cost effectiveness at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise its luxurious feel, smooth ride, and fuel efficiency, and many also value the quality and overall value it delivers. The overview points to the same core appeal: a comfortable, quiet, roomy sedan that is relatively affordable for the segment. The main trade-offs are its polarizing design and unintuitive technology, while performance is described as fairly pedestrian.

That makes it a strong fit if you want a cushy daily driver rather than something overtly sporty. Good and great deals account for 43.3% of listings, so there is still room to shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Lexus ES reliable?

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

User feedback repeatedly points to reliability, dependability, and a trouble-free ownership experience, with many drivers saying they feel confident counting on it over time. The expert review also reinforces that theme by describing it as reliable and by emphasizing its relaxed, easygoing character. On the ownership side, the cost-effectiveness discussion suggests the ES is built to be a sensible long-term buy, especially if you value comfort and value together.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the car’s core durability and more about choosing one that has been maintained well and not overused.

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

At 74.6% 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 higher mileage or visible cosmetic wear. Focus on signs of prior bodywork, uneven panel gaps, tire wear, and any evidence that the cabin tech or driver-assistance systems have been tampered with or repaired. Because this model is meant to be a comfort-first luxury sedan, condition matters a lot: a clean, well-kept example will feel much more rewarding than one that has been neglected.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Standard, F Sport, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury are available on the ES 250 and ES 350, while the ES 300h is offered in Standard, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury. Base versions miss blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, so you should pay close attention to whether those features are included on the trim you’re considering.
• 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. The ES 250 uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with standard all-wheel drive, and the ES 300h adds a hybrid setup with a significant fuel-economy advantage.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety System 2.0 is standard and 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. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on all versions except the base trim.
• Infotainment: The standard screen is 8 inches, and a 12.3-inch widescreen display is available. All trim levels include Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and connected services, while the larger screen adds dynamic navigation and Destination Assist.
• Fuel efficiency: The ES 350 is rated at 25 mpg in combined driving, and the test loop returned 22.9 mpg. The hybrid version is described as providing a significant gain in fuel economy.

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:

• Standard: This is the value play if you want the ES experience at the lowest entry point, but you should verify that the safety features you want are included, since blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not standard here.
• F Sport: This is the best choice if you want the sharpest look and a more engaging feel. It adds 19-inch wheels, unique styling details, a rear spoiler, aluminum interior trim, F Sport instrumentation, and a black headliner, and it suits you best if you want the ES to feel a little more expressive without abandoning comfort.
• Luxury: This is the trim to target if you want a more upscale daily driver with a stronger emphasis on comfort and refinement than the base model.
• Ultra Luxury: This is the top comfort-focused choice, and it makes the most sense if you want the richest feature set and the most relaxed ownership experience.

Blind-spot monitoring and 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?

It looks like a buyer-friendly market right now.

• Deal availability: 43.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 815 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.26% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.6% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $30,004, 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 $31,267 sits slightly below last year's $31,666.

That modest decline suggests the market has softened a bit, which can help you as a buyer today but may slightly temper what you recover later as a seller. Even so, the ES’s combination of comfort, value, and strong owner satisfaction should help it remain appealing to used shoppers. If you keep mileage reasonable and maintain the car well, you should be in a better position when it’s time to resell.

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 2021 Lexus ES earns a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

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

Lexus Safety System 2.0 is standard, and it 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. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are standard on all versions except the base trim.

One caveat is that the lane-centering system can be a bit fussy in real-world use, so you may find yourself turning some driver-assistance features off more often than you expect.

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:

• 43.3% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74.6% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 1.26% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.86/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 adds the ES 250 series and expands the lineup with more trim and powertrain flexibility.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $29,713, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $31,267 average.
• It keeps the comfort-first formula while adding some in-cabin tech features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $34,915, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $31,267 average.
• It broadens the powertrain lineup with four-cylinder, six-cylinder, and hybrid choices.

The bottom line: the 2021 is the best all-around pick if you want the strongest mix of value, comfort, and available inventory. If price is your top priority, the 2020 is the smarter bargain; if you want to spend more for a newer-year alternative, the 2022 is worth a look.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.