Used 2016 Lexus ES for SaleNationwide

How much does the 2016 Lexus ES cost?

Prices are up 2.29% year-over-year — a sign of continued demand for this model year.

There are 640 listings available, which gives you a modest amount of inventory to compare before you buy.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES a good car?

Yes — the 2016 Lexus ES earns a 4.5/5 user rating and a 7.83/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Safety at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its sleek design, smooth ride, and reliability, and they also like the luxurious interior and the features that make it easy to live with. The main trade-offs are its deliberately sedate character and the lack of more modern tech, especially in safety and connectivity.

That makes it a strong fit if you want a refined, low-stress midsize luxury sedan rather than something built for excitement. With 34.8% of listings marked as good or great deals, you still have room to shop selectively.

Is the 2016 Lexus ES reliable?

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

The owner feedback points to reliability, and the expert write-up reinforces that with language about Lexus’s bulletproof reputation and the ES’s dependable, trouble-free character. The car is also described as a model you can count on for comfortable, low-stress ownership.

The expert notes that Lexus’s maintenance notification feature can help you stay ahead of scheduled service, which is a practical ownership perk. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about mechanical drama and more about finding a well-kept example with complete service history.

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

At 48.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of bodywork, panel alignment, and signs of prior repair. Because this model is bought for comfort and refinement, condition matters a lot: pay close attention to the cabin, electronics, and how quietly the car drives.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The ES 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 premium audio are separate add-ons. The base setup is more modest, so package content matters a lot if you want a more upscale feel.
• Powertrain: The ES 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 excitement, and Lexus estimates 21 mpg city/31 highway/24 combined.
• Safety package: Lexus Safety Suite includes lane-departure warnings and blind-spot warnings, and adaptive cruise control is also offered. The optional Pre-Collision System adds front crash prevention capability, and some safety features are not standard on every version.
• Infotainment: Standard equipment includes a 7-inch customizable display with HD radio, Bluetooth streaming, and traffic information. Navigation adds the Enform suite, and the system can also support connected functions such as movie times, weather, and Internet radio.
• Fuel efficiency: Lexus estimates 21 mpg city/31 highway/24 combined, and real-world testing returned roughly 22 mpg in mixed driving.

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 the car’s appeal is really about comfort, quietness, and value rather than a wide trim ladder. If you want the best balance of luxury and everyday usability, this is the one to start with, and the available packages let you tailor it upward without changing the core formula.

The ultra-luxury package is the best fit if you want the most upscale cabin experience, especially with the added wood trim, panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, and rear sunshade. If you care more about convenience and tech, navigation and premium audio are the add-ons to prioritize.

Lexus Safety Suite can be added separately, so it is worth checking whether a used example already has it equipped.

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 640 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices are up 2.29% year-over-year.
• Clean inventory: 48.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,271, 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 $19,634 sits slightly above last year's $19,193.

That kind of upward movement suggests the market still sees value in this model year, which can help support resale strength if you buy well and keep the car in good condition. Because the ES is positioned as a comfort-first luxury sedan with a strong reputation, clean examples should remain easier to move than neglected ones.

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 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 offers a safety suite with lane-departure warnings and blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control is also available. The optional Pre-Collision System adds front crash prevention, and that is the key safety upgrade to look for on a used example.

One caveat is that the model’s safety tech is not especially modern by current standards, so you should verify which driver-assistance features are actually installed on the car you are considering.

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:

• 34.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 48.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices are up 2.29% year-over-year.
• Owners rate it 4.5/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It pairs a quiet cabin with a comfort-first setup and strong safety ratings.

Consider the 2015 if:

• At $16,667, the 2015 costs less than the current year's $19,634 average.
• It emphasizes plush comfort, upscale appointments, and bulletproof reliability.

The bottom line: Choose the 2016 if you want the newer, slightly more refined version of the ES formula and are comfortable paying more for it. If your priority is saving money, the 2015 is the better value play, especially if you find one in clean condition with the right maintenance history.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.