Head-To-Head Resale Comparison

Dodge Charger vs Lexus ES: resale value, depreciation and costs

We compared 2,284 listing observations from the 2026 market cycle to see which model retains more value, costs less used, and brings the stronger ownership numbers.

The Short Answer

One market cycle, incomplete five-year evidence

Both models were observed in the 2026 market cycle, but at least one side does not include the five-year cohort required for a defensible smoothed retention score. CarResaleValue does not fill that gap with a synthetic rank. Use the shared model-year rows, used prices, fuel economy, repairs and safety evidence instead.

Comparison Scorecard

The numbers that change the decision

Green cells mark a measurable advantage, not an overall verdict. Price and coverage are shown without declaring a winner because the right tradeoff depends on your budget and the exact vehicle.

Dodge Charger vs Lexus ES resale value and ownership metrics
MetricDodge ChargerLexus ES
5-year value retainedSmoothed estimate in the 2026 market cycle63.1%Not available
5-year depreciationEstimated share of original value lost36.9%Not available
Average used asking priceMedian asking prices averaged across covered model years$26,372$24,028
Average original MSRPOriginal sticker prices averaged across covered years$42,534$46,027
Latest combined fuel economy2026 Dodge Charger vs 2020 Lexus ES88 MPG26 MPG
Average annual repair costRepairPal model-level estimateNot availableNot available
RepairPal reliability ratingOut of 5.0Not availableNot available
Latest NHTSA overall rating2023 vs 20185 / 5 stars5 / 5 stars
Listing observationsEvidence behind the model-level curves2,024260

Year By Year

Compare overlapping model years

These 6shared model years make age-matched shopping easier. Depreciation compares each year's normalized asking price with its original MSRP.

Shared model-year depreciation and median asking prices for the Dodge Charger and Lexus ES
Model yearDodge Charger depreciationDodge Charger median priceLexus ES depreciationLexus ES median price
202034.3%$22,64833.8%$30,727
201939.0%$20,40838.8%$28,716
201847.7%$18,18347.7%$22,684
201750.0%$17,16151.3%$22,884
201655.9%$15,39855.1%$21,159
201562.7%$13,02560.3%$17,998

Buyer Fit

Which one should you buy?

Start with the tradeoff you care about, then verify the exact year, trim, mileage and service history. A model-level advantage can disappear when two individual used cars are not equivalent.

Choose the Dodge Charger if...

  • You are targeting one of the 1 shared model years where it posted lower measured depreciation than the Lexus ES.
  • Fuel economy matters: the latest covered model year is rated at 88 MPG combined, 62 MPG higher.
  • You found a specific example with the stronger year, trim, mileage, condition or service history; those details can outweigh a model-level average.
Research every Dodge Charger model year

Choose the Lexus ES if...

  • You are targeting one of the 4 shared model years where it posted lower measured depreciation than the Dodge Charger.
  • Its average median used asking price is $2,344 lower across the covered model years.
  • You found a specific example with the stronger year, trim, mileage, condition or service history; those details can outweigh a model-level average.
Research every Lexus ES model year

Beyond The Score

How these models fit the used market

Resale value is only one part of the choice. Segment role, supply and the mix of years on sale help explain why two similarly priced vehicles can depreciate differently.

Dodge Charger

Dodge Charger coverage spans 2015-2026.

Lexus ES

The Lexus ES is a midsize luxury sedan offered as the V6-powered ES 350 and fuel-efficient ES 300h hybrid, with an emphasis on comfort and long-term ownership.

Market context: The source window crosses the 2019 seventh-generation redesign, so generation, hybrid powertrain, Luxury or F Sport equipment, mileage, and condition all shape the resale curve.

Go Deeper

Open the full model-year research

Compare trims, mileage, recalls, fuel costs and current listing examples before deciding on one specific car.

Keep Comparing

See how the Dodge Charger and Lexus ES stack up against other close alternatives using the same resale-value framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which holds its value better, the Dodge Charger or Lexus ES?

Both models use the 2026 observation cycle, but at least one does not have the observed five-year cohort required for a model-level retention score. CarResaleValue therefore does not declare a five-year winner or extrapolate beyond the available evidence. Compare the overlapping model-year depreciation rows, asking prices, repair indicators, fuel economy and safety data, then verify the exact year, trim, mileage and condition in current local listings.

Is the Dodge Charger or Lexus ES cheaper to buy used?

Across the model years in this dataset, the Lexus ES has the lower average median asking price at $24,028, about $2,344 below the Dodge Charger average. That broad average is a starting point, not a like-for-like quote, because each model can have a different year range, trim mix and mileage distribution. The year-by-year table is the better place to compare vehicles of the same age before checking listings near you.

Which is less expensive to maintain, the Dodge Charger or Lexus ES?

The available model data does not provide a complete annual repair-cost estimate for both vehicles, so this page does not name a maintenance-cost winner. Use the RepairPal ratings where shown, review recalls and complaints in each model-year guide, ask for service records, and budget for an independent pre-purchase inspection. Age, mileage, powertrain and previous maintenance usually matter more than a single broad reliability score.

How does CarResaleValue compare the Dodge Charger and Lexus ES?

CarResaleValue normalizes observed used-car asking prices to a standard 12,000 miles per year, applies a 5% asking-to-sale adjustment, and compares the result with original MSRP references. A smoothed retention curve produces the five-year estimate when the data contains an observed five-year cohort. This page combines 2,284 listing observations across 18 model-year records, then adds EPA fuel economy, NHTSA safety data and RepairPal ownership indicators where available.

Comparison methodology

This page combines 2,284 listing observations across 18 model-year records. Asking prices are mileage-normalized to 12,000 miles per year, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared with original MSRP references. Five-year figures use a smoothed curve only when an observed five-year cohort exists. EPA, NHTSA and RepairPal fields are shown independently and may cover different model years. Read the full CarResaleValue methodology. You can also browse the sedan resale value ranking.