Head-To-Head Resale Comparison

Honda Accord vs Lexus ES: resale value, depreciation and costs

We compared 2,099 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.

Honda Accord vs Lexus ES resale value and ownership metrics
MetricHonda AccordLexus ES
5-year value retainedSmoothed estimate in the 2026 market cycle77.4%Not available
5-year depreciationEstimated share of original value lost22.6%Not available
Average used asking priceMedian asking prices averaged across covered model years$22,579$24,028
Average original MSRPOriginal sticker prices averaged across covered years$29,956$46,027
Latest combined fuel economy2026 Honda Accord vs 2020 Lexus ES32 MPG26 MPG
Average annual repair costRepairPal model-level estimateNot availableNot available
RepairPal reliability ratingOut of 5.0Not availableNot available
Latest NHTSA overall rating2022 vs 20185 / 5 stars5 / 5 stars
Listing observationsEvidence behind the model-level curves1,839260

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 Honda Accord and Lexus ES
Model yearHonda Accord depreciationHonda Accord median priceLexus ES depreciationLexus ES median price
202024.8%$20,09033.8%$30,727
201929.1%$19,13838.8%$28,716
201836.1%$18,34947.7%$22,684
201743.3%$15,64451.3%$22,884
201647.5%$14,91655.1%$21,159
201553.0%$13,98960.3%$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 Honda Accord if...

  • You are targeting one of the 6 shared model years where it posted lower measured depreciation than the Lexus ES.
  • Its average median used asking price is $1,449 lower across the covered model years.
  • Fuel economy matters: the latest covered model year is rated at 32 MPG combined, 6 MPG higher.
Research every Honda Accord model year

Choose the Lexus ES if...

  • You found a specific example with the stronger year, trim, mileage, condition or service history; those details can outweigh a model-level average.
  • Its $24,028 average median asking price fits your budget after you check the same-year rows below.
  • You want the broader context in its 6-model-year guide before narrowing the search to a trim and mileage band.
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.

Honda Accord

Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord and Lexus ES stack up against other close alternatives using the same resale-value framework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which holds its value better, the Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord or Lexus ES cheaper to buy used?

Across the model years in this dataset, the Honda Accord has the lower average median asking price at $22,579, about $1,449 below the Lexus ES 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 Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord 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 2,099 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 2,099 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.