Model comparison
Lexus ES vs Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Depreciation, used prices, ownership costs and model-year data compared
See the comparisonAverage depreciation
Lexus ES Depreciation & Resale Value
Buying a 2018 model instead of new saves roughly $16,266 off the original sticker.
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.
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Compare the Lexus ES with its closest rivals
Open a side-by-side comparison of five-year value retention, depreciation by model year, used asking prices, repair costs, MPG and safety data.
At a glance
Key takeaways
Biggest drop
2019→2018
+8.9% in one year
Smart-buy year
2018
~$22,684 median
Depreciation by Model Year
| Model year | Depreciation from MSRP |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 33.8% |
| 2019 | 38.8% |
| 2018 | 47.7% |
| 2017 | 51.3% |
| 2016 | 55.1% |
| 2015 | 60.3% |
Based on 260 real used-car listings. Each listing's price is adjusted to a standard 12,000 mi/year for its age and compared to the vehicle's original MSRP; figures reflect a 5% asking-to-sale estimate.
Resale Value by Age
Estimated value of a typical Lexus ES as it ages, from a ~$39,900 new price.
| Age | Retained | Est. value | Lost that year | Total lost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 yr | 100% | $39,900 | — | −$0 |
| 2 yrs | 99% | $39,327 | −$573 | −$573 |
| 3 yrs | 89% | $35,602 | −$3,725 | −$4,298 |
| 4 yrs | 81% | $32,230 | −$3,372 | −$7,670 |
| 5 yrs | 73% | $29,177 | −$3,053 | −$10,723 |
| 6 yrs | 66% | $26,414 | −$2,763 | −$13,486 |
| 7 yrs | 60% | $23,912 | −$2,502 | −$15,988 |
| 8 yrs | 54% | $21,647 | −$2,265 | −$18,253 |
Interactive tool
What's your ES worth?
Estimate a used ES's value from its year and mileage, using our depreciation model.
Estimated value
$21,650
about typical mileage
At 96,000 miles (about typical for a 8-year-old car, ~96,000 mi). Estimate only — actual value depends on condition, trim, options, and local demand.
Should You Buy a Used Lexus ES?
For used buyers, the Lexus ES is an average bet for resale. The smartest pick is a 2018 (around $22,684) — it sits just past the steepest depreciation, so the first owner already absorbed the biggest loss. Favor the ES 350 Luxury trim for the best resale, and always pull a vehicle-history report before buying.
Pros
- Proven longevity — examples regularly list past 150,000 miles and still sell for around $17,125.
- The ES 350 Luxury trim holds its value best if resale matters to you.
Watch-outs
- The steepest single-year drop hits between 2019 and 2018 — buying brand-new costs you that loss.
What Affects Lexus ES Resale Value
Value falls fastest from the 2019 to the 2018 model year — a 8.9%-point jump in a single year. That makes the 2018 ES a value sweet spot — the previous owner absorbs the worst of the drop, and you still get a relatively recent car.
Not all trims age alike — the ES 350 Luxury retains the most value (~37.5% depreciation) and the ES 350 the least (~48.6%), a gap worth thousands when you resell.
Which Lexus ES Trims Hold Value Best
Share of original MSRP retained, averaged across model years.
ES 350 Luxury
62.5% kept· 18 listings
ES 350 F Sport
61.2% kept· 20 listings
ES 350
51.4% kept· 211 listings
How Long Does the Lexus ES Last?
Mileage profile across 260 listings.
Over 100k mi
25.4%
Over 150k mi
2.3%
Highest mileage
255,625 mi
Price at 120k+ mi
$17,125
Roughly 25.4% of listed Lexus ESs have already crossed 100,000 miles — most on the market are still relatively low-mileage.
Smartest Year to Buy
The 2018 Lexus ES sits just past the steepest depreciation drop, with a typical asking price around $22,684 — about $16,266 off its original MSRP.
View 2018 details →Price & Depreciation by Year
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year to buy a used Lexus ES?
The 2018 ES is the value sweet spot: it sits just past the model's steepest one-year depreciation drop, so the first owner has already absorbed the biggest loss. Expect to pay around $22,684 for a typical example, and the ES 350 Luxury trim will hold its value best from there. As always, a well-maintained, accident-free example with average mileage for its age is worth paying a little more for than a cheap car with a questionable history. Whatever year you settle on, budget for a pre-purchase inspection — at a couple hundred dollars, it's the cheapest insurance against an expensive surprise down the road.
Which Lexus ES trim holds its value best?
The ES 350 Luxury retains the most value, depreciating about 37.5% on average across model years in our data. Trim choice can swing resale by thousands of dollars over a few years, because desirable trims stay in demand on the used market while stripped-down or niche trims sell at a discount. It's also worth comparing the trim premium new versus used — a pricier trim sometimes depreciates enough to become the smarter used buy. If you expect to resell, the ES 350 Luxury is the safer bet; if you're keeping the car long-term, buy the trim with the features you actually want and worry less about resale.
Methodology
Depreciation is computed from 260 real used-car listings. Each listing's asking price is normalized to a standard 12,000 miles per year for the vehicle's age, adjusted by a 5% asking-to-sale estimate, and compared against the original base MSRP for that VIN's trim. Headline 1/3/5-year figures reflect a smoothed retention curve fitted across all model years (the typical trajectory); individual years in the table above can run above or below it with market conditions. Full methodology. Updated August 2026.