If you’re looking for a bargain luxury executive car, you’ll have to look for used ones if your budget is $30,000. Luxury executive cars are expensive when new, but a used one could be a good value, especially when you know what model to look for.
But not all luxury cars age equally. Some are so complex that the next owner will probably fear the costs that are about to come, and this also results in rapid depreciation. Then there are luxury executive cars that are mechanically simple and have well-crafted interiors, so they still feel new even after years of ownership. It is also these luxury executive cars that have high residual values.
Take A Look At The Lexus ES
The luxury executive car that still feels brand new under $30,000 is the Lexus ES. Whether you go for the hybrid, the 2.5-liter with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, or the 3.5-liter V-6, all three versions of the ES age gracefully in terms of their mechanical and interior finesse.
An Interior That’s Timeless
A luxury executive car should feel special every time you take it out for a drive, and the Lexus ES delivers exactly that experience time and time again. The ES was created at a time when Lexus was at its best in terms of interior quality, as it implemented many Japanese techniques for a truly crafted interior. One of those is the use of Hadori aluminum trim, wherein this metal piece was inspired by Japanese sword-making techniques.
There are also plenty of stitching details that were made mostly by hand, yet they are so straight that they resemble a machine-woven finish. Depending on the version you pick, you also get a mix of wood or suede and just the right amount of piano black trims, the latter being relegated away from the high touchpoints. As a result, the liberal use of matte textures and materials means that the interior of the ES ages better than the piano black monstrosities that a lot of its German luxury rivals have resorted to. Ditto the physical controls, which also have a textured matte finish that is a pleasure to use.
Robust Mechanicals
Just as robust as the interior is its mechanicals, because that is the major reason why the Lexus ES commands high resale values. Sure, the Germans may have more sophisticated and, in many cases, more thrilling and refined drivetrains, but the mechanicals tend to be more complex than necessary. Heck, the Lexus ES shares most of its drivetrain components with a Toyota Camry of the same generation, such as the fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS IV), the 2.5-liter Dynamic Force four-cylinder, and the 3.5-liter V-6.
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ES 300h |
ES 350 |
ES 250 AWD |
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|
Average Life Span (Years) |
14.7 years |
12.9 years |
12.9 years |
|
Average Life Span (Mileage) |
164,432 miles |
148,274 miles |
148,274 miles |
|
Probability Of Reaching 200K Miles |
26% |
20.3% |
20.3% |
Whichever version you choose, all ES models are bulletproof and reliable. Especially if you’re going to look at three-year-old models, you can expect the ES to still serve you for another 10 years or even way beyond that. According to iSeeCars‘ reliability data, the hybrid ES 300h is the most reliable of the three versions, with an average life span of 14.7 years or 164,432 miles, and a 26 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles. At a pretty much equal level is the V-6 ES 350 and the four-cylinder ES 250 AWD, which have an average lifespan of 12.9 years or 148,274 miles, and a 20.3 percent chance of reaching 200,000 miles.
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How Much A Used Lexus ES Costs
As mentioned, a used Lexus ES holds its value better than its German counterparts, but you can easily get one for under $30,000, depending on the variant, age, and condition.
The Hybrid Has The Highest Market Value
Among the three versions of the Lexus ES, the ES 300h hybrid has the highest market value of the three versions, according to resale value data from iSeeCars. Following very closely behind is the ES 350, whose V-6 powertrain is one of the model’s assets. That’s because the 3.5-liter V-6 is going to be discontinued in favor of two pure electric versions. The version with the lowest market value is the ES 250 AWD, which was only created in late 2020 in response to increasing demand for AWD sedans at the time. This is why there is no resale value data for an ES 250 beyond four years old. Remember that these are market values, but they don’t necessarily reflect which of the three versions depreciates the least. More on this part later.
Lexus ES Models Used Price By Age
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ES 300h |
ES 350 |
ES 250 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 year old |
$45,445 |
$44,388 |
$38,948 |
|
2 years old |
$42,214 |
$41,466 |
$34,908 |
|
3 years old |
$38,492 |
$38,243 |
$31,891 |
|
4 years old |
$34,371 |
$35,197 |
$29,342 |
|
5 years old |
$31,444 |
$31,632 |
N/A |
|
6 years old |
$29,799 |
$29,673 |
N/A |
Outside the AWD system, the 2.5-liter ES 250 is the most tepid of the three versions. The ES 300h is perhaps the most refined and also the most efficient, while the most potent is the ES 350. The ES 350 and its smooth V-6 engine offer compelling performance, though there’s a fuel economy penalty for that power.
How The Germans Fare
If you’re considering the German rivals, the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Audi A6, these three rivals depreciate faster. Price-wise, their values may be higher because their vehicles have a higher price spread and also a higher selling price when new. But you lose more value with the German trio versus the Lexus ES. Comparing five-year resale values, the 5 Series depreciates by 55.9 percent, the E-Class depreciates by 52.3 percent, and the A6 by 55.6 percent. When looking at the plug-in hybrid versions of the 5 Series and E-Class, they depreciate even more rapidly. The 5 Series plug-in hybrid loses as much as 59.2 percent, while the E-Class plug-in hybrid loses 55.6 percent.
Luxury Sedan Five-Year Depreciation
|
5 Series |
5 Series PHEV |
E-Class |
E-Class PHEV |
A6 |
ES 300h |
ES 350 |
ES 250 AWD |
|
|
Five-Year Depreciation ($) |
$33,487 |
$44,254 |
$33,424 |
$49,786 |
$35,613 |
$17,231 |
$15,087 |
$16,006 |
|
Five-Year Depreciation (%) |
55.9% |
59.2% |
52.3% |
55.6% |
55.6% |
39.6% |
35.8% |
38% |
|
Five-Year Resale Value ($) |
$26,413 |
$30,546 |
$30,475 |
$39,813 |
$28,487 |
$26,309 |
$27,053 |
$26,134 |
|
Midsize Luxury Sedan Average (%) |
46.4% |
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This means that the three German models fare poorly compared to the ES, which depreciates at most by 39.6 percent for the ES 300h. Yes, while the ES 300h has the highest market value, it actually depreciates the most among the three ES versions. Following closely is the ES 250 AWD, which depreciates by 38 percent in five years, while the model that depreciates the least is the ES 350 at 35.8 percent. It seems that there are a lot of fans of the ES 350’s V-6 drivetrain.
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What Else The Lexus ES Offers
The Lexus ES we’re focusing on is the outgoing generation, which had a production run from 2018 to 2025. A new generation is about to hit dealers soon, but there’s still plenty to like about the outgoing generation.
Stylish And Distinctive
Matching the well-executed interior is an exterior that looks distinct, though one that probably doesn’t stand out due to the sheer popularity of this model. The Lexus ES has a rakish design with plenty of interesting details, from the intricately styled Spindle Grille, to the tasteful quality of the paint itself. LED headlights with striking LED daytime running lights give the ES a unique lighting signature, while this is complemented by L-shaped LED taillights. If you want something sporty, there’s an F Sport version in two versions. If you simply want its looks, there’s the F Sport Design, while those who want the improved ride and handling of adaptive dampers should go for the F Sport Handling.
Comfortable And Competent
The ES 350 easily fulfills its core mission of delivering opulent comfort. The suspension is supple yet offers a stable ride, which means that the soft suspension keeps the body composed, even in the most wavy of undulations. The V-6 is also creamy smooth, plus it sounds nice when pushed hard. The eight-speed auto box is also smooth, yet responsive enough when you need it to. Outside noise is well isolated, too, though the German competitors are slightly quieter and more stable during high-speed drives.
Lexus ES Performance Specs
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Engine |
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Layout |
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Horsepower |
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Torque |
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Transmission |
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0-60 mph |
As for handling, while it isn’t as dynamically capable as any of its German rivals, it is reasonably athletic. The steering is well-weighted, but doesn’t offer a lot of feedback from the wheels. At least it is reasonably precise, so you know where to point the vehicle as you navigate through corners. Likewise, the suspension’s core mission of delivering comfort means there’s a touch more body roll here versus the Germans—particularly the BMW 5 Series, but once again, the suspension tuning offers just enough dynamism for the ES to remain composed even in corners.