Why settle for a basic new midsize sedan when you can get a luxurious alternative for the same price? Shoppers looking to maximize value in today’s used car market can score a premium vehicle that blends comfort, reliability, and refinement, without stretching their budget.
This five-year-old luxury sedan offers a smooth ride, high-quality materials, and a quiet, upscale cabin that rivals much newer cars. It also includes advanced safety features and a proven reputation for durability, making it a smart long-term buy for cost-conscious drivers.
With used prices now comparable to new entry-level sedans, this model delivers more prestige and comfort for the money. It’s the ideal choice for buyers who want a premium experience at a mainstream price.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the J.D. Power, CarEdge, RepairPal, Cars.com, and the EPA.
You Can Get a 2020 Lexus ES For Around $30,000
If you were to enter a Toyota dealership looking for a new Camry, you would have to spend at least $28,700. If, however, you were hoping to get something a little more luxurious, you could hop on the used market and easily finda well-taken-care of Lexus ESinstead. You get a much more upscale experience for around the same price.
$29,798
$29,908
$31,185
$31,381
$31,901
$30,142
Ultra Luxury
$35,166
If you were to have bought a 2020 Lexus ES brand new, you would have spent between $40,000 and $45,000. Lexus' generally hold their value decently well, but older ES models have gotten to the point where they are comparable to a new Camry. To compare, a brand-new Camry will cost you anywhere between $28,700 and $34,900, making every ES trim close in value.
When new, we would have suggested the base model as it comes heavily equipped for the price that you pay. However, the Luxury and F Sport models are so close in price that they’re the much better value trims. If you’re going with the hybrid model, the Ultra Luxury trim definitely makes sense, but gas-powered models still demand a pretty hefty price.
Reliability and Owner Testimonials
Lexus is widely considered to be among the most reliable car brands in the world, with the ES being among their most reliable models. J.D. Power, a site that frequently conducts quality studies, concurs, awarding the 2020 model year of the ES 84 out of 100 for quality and reliability, which is well above average.
Just acquired another preowned Lexus! Excellent car, I’m enjoying it so far. The ES350 is my newest purchase, as I have owned several Lexus models (LX 470, GX 460, GX 470, LS 400, ES250, plus 3 Toyota trucks from the Japanese brand. All were excellent in reliability, solid build, comfort, and styling. Thank you TOYOTA for creating LEXUS.
Cars.com
Owners of the 2020 ES have nothing but good things to say. On Cars.com, owners have awarded the Lexus 4.9 stars out of five for reliability.
Maintenance, Recalls, and Things To Look Out For
Maintenance costs on any Lexus are low, but the ES isparticularly affordable to keep in good order. CarEdge estimates that over ten years, you’ll spend around $4,597 on maintenance for a Toyota Camry, meaning that the plusher Lexus isn’t actually that much more expensive to look after.
There are three recalls that have been issued for the 2020 model year of the ES. One is to do with the occupant detection system, the other to do with the low-pressure fuel pump, and the last relates to engine cooling. Ensure that these have been seen to before you take your ES home. Owners have also reported that some used models can vibrate quite aggressively at high speeds, so ensure that you do your due diligence and go for a proper test drive.
A Modern and Comfortable Cabin Awaits in the 2020 Lexus ES
Being the luxury arm of Toyota, you expect Lexus vehicles to be much more comfortable than their Toyota counterparts. While the Camry can certainly be equipped withsome impressive features, the ES comes standard with a lot more and is built with higher-quality materials throughout.
Cargo Capacity
16.7 Cubic Feet
Compared to other mid-size sedans, the Lexus ES is certainly on the more spacious side. With plenty of legroom in the front and the back, you’re not likely to hear any of your passengers complaining of discomfort. Cargo capacity is also pretty generous, though its important to note that the rear seats don’t fold back.
Though they ride on the same platform, the 2020 ES and the 2020 Camry have very different interior design ideologies. The Lexus is much more refined, with thoughtful touches throughout the cabin. This includes things like an analog clock mounted to the dashboard. There are plenty of upscale features that also give the luxury model a leg up, including standard dual-zone climate control, semi-aniline leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and power-adjustable front seats with a memory function.
Infotainment and Technology
While the 2020 ES may be five years old, it still offers most of the modern technology you’d find in new luxury cars. An eight-inch infotainment screen is standard, but some models come equipped with a 12.3-inch unit instead. Features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa are all standard in this sedan.
There are plenty of other features that help distinguish the Lexus from even the newest Camry. This includes things like ambient interior lighting, a full-color heads-up display, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. A pretty impressive ten-speaker sound system is standard, with some models getting a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system instead.
The 2020 Lexus ES Offers a Comfortable Ride and Impressive Efficiency Figures
While the Lexus ES may fall short of the athleticism offered by other mid-size luxury sedans, no one can complain about how comfortable its ride is. A plush ride has always been one of the main selling points of any Lexus, and the 2020 ES certainly lives up to expectations.
ES 350
ES 300h
302 HP
215 HP
267 LB-FT
163 LB-FT
0-60 MPH
131 MPH
117 MPH
There are two distinct powertrains to choose from when picking which 2020 ES you want to take home. The ES 350 comes with a pretty stoic V-6 whilethe hybrid ES 300h gets a much humbler inline-four. The ES 350 gets a traditional automatic while the hybrid gets a CVT instead. Both models are front-wheel drive only.
While the ES 350 is not exactly a sports sedan, even in F Sport guise, it is perky enough for most and definitely handles with confidence. If you’re more worried about efficiency than going fast, stick with the 300h. Both models offer a superb ride, with the luxury sedan able to absorb any bumps in the road without a complaint.
43 MPG
44 MPG
22 MPG
32 MPG
26 MPG
22 MPGe
31 MPGe
25 MPGe
New Camrys are hybrid-only and achieve up to 51 miles per gallon combined. While the 300h may not quite reach those numbers, it is certainly close. While obviously much less efficient than the hybrid models, the ES 350 delivers fuel economy that is on par with other cars in this class. F Sport models come with larger wheels and stiffer suspension, which results in some losses when it comes to highway driving.
Safety and Driver Assists
While it doesn’t have all the standard features of a modern Lexus, the 2020 ES still comes with a plethora of features that help it keep up with modern rivals. Most collision detection and mitigation features are standard, which is impressive, with things like blind-spot monitoring being optional. Adaptive cruise control is also available on some models.
The NHTSA gives the 2020 ES five stars out of five for safety thanks to its superb crash test results and the IIHS grants the sedan their Top Safety Pick+ award.
