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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 5 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | Sedan |
| Base Price | $32,292–$37,500 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2016 Lexus ES is a sedan that earns a Carivo score of 7.9/10 — rated Recommended. Its strongest dimension is Safety at 8.6/10, while Reliability at 7.2/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a solid all-rounder that delivers across most dimensions without obvious deal-breakers.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. The reliability picture is solid rather than spectacular: 7.2/10, which puts it comfortably above the class median. On safety, it scores 8.6/10 in our assessment. Always confirm the official crash-test results for your exact trim at nhtsa.gov/ratings.
With 7.8/10 for performance, this is a car tuned for daily driving rather than excitement — perfectly capable on the commute, unremarkable on a back road. At 7.9/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $32,292–$37,500, 22 MPG, seating 5, the Lexus ES sits in the mid-market bracket of the sedan segment. Its value score of 8.5/10 confirms that the price reflects the quality — you're getting a lot for your money here. At 10 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: Nothing about the 2016 Lexus ES will scare a sensible buyer off. It scores consistently across the board, and it does what a good sedan should — quietly and competently.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2016 Lexus ES ranks #272 of 1310 sedans in the Carivo database — better than 79% of the segment. Its 7.9/10 overall score is 0.4 points above the segment average of 7.5/10. Its $32,292 starting price is about 17% above the segment's median of $27,664.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full Sedan ranking → · Best Sedans under $35k →
Across the ES model years we've scored, the 2016 holds its position — we didn't find an older year that delivers similar scores for meaningfully less money.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8.4/10 | $43,764 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 8.3/10 | $42,490 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 8.3/10 | $41,215 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 8.1/10 | $39,940 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 8.1/10 | $38,665 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 8.1/10 | $37,391 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 8.1/10 | $36,116 | Read review → |
| 2018 | 7.9/10 | $34,841 | Read review → |
| 2017 | 7.9/10 | $33,567 | Read review → |
| 2016 (this review) | 7.9/10 | $32,292 | |
| 2015 | 7.8/10 | $31,017 | Read review → |
| 2014 | 7.4/10 | $26,600 | Read review → |
We rate the 2016 Lexus ES's reliability 7.2/10 — above the middle of the pack for this class.
It scores 7.9/10 overall, ranking #272 of 1310 sedans in our database (better than 79% of the segment). A solid choice for most buyers — compare it against the segment leaders before deciding.
The 2016 Lexus ES starts at $32,292 and ranges up to $37,500 across trims (MSRP when new). At 22 MPG, expect roughly $2,386/year in fuel at 15,000 miles/year.
Explore the full lineup of Lexus models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.