The Toyota Camry is America’s best-selling passenger car, and that’s due to its perfect size and balanced pricing. A 2026 model-year Camry retails for $29,600, but did you know that you can already buy a used luxury alternative for less money? The good news is that there are plenty of reasons why you might want to consider going this route.
Luxury cars have a reputation for having bad resale value, but in the case of this luxury sedan, it has one of the best resale values in the segment. Yet in 2026, a five-year-old example can easily cost less than a brand-new Toyota Camry, while still offering a more luxurious and elevated driving experience. Let’s explore what luxury you can get for the same price as a brand-new Camry.
The Used Luxury Car Market Landscape In 2026
Front 3/4 action shot of 2021 Maserati Ghibli driving on roadMaserati
Depreciation isn’t a good thing for the owner, but for those looking for a bargain, getting a used luxury sedan can be a great idea. Though most luxury sedans depreciate faster than mainstream cars, this trend mostly applies to European models. Here’s why.
European Luxury Sedans Depreciate Faster
A 2023 BMW 7 Series driving through the hillsBMW
European luxury sedans tend to depreciate faster due to the perception that they’re more complex to maintain and less reliable to own long-term. The BMW 7 Series is a perfect example of a luxury sedan that falls under both categories. iSeeCars says that it will already depreciate by as much as 43.3 percent in just three years, or a whopping 50.1 percent if you go for the plug-in hybrid versions. The glitz and glamor of its optional 31.3-inch Theater Screen and motorized doors may add a lot of novelty, but as I often say in many of my articles, complexity is the enemy of reliability. Good luck when those motorized luxury features break in the future.
Then there are brands that are simply known for unreliability, period. The Italian brands like Maserati and Alfa Romeo are known for their highly emotional and evocative models, but they fall significantly short where reliability is concerned. CarEdge puts these two brands at the absolute bottom of the rankings when it comes to resale value, whether it’s three years or beyond. Leasing, therefore, has become a popular alternative for customers of these luxury models.
Japanese Models Depreciate The Slowest
Front 3/4 of 2020 Lexus GX 460 parked in a hillLexus
On the other hand, the Japanese luxury brands have the slowest depreciation. CarEdge puts Lexus on top, while Acura is in fourth, which means that two out of the top five spots are Japanese luxury brands. The Japanese brands tend to be a lot more conservative when it comes to features and engineering, but that’s also why their luxury models are a lot more reliable. Such is the case for numerous Lexus models, whose powertrains and platforms are shared with mainstream Toyota models, which, in turn, are already known and tested with durability in mind.
Falling somewhere in the middle of the used luxury brand spectrum is the Koreans with Genesis. Genesis is Hyundai Motor Group’s (HMG) luxury brand, and unsurprisingly, with Hyundai and Kia sitting in the middle of the overall industry when it comes to resale, the same has applied to the Genesis brand. With these factors in mind, what’s the used luxury sedan that’s worth considering since it’s now cheaper than a brand-new Toyota Camry?
Consider A Five-Year-Old Lexus ES
2020 Lexus ES 300h front 3/4 shotLexus
Did you know that for slightly less than a brand-new Toyota Camry, you can already get a five-year-old Lexus ES? Yes, the Camry’s luxury sibling can be yours, depending on the model’s condition and the variant you choose.
Average Five-Year Resale Of Around $27,000
2020 Lexus ES 300h side shotLexus
Three versions of the Lexus ES exist, and these are the ES 250 AWD, the ES 300h, and the ES 350. According to iSeeCars, the ES 250 AWD depreciates by an average of 38 percent, with an average resale value of $26,134. Meanwhile, the ES 300h has an average depreciation of 39.6 percent, or an average resale value of $26,309. Lastly, the ES 350 is the most desirable of the three, depreciating the slowest at an average of 35.8 percent, which translates to an average resale value of $27,053.
For reference, a 2026 Toyota Camry starts at $29,600, and though the ES you’ll be getting may be slightly worn out in some places, the overall condition of this car will still be great. iSeeCars states that the ES 350 and ES 250 AWD have an average lifespan of 12.1 years or 140,603 miles, while the hybrid ES 300h has an even longer average lifespan of 14.7 years or 163,586 miles. Besides, being a Lexus, that’s only the average figure. It’s easy to find a high-mileage ES, which is a testament to how long these things last.
Proven Internals For Hassle-Free Ownership
2020 Lexus ES 300h engineLexus
A five-year-old Lexus ES means a 2021 model year vehicle, and for the hybrid version, this means a more energy-dense lithium-ion battery that finally replaces the previous nickel metal hydride (NiMH) unit. The ES also uses an older fourth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS IV) shared with the previous Camry. Though not the latest hybrid system, it’s already a proven one with plenty of spare parts. Don’t even fret about the battery, because the 2021 model year ES 300h already comes with a longer 10-year warranty.
As for the non-hybrid models, the ES 250 AWD has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder and an all-wheel drive (AWD) system. This is the variant you go for if you want AWD in your ES. In my opinion, unless AWD is important to you, the ES 250 AWD is the least desirable version. Perhaps the most desirable ES version is the ES 350, solely because it is the final ES generation to still feature a 3.5-liter V-6. Both pure ICE drivetrains are extremely robust and durable. And if it does experience a problem, parts are very common.
What A 2021 Lexus ES Offers
Exterior profile of the 2020 Lexus ESLexus
If you’ve reached this far into the article, you’re probably already considering owning a 2021 Lexus ES. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know about this specific model year.
Final Year Before Its Facelift
2020 Lexus ES 300h rear 3/4 shotLexus
The 2021 model year was the final year of the ES before this generation got a mid-cycle facelift. This is also the model year where a limited edition Black Line variant was released. The Black Line version builds upon the ES 350 F Sport, and it adds black mirrors, a black spoiler, and dark 19-inch wheels. This was also the model year when the ES 250 AWD was introduced, along with the addition of more standard safety features such as blind spot warning.
This generation of the Lexus ES is, I would argue, one of the outright best in terms of interior quality. The leather used on the doors, dash, and seats is some of the finest, and that’s also the case if you opt for the lower variants with the NuLuxe synthetic leather. During this era, the ES still utilized the non-touchscreen version of the Lexus Remote Touch interface, which meant that its eight-inch or available 12.3-inch screen was controlled through the controversial touchpad on the center console. Of course, the interior of the ES is highly customizable, but only as you go up the trim ladder. Regardless, the ES offers plenty of standard features, whichever variant you choose.
A Sumptuous Driving Experience
Interior shot of the dashbaord in a 2022 Lexus ESLexusCutaway shot of a 2022 Lexus ES 300h showing cabin seatingLexus
With three versions of the Lexus ES available, you’ll be happy to know that one common trait across the three trims is that they offer a high degree of comfort and refinement. This is also the generation of the ES where handling was starting to become a priority. Though still not a sports sedan, it was more dynamic to drive than older generations. Additionally, the suspension’s slight bias toward better handling also has another upside—better body control. The ride is no longer wallowy, with the vehicle feeling stable and planted, even over uneven roads.
I was able to review the ES 350, and I have to admit, this is the version I really prefer. The 3.5-liter V-6 sounds nice, and it offers linear power that is delivered smoothly. I’m more concerned about the ES 250 AWD, because this 2.5-liter four-cylinder wasn’t my favorite in the Camry. They are different but related vehicles; however, I’m willing to bet that the ES 250 AWD would be the slowest of the three versions. The ES 300h, however, adds a significant dose of efficiency, and its hybrid drivetrain suits it well, especially if you’ll mostly be cruising in town or the city. The electric motor simply augments the refinement of the ES.
Base Trim Engine
2.5L Inline-4 Gas
Base Trim Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Base Trim Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Base Trim Horsepower
203 hp
Base Trim Torque
184 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Fuel Economy
22/32 MPG
Make
Lexus
Model
ES
Segment
Midsize Luxury Sedan
Infotainment & Features
7 /10
Sources: Lexus, KBB, RepairPal, iSeeCars
