The 2018 Lexus ES lasts around 300,000 miles with relatively minor oil consumption and window motor issues reported. At $27,050 to $32,965, it’s expensive, but worth the money for the most reliable midsize luxury sedan on the market.
Is the 2018 Lexus ES a Good Used Car?
- Overall Rating 9/10 – 2018 is a great year for the Lexus ES since it has outstanding reliability ratings paired with an upscale interior. Owner reviews praise the low ownership costs, smooth suspension, along with the comfortable cabin.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 9/10 – Interior materials are high-quality for a midsize sedan, the seats are comfortable on long drives, cargo space is also very good.
- Reliability 10/10 – There are no mechanical problems reported on the 2018 Lexus ES. Models from 2010–2022 are all among the most reliable midsize sedans on the market.
- Performance 7/10 – Performance is okay from the standard V6 engine, although it’s not as sporty as many of the German competitors.
- Safety 9/10 – The 2018 Lexus ES is safe, earning a perfect 5-star rating in government crash tests. It comes standard with automatic braking along with adaptive cruise control. Optional upgrades include parking sensors as well as blind spot monitoring.
- Gas Mileage 7/10 – Fuel economy is okay at up to 24 MPG, giving 412 miles of range out of the 17.2 gallon tank. Gas costs are $9 higher than average at $207 per month.
- Value 9/10 – The 2018 Lexus ES is cheaper than many other midsize luxury cars with lower maintenance costs, making it a great long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Lexus ES?
- Consumer Reports says the 2018 Lexus ES offers a downright pampering interior, with extremely high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the 2018 ES at 4.5/5, enjoying the extremely quiet cabin, but finds the navigation controller distracting to use.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Lexus ES a 4.6/5, praising the outstanding long-term reliability as it ages, but owners don’t like the boring driving experience.
What Common Problems Does the 2018 Lexus ES Have?
Common problems found on the 2018 Lexus ES include issues with the power windows, excessive oil consumption, along with some windshield wiper motor failures. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other luxury cars on the market, with lower repair costs.
Issues with the power windows are the most widespread complaint on the 2018 Lexus ES, showing up at around 60,000 miles. The window regulators and motors tend to wear out quickly compared to on some other cars. Replacing the regulator costs around $300, while a new motor is roughly $250.
Excessive oil consumption is another problem mentioned by 2018 Lexus ES owners in the first 10,000 miles. In general, Toyota and Lexus engines consume more oil than other cars as a way of protecting the moving components. Usually, the consumption is completely normal and we just recommend checking the oil regularly and topping it off as needed.
Windshield wiper motor failures have also been reported by Lexus ES owners at around 70,000 miles. The only way to fix the issue is by replacing the entire windshield wiper motor setup, which costs around $600, depending on local labor rates.
There are two recalls on the 2018 Lexus ES, which is better than other luxury cars. Both of the recalls are for the fuel pump, which may fail. Lexus will replace the fuel pump in affected models for free.
How Long Will the 2018 Lexus ES Last?
A well-maintained 2018 Lexus ES can last around 300,000 miles, which is much longer than other luxury sedans like the Audi A6. Regular annual maintenance costs are much lower than the competition, according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $460 per year.
As a used 2018 Lexus ES reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the starter relay for $135, the brake light switch costing $175, along with the transmission oil pan gasket which costs $280.
It is reliable, I never had any issues with this car. Once I had a problem with the heel, flat wheel, and the customer service was very quick and professional.
Low tire pressure but dealer fixed it. Tire pressure is changed on the temperature. No other problem.
How Is the Technology?
Standard entertainment technology is great, offering a relatively large 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity.. Optional upgrades include a navigation system along with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system.
There are a lot of standard advanced safety features such as:
- Rearview camera
- Automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keep assist
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Lane departure warning
Optional driver assistance features include:
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Rear cross traffic alert
- Blind spot monitoring
Is the 2018 Lexus ES a Good Value?
Yes, the 2018 Lexus ES is a good value since it offers a lot of luxury features paired with outstanding reliability for a car in its price range. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $27,050 to $32,965, making it less than a BMW 5 Series or Mercedes-Benz E-Class. When new, the price range was $38,950 to $45,460. Depreciation is better than other luxury cars, only losing about 6% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Lexus ES?
There’s only one model of the Lexus ES offered, with various options packages available. The ES comes standard with front-wheel drive on all models.
Standard Features on the 2018 Lexus ES:
- 17-inch wheels
- LED headlights (low-beam setting only)
- Automatic wipers
- Sunroof
- Keyless ignition and entry
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Power-adjustable front seats
- Simulated leather upholstery
- Auto-dimming rearview mirror
- Display audio interface with 8-inch touchscreen and multipurpose control knob
- Bluetooth and Scout GPS Link (smartphone navigation)
- USB port and eight-speaker sound system with CD player and satellite radio
- Rearview camera and Safety Connect emergency communications
- Forward collision warning and mitigation system
- Adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and a lane departure warning and intervention system.
Optional Features and Packages for the 2018 Lexus ES:
- Premier package: Driver-seat memory settings, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, wood trim, and heated and ventilated front seats.
- Luxury package: Includes all Premier package features plus leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel.
- Ultra Luxury package: Includes all Premier and Luxury package features plus a panoramic sunroof, manual rear door sunshades, ambient interior lighting, a power driver’s seat cushion extender and passenger-seat memory functions.
- Navigation system
- 15-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
- Power rear window sunshade
- Wood steering wheel (with optional heating)
- Bi-LED headlights
- Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Power-opening trunk.
What Engines Come In the Lexus ES?
The 2018 Lexus ES comes with a single engine option, which is a 3.5-liter V6. This engine is capable of generating 268 horsepower, at up to 24 MPG. The V6 engine is paired with a smooth-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission that provides quick, seamless gear changes. Regarding acceleration, the 2018 Lexus ES delivers a 0-60 mph time of 7.1 seconds. While not the quickest in its class, the ES still offers a smooth and confident acceleration that should satisfy most drivers.
What Colors Does the Lexus ES Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Lexus ES?
The 2018 Lexus ES is renowned for its top-tier comfort and luxurious amenities. This midsize luxury sedan provides a serene and comfortable ride, making it an excellent choice for both short commutes and long-distance trips. The ES comes standard with a set of comfortable and supportive front seats, which are accommodating to passengers of varying heights. They offer enough headroom and legroom for adults to sit comfortably, even on long journeys.
The optional power-adjustable seats and steering wheel allow you to fine-tune your seating position, further enhancing overall comfort. Rear passengers are also well catered for, with ample space and plush upholstery.
The ride quality is smooth and composed, thanks to the finely-tuned suspension that does a great job of absorbing road imperfections. Noise insulation is another strength of the ES, as it keeps wind and road noise to a minimum, providing a quiet, peaceful cabin environment.
How Much Storage Space Does the Lexus ES Have?
The 2018 Lexus ES is a comfortable and spacious sedan that offers a generous amount of storage space. It provides 15.2 cubic feet of trunk space, which is quite ample for a luxury midsize car. This is ample room for several large suitcases, or a substantial grocery haul. For example, you can comfortably fit four full-size suitcases, or if you’re heading out for a round of golf, a couple of golf bags can be easily accommodated.
Alternatively, if you’re planning a trip to a home improvement store, you can fit several bags of mulch or other similarly sized items. Additionally, the back seat has a pass-through, which makes it possible to carry longer items such as skis or surfboards. Despite its elegant and compact exterior, the 2018 Lexus ES does not compromise on storage space, providing plenty of room for your everyday needs or special journeys.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The sixth generation of the Lexus ES launched for the 2013 model year.
2015: Improved leather upholstery and standard touchscreen, more technology features on the upgraded stereo too.
2016: More sound-deadening material throughout the cabin, Bi-LED headlights, and an upgraded safety system.
2017: New stereo system with updated graphics, and the Lexus Safety System+.
2018: No major updates.
2019: Fully redesigned for the seventh generation with an upgraded V6 engine, more technology features, and F Sport model.
2020: No changes from earlier years.
2021: Minor changes to the options packages, and Black Line Special Edition launched.
How Does the Lexus ES Compare to the Competition?
The 2018 Lexus ES is a fantastic midsize luxury sedan, offering better reliability than the competition paired with a lot of advanced safety technology, making it a great choice for shoppers.
The Lexus GS is another sedan offered by Lexus, which costs around $4,000 more. Performance and handling are better in the Lexus GS, while the Lexus ES offers more advanced technology features. We recommend the Lexus ES for most people since it’s a more up-to-date platform.
The Infiniti Q50 is a luxury sedan which is available for roughly $3,500 less. There are more powerful engine choices available on the Infiniti Q50, while the Lexus ES has better long-term reliability ratings. We recommend the Lexus ES since it offers a lot more luxury, and better features for the money.
Do Owners Recommend the Lexus ES?
Yes, it is a good vehicle. Very resistant, comfortable, classy and the customer service is just perfect!
Yes, I like soft cornering, quite engine and smooth running. Easy ignition and key control. . Easy navi and music control thru bt.
