Buying a used luxury car is a smart idea if you want more amenities and better quality for less cash. But getting the car you want is not without its challenges. How do you know if you’re getting the best car for your money?

The experts at iSeeCars.com have compiled a list of the best used cars of 2020, sifting through their reliability, safety, and value data. They’ve designated the Lexus ES 350 as the winner and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as the runner-up of the best used luxury car category. Read on to learn more details about each of these cars.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class power options

The runner-up among the best used luxury cars includes a range of executive passenger car configurations including sedan, convertible, coupe, and wagon. According to iSeeCars.com, the 2015 model year of this class of cars is one of the best five-year-old used cars under $30,000. The average used car price for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is $23,650, which we believe to be for models in the lower engine range.

For the 2015 model year, buyers can choose from six engine options in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. All engines are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and come in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive drivetrains.

At the low end of the engine range are the E250 BlueTEC and the E250 BlueTEC 4Matic, which are RWD and AWD respectively. These turbocharged 2.1-liter diesel inline-four engines make 195 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The E350 and E350 4Matic have 3.5-liter V6 engines that deliver 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The E350 4Matic is also available in a wagon. 

New for 2015 is the E400, which is offered in a hybrid and a non-hybrid configuration. The hybrid E400 has a 3.5-liter V6 that’s paired with an electric motor. This combination produces 329 hp. The non-hybrid version has a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that makes 329 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque.

A twin-turbocharged 4.6-liter V8 engine powers the E550. It produces 402 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. Buyers can choose between a coupe or a convertible for this variant.

The E63 AMG 4Matic and E63 AMG S-Model have the most powerful twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engines. They churn out 550 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque for the E63 AMG 4Matic sedan and 577 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque for the E63 AMG S-Model 4Matic sedan and wagon.

Mercedes-Benz luxury features

Considering that the E-Class models are luxury cars, most of them have good-to-great fuel economy. For example, the E250 BlueTEC gets 28/42 MPG city/highway, while the E400 non-hybrid model gets 20/29 MPG city/highway.

All Mercedes-Benz E-Class models have responsive engines, great handling, and comfortable rides. Their interiors are well-designed and furnished with high-quality metallic trim and wood accents. Their standard infotainment system has Bluetooth connectivity, a CD drive, and two USB ports.

NHTSA has given the 2015 E-Class sedan and wagon a four-star overall safety rating out of a possible five stars. IIHS named the E-Class sedan a Top Safety Pick.

The E-Class is durable, according to iSeeCars.com, since it is one of the luxury cars reviewed that has clocked over 200,000 miles. It also holds its value more than the average car in this segment.

Lexus ES 350

According to the iSeeCars.com website, the winner of the best used luxury car category is one of the best five-year-old cars under $30,000. It’s also one of the best three-year-old cars between $20,000 and $30,000. The average used car price for the 2015 Lexus ES 350 is $20,024 and for the 2017 model year it’s $26,984.

Both model years of the Lexus ES 350 have a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. It’s paired with a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. 

The front-wheel drive ES 350 offers a quiet, comfortable ride and responsive acceleration. Its interior is subtly refined with high-end materials, inviting bucket seats, and easy-to-understand instrumentation. Its 40 inches of legroom in the back seat is plentiful, and its cargo space is just as generous. Infotainment features include smartphone connectivity, a premium sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio, MP3 player connectivity, and a USB port.

The primary differences between the 2015 and 2017 models are some tweaks to the exterior design and wheels. Also, a new safety system was added in the 2016 model that consists of several modern passive and active driver-assist features. 

As the folks at iSeeCars.com point out, the ES 350 ranks in the top 10 longest-lasting luxury cars. Its average safety rating from NHTSA is 4.88 stars out of a possible five. And this Lexus model’s 57.0% five-year depreciation rate means that it retains its value better than many luxury cars, some of which have a five-year depreciation rate of 70.0% or more.

The Lexus ES 350 and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class both are reasonably priced, high-value used luxury cars. Whether you prefer a Japanese premium sedan or a German-engineered one, these two are excellent choices if you’re in the market for an affordable but comfortable ride.