No matter what Lexus does they seem to be winning the hearts of their customers. Not only that, but they have also bagged almost every prestigious award that can be won by a premium segment brand. Lexus has been claiming the top spot in J.D. Power’s, U.S vehicle dependability survey for the past 8 years.
So, are Lexus reliable as they claim. Or these ratings and rankings are just marketing gimmicks. In this article, we will cover all there is to be known regarding the reliability of Lexus cars.
Are Lexus Reliable?
Lexus is the most talked-about brand when it comes to producing reliable luxury cars. All popular surveys and studies put Lexus in the category of most reliable brands. The performance of Lexus on the reliability index is amazing. It competed against economy and luxury segment brands and came 6 out of 40 brands.
The problems frequency of Lexus cars is 103 problems per 100 vehicles. This is 33 points above the industrial average of 143 problems per 100 vehicles. This stands testament to the reliability of Lexus. They have cheaper parts and maintenance costs. Which makes them the most desirable cars in the premium segment.
Also read: Lexus vs BMW: Here’s What’s Better for You
Do Lexus Last Long?
Coming from the family of Toyotas you can be sure that Lexus are designed to last longer. Lexus IS has been reported to reach the 300,000 miles marker as well. However, the average life span of a normal Lexus car is around 250,000 miles.
This is by far a better life expectancy if you compare it to some of the German and American luxury brands. The likes of Mercedes, BMW, and Cadillac offer no more than 150,000 miles. Japanese cars offer higher mileage in comparison to all other makes.
Do Lexus Tend to Rust?
Lexus cars don’t have any rust issues in general. Most of its models have completely galvanized parts, which makes them less prone to corrosion. Even in a humid environment like near oceans, Lexus tends to perform remarkably well. Despite the inherent rusting issues of Japanese cars, Lexus have an exceptional protective coating.
In fact, Lexus LS has been ranked among the cars that never rust and provide a long-lasting exterior. Some minor issues with other models have been reported, but if a comparison is drawn between other brands and Lexus, its corrosion resistance has been way better.
Trending Video: How to Easily Bring Back to Life any Old Car Battery and Save Tons of Money (click to watch)
Are Lexus Expensive to Fix?
Luckily the fixing of Lexus isn’t that expensive affair. The main reason behind this is the strong dealership network of Toyota all around the world. You can easily find parts and mechanics for your Lexus there. The average annual fixing cost of Lexus is around $200. Mind you that this is exclusive of parts prices.
Obviously, the repair of Lexus is not as cheap as an economy sector brand. But in comparison to other luxury brands like Audi, BMW, and Volvo. Their fixing cost is affordable. Moreover, the problem frequency is also lower. So, if you have to visit the mechanic, it is mostly for scheduled maintenance only.
Also read: Why is Lexus Expensive Though it’s Made by Toyota?
Are Lexus Comfortable?
If there is one thing that is given prime importance in any luxury segment car is its comfort. Lexus is no different. They ensure a smooth and comfortable ride. Lexus NX has scored the highest rating of 9.3 on the comfort index. Driving of Lexus cars is a highly relaxing experience.
There is always a trade-off between the comfort and stability of a car. If the suspension is made stiff, the handling gets better, but comfort is compromised. Lexus has optimized these two factors considerably well.
What are the Most Common Problems with Lexus?
Lexus don’t encounter a lot of problems. They are the most reliable cars in the luxury segment. But every car has some known faults. In this section, we will take a look at the most common problems with Lexus:
- Water pump failure at 51,000 miles.
- Fuel tank leakage due to defective welding.
- Ignition coil failure after 100,000 miles.
- Power steering rack leaks at 95,000 miles.
- Engine warning lights due to the failed O2 sensor.
Are Lexus Safe?
Lexus vehicles have scored decently in safety ratings and crash testing. Lexus NX has been the top safety pick by IIHS for every year since 2015 except 2018. Lexus are equipped with standard and advanced safety features like blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert with automatic braking.
Safety is the prime concern of all luxury segment buyers. Lexus ensures that it stays up to date on the matter of safety and based on user’s reviews it keeps upgrading its safety features. The reinforced chassis design of Lexus ensures safety during high-speed impacts.
Also read: Are Japanese Cars Good? Best in the World?
Is the Quality of Elements in Lexus Good?
The quality of elements in Lexus cars is really good. Their build quality is superior to its counterparts. In general, they are top-quality cars that are built to stand the test of time. Lexus are dependable, comfortable, and efficient cars. This all is made possible just due to the superior build quality.
Do Lexus Depreciate Fast?
Lexus have the best resale value among all luxury brands. They can hold up to 56% of their value after 5 years of operation. This is even better than some of the economy sector brands. The reason behind it is the long lifespan of Lexus and low problem frequency.
People will not hesitate to buy a Lexus that is driven near to 100,000 miles if it is well-maintained. It is because Lexus will still have more than 50% of useful life intact. Timely maintenance of any car is the key to higher resale value, and Lexus is no different in this regard.
Does Lexus Offer Good Engines?
Yes, Lexus engines are particularly reliable. They might not be the highest-performing engines, but they are definitely the least problematic ones. Lexus has given the new definition to reliability in Luxury segment cars. Without compromising on reliability, it has managed to produce powerful engines. Some of which are:
- 1LR-GUE 4.8L V10 – 552 horsepower
- 2UR-GSE 5.0L V8 – 476 horsepower
- 2GR-FSE V6 – 400 horsepower
- 2JZ-GE 3.0L I-6 – 240 horsepower
Are Lexus Expensive to Maintain?
Among luxury segment brands, Lexus are the cheapest to maintain. On average, it only cost $551 to maintain a Lexus per year. With this cost, it gives tough competition to economy sector brands as well. During the early years, maintenance cost is on the lower side of this average as compared to later years.
The first 100,000 miles of the car are smooth and problem-free. Once you cross the 100,000 miles, you would notice that it requires thorough maintenance. Moreover, the degree of problems becomes more and more severe.
Are Lexus Expensive to Insure?
It is slightly expensive to insure Lexus cars. The main reason behind this is the tax structure of most countries. Which makes insurance of imported cars costlier. The average insurance cost for a Lexus is $2,162 per year.
Though this is expensive in comparison to other Japanese brands, it is way below the insurance cost of German brands like Audi and BMW. For example, the average annual insurance cost of a BMW is $3,456. Similarly, a typical Audi insurance policy will cost $2,534 per year.
Also read: What’s A High Mileage for A Lexus? The Facts!
Are Lexus too Expensive to Buy?
Lexus is known for making luxury segment vehicles. One thing you can safely assume about all luxury brands is that their cars aren’t cheap. Yet, the average purchase cost of a Lexus is below $45,000. Lexus are offered in a broad spectrum of prices.
Following is the list of Lexus cars, ranked in order of cheapest to most expensive models.
- Lexus UX – $34,025
- Lexus NX – $38,635
- Lexus IS – $40,075
- Lexus ES – $41,845
- Lexus RC – $43,245
- Lexus RX – $46,345
- Lexus GX- $56,450
- Lexus LS – $77,025
- Lexus LX – $88,225
- Lexus LC – $94,075
Also read: Why is Lexus Expensive Though it’s Made by Toyota?
What are the Most and Least Reliable Lexus?
Lexus is overall a reliable brand. Some of the most reliable cars produced under it are Lexus IS & Lexus GS. However, there were some other cars like Lexus RX & LS which were good but didn’t match the reliability scales.
Most reliable Lexus
Following are the most reliable models of Lexus.
- Lexus IS:
IS became an advertisement for the reliability of Lexus cars. It had the least number of reported problems. IS came with an impressive 2.0L engine capable of producing 311 horsepower. And with that, it gave a mileage of 31 MPG. Making it one of the best cars manufactured by Lexus. IS received a reliability rating of over 99%.
- Lexus GS:
Lexus GS was known to have bold & gorgeous looks. Not only that, but users were impressed by its low maintenance and insurance cost. Lexus GS was designed to be a classic sedan that provided the highest levels of comfort. Due to this, the car became an instant hit with Lexus users.
Least Reliable Lexus
Following are the least reliable models of Lexus.
- Lexus RX:
Across all forums, RX is rated as the least reliable car produced under the banner of Lexus. This car had multiple problems, including massive oil leaks and loss of oil pressure. Its AC also stopped working at times due to failed amplifier. Overall, this car wasn’t received well by Lexus customers.
- Lexus LS:
Lexus LS had the worst owner satisfaction ratings. Less than 50% of owners said that they would buy this car again. Though it was a good car previously but redesigned 5th generation didn’t enjoy the same reliability as previous models.
What are the Best Lexus Alternatives?
The best alternative for Lexus would be cars from other Japanese brands like Acura and Infiniti. Infiniti Q50 or Acura ILX would best cater to the needs of Lexus users.
Lexus owners are used to their reliability. Though, German brands produce some of the most exquisite cars in the luxury segment. But due to their low reliability score, they would not make suitable alternatives for Lexus.
- Infiniti Q50:
Infiniti Q50 is the most popular and reliable car in its segment. Key features of this car were its sturdy handling and unmatched performance. Q50 had lower maintenance and insurance costs making it the most viable substitute for Lexus.
- Acura ILX:
If you’re looking for a smooth and agile car that matches the reliability levels of Lexus as well. Then Acura ILX is the way to go. It has a 4-cylinder engine mated to 8-speed auto transmission. ILX comes with an impressive combined mileage of 35 MPG.
References:
driving.ca, copilotsearch.com, motor1.com, clublexus.com, heycar.co.uk, caranddriver.com, motortrend.com, lexusofsarasota.com, caredge.com, motorbiscuit.com, car-recalls.eu, repairpal.com, truecar.com, thezebra.com, valuepenguin.com, hotcars.com
