Top 3 Best Lexus Under 25k (with Photos)

Japan is one of the countries known for producing great automobiles. According to Investopedia, it is the third-largest producer of Automobiles in the world, manufacturing around 9.3 million automobiles in 2019.

Lexus is the luxury division of Japan’s leading car manufacturer, Toyota. The journey of Lexus began in 1983, as a corporate project to build premium sedan cars. To date, it has produced thousands of cars.

Since Lexus is a premium luxury brand, its cars are quite expensive. But, if you are looking for an affordable used Lexus car under 25k. Then, you can buy a used one. In this article, I have listed the three best Lexus cars under 25k.

1. 2012 Lexus RX 350

Price: The first Lexus car on our list is a midsize luxury SUV, Lexus RX 350. Its 2012 model is under $25k. According to Edmunds, you can buy it anywhere between $17-22k.

Overview: The sloping roofline and more sharp body lines distinguish the RX 350. It has a sleek design and large shoulders. With seating for five people, it is a good choice for a family car. All the reviewers who have used this SUV say that both rows are comfortable for seating. There is ample head and legroom space, in both the front and rear row, along with an adjustability feature in front seats.

Engine Specs: Lexus RX 350 comes 3.5 L V6 engine, whose output is 270 hp and 248 lb-ft torque. It comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission system. A hybrid power train is also available. The top speed of this car is 124 mph. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 8 seconds.

Fuel Economy: With this engine, RX 350 can give up to 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.

Reliability: Speaking of its reliability, the American Analytics company, JD Power has ranked Lexus RX350 as the top midsize premium SUV. Its reliability score is 89 out of 100. As par Car Parts, Lexus is brought for maintenance or repair 0.4 times a year. Only 8% of these cars had major issues.

Features: Lexus RX 350 is also equipped with an infotainment system, with a 9-sound speaker system. 18-inch wheels, fog lights, LED brake lights, side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, rear spoiler, and automatic on/off headlights are all standard features. The rear wiper, AM/FM radio antenna, and back brake light are all hidden below the rear spoiler. Optional features include HID headlights and 19-inch wheels.

Maintenance and Repairs: Compared to other luxury brands in the market, Lexus cars are easy to maintain. As per RepairPal, the average annual maintenance cost of a Lexus RX 350 is between $470-574. Whereas, the average maintenance cost of its competitor luxury cars is $800. The estimated insurance plan of a Lexus RX 350 is about $1,661 per year.

Common Problems: Despite its high dependability ratings, the Lexus RX350 may experience issues due to broken or worn-out parts, which could compromise its drivability. Many users of Lexus have reported engine oil leaks during the drive. Another problem is shift lag in models after 2008. Owners of models 2007-13 have complained about AC errors on their screens.

Also read: 6 Best Lexus with a Panoramic Sunroof (+Pictures)

2. 2013 Lexus GS 350

Price: The second car on our list is a mid-size luxury sedan, Lexus GS 350. Speaking of its cost, you can buy a used 2013 Lexus GS, anywhere between $24-25k.

Overview: Historically, the company has built automobiles that sacrifice sharp reflexes for more predictable comfort. With the 2013 GS 350, Lexus has changed that perception. The GS 350 is somewhat broader and higher, much stiffer, and has a vastly better steering feel, allowing it to take territory that was formerly held only by German luxury sedans.

Engine Specs: All variants of the2013 Lexus GS 350 come with a 3.5 Liter, V6 engine whose output is 406 HP, and 277 lb-ft of torque. Its pickup speed is quite good, it can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The top speed of GS 350, as claimed by the company, is 142 mph.

Fuel Economy: The combined fuel average of GS 350 is 23 mpg. It can give up to 16 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

Reliability: In terms of reliability, it is one of the best luxury sedans in the market. That is why JD Power has given GS 350 a rating of 5 in reliability.

Features: 2013 Lexus GS 350 is the first model of the new generation. It comes with an 8-inch infotainment system, Radio, USB port, and 12-speaker audio system. In addition, it has a sunroof, 10-way power-adjustable front seats. The base infotainment screen is 8 inches. However, certain models have a navigation system with a 12.3-inch screen. Both screens feature great visuals, but they’re controlled by a mouse controller, which makes selecting specific menu selections tricky, especially when the car is moving. Some used models also come with heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, upgraded leather seats, and a Mark Levinson 17-speaker premium audio system.

Maintenance and Repair: The lead Auto Repair Information provider, Repair Pal states that the average annual maintenance cost of 2013 Lexus GS 350 is about $622. There is a 15% chance that a GS 350 will need a major repair.

To insure Lexus GS 350, you will have to spend about $1,544 annually.

Common Problems: Being the first model of the new generation, some people have reported problems. The common one is its batteries die out over and over again.

Also read: What’s A High Mileage for A Lexus? The Facts!

3. 2014 Lexus ES

Price: The third car on our list is again a mid-size luxury sedan, Lexus ES. As per a US car seller website, Edmunds, you can buy a driven 100k miles used 2014 Lexus ES, anywhere between 17k to 25k.

Looks: If you are looking to buy a mid-size luxury car, Lexus ES is again an excellent choice. It has a seating capacity of five people, adjustable and heated front seats, spacious cabin space, making it a good family car. Even, the rear seats have a headroom of about 40 inches, making it a good choice for tall people. The dashboard of the car has an elegant design and is built up of high-quality materials.

Engine Specs: 2014 Lexus ES comes with a V6 engine, whose output is 268 hp. It comes with six-speed automatic transmission and is front-wheel drive. A hybrid powertrain is also an option. The top speed, as claimed by the company, is 144 mph. Lexus ES can go from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.6 seconds.

Fuel Economy: It is also economical in terms of fuel usage. Lexus ES can give up to 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.

Reliability: Speaking of its reliability, JD Power gives it a 5-star rating in reliability.

Features: It contains a 7-inch infotainment system, which displays climate and audio features. The system is operated by using the button present on the steering wheel or by a rotatory dial near the gear shifter. Some models also have a mouse-based system. The system is easy to use but very limited. In addition, it has some necessary safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, brake assist, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, pre-collision system (PCS).

Maintenance and Repair: The average annual maintenance cost of 2014 Lexus ES is $522. So, it is cheaper to maintain compared to other luxury cars in this range.

The insurance plan of 2014 Lexus ES costs around 1,326 annually.

Common Problems: The problem or con reported against this car is its infotainment system. The mouse-based system and knob are non-user friendly and difficult to use.

Also read: Top 3 Best Lexus Under $20k (with Photos)

Summary

Now, I have discussed three choices of Lexus cars that you can buy for under 25k. A summarized comparison is presented below.

	Cost	Engine	Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	Maintenance Cost
2012 Lexus RX 350	$17-22k	270 HP	18/24 mpg	$470-574
2013 Lexus GS 359	$24-25k	406 HP	23/26 mpg	$622
2014 Lexus EX	$17-25k	268 HP	21/31 mpg	$522

If you want to buy an affordable Lexus SUV under 25k, then Lexus RX 350 is the best choice. Whereas, if you want to buy a sedan car, you can go with the 2013 Lexus GS; it is somewhat superior to the ES lineup.

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