Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus, makes the most of it reliable cars. It has an imperfect reputation when it comes to reliable cars that will last more than a lifetime. For this reason, Lexus cars are popular in the used car space because you can’t go wrong. However, as with all manufacturers, there are some Lexus models that compare poorly and therefore tend not to offer the level of bulletproof reliability that we expect from Lexus by default. To make your life easier, here are the 5 most reliable Lexus models you can safely buy used, along with 5 models we’d stay away from:
10 Reliable: Lexus LX (all generations): $22,998 to $129,500
Make a list of the most reliable cars in the world and you’ll find that the Toyota Land Cruiser ranks high. Now, we all know the Lexus LX is a richly dressed Land Cruiser, and that doesn’t take anything away from its stellar reliability. All three generations of the LX, the J100, J200 and J310 are some of the most reliable SUVs ever made, with the first generation J100 taking the lead as it includes a minimal amount of electronics that can go bad over time .
9 Walk away from: 2007 Lexus ES 350 – $14,000
As a general rule, we advise against the 2006, 2007 and 2008 model years of some Lexus cars for several reasons. The 2007 Lexus ES 350 is one such car. The biggest problem with this luxury sedan was its dashboard and interior that melted over time, resulting in an ugly mess. The steering wheel material also saw the same problem, and on top of that, frequent oil leaks, electrical gremlins, and engine head issues made it one of the Lexus models we’d avoid.
8 Reliable: Lexus LS 400 – $10,787
The Lexus LS400 is the car that put Lexus on the global map, shook the entire world and forced Mercedes-Benz to redesign its entire approach. The LS400 was a revelation, offering the ultimate in comfort, luxury, refinement and reliability. The LS400 was so reliable that consumers writing reviews on Edmunds say it’s the most reliable vehicle they’ve ever owned, without even a single minor issue. Even Matt Farah has a million-mile Lexus LS400 that still runs.
7 Walk away from: 2007 Lexus LS 460 – $20,246
Overall, the Lexus LS is a reliable ultra-luxury sedan in its segment, sometimes even surpassing the likes of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This generation of the Lexus LS is a second-hand luxury car. However, the 2007 Lexus LS 460 should be avoided for several reasons. The same problem that plagued most Lexus models, the merging of the dashboard and armrests, prevailed in this sedan. It was also known for a faulty brake actuator, which gave it a bad reputation.
6 Reliable: Lexus LS (fifth generation): Under $80,000
The current generation Lexus LS is a fantastic luxury barge. It offers the option of a powerful hybrid powertrain, which also makes it a green option. According to JD Power, the Lexus LS also gets a commendable overall score of 83 out of 100. But what’s really impressive is that most owners are very satisfied with this car, and the 2017 LS earned a 5 out of 5 Consumer Reports say so. “a benchmark for relaxing luxury motoring”.
5 Walk away from: 2009 Lexus RX 350 – $5,562
The Lexus RX is generally known as a decent mid-size SUV with styling that can be hit or miss. But the 2009 model year RX350 is something we’d avoid buying used. Massive oil leaks, loss of oil pressure and a major steering rack leak are common issues that plagued this SUV. The cost of these repairs was higher, and all of this added to the RX 350’s problems, which made it a Lexus we’d like to forget.
4 Reliable: Lexus LC 500 – $212,191
Grand Tourers are high-capacity intercontinental missiles that can cover miles and keep you surrounded by luxury. But over time, these cars also tend to become heavy on the pocket with maintenance and repairs. However, this is not the case with the brilliant Lexus LC500.
With a 5.0 rating for reliability and customer satisfaction, the LC500 is arguably the most reliable GT you can buy today, used or new.
3 Stay away from: 2006 GX 470 – $18,898
Based on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, we expect the GX 470 to be a reliable hippo. But as we mentioned, 2006/7 was a bad year for Lexus, and that applies to this as well. The main problem was a clunky engine coupled with a transmission that caused problems over time. While not major, these issues resulted in the GX being downvoted for reliability compared to other Lexus models.
2 Reliable: Lexus LFA – $660,656
Where do we start? The Lexus LFA is unlike anything else out there. It had a development budget that will put hypercars to shame, and the result of all the careful engineering was a near-perfect supercar. Being a halo car, Lexus didn’t cut any corners and the LFA is one of the best supercars ever made and one of the most reliable cars to wear a Lexus badge. There are already examples that have done high mileage, which is commendable for a high performance car.
1 Walk away from: 2007 Lexus IS 250 – $26,131
Last but not least, what we have here is another Lexus model from 2007 and this time it’s the baby IS 250. Problems? Those same melting interior panels, dashboard and a whole host of electrical gremlins add to the already tarnished picture. This is the worst rated IS model ever and considering how reliable other models are, we recommend you stay away from this particular model.
