Are Lexus Good Cars?
Beautiful styling and excellent ratings for reliability and safety make Lexus a leader in the luxury car market.
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
With stellar ratings for safety and reliability, Lexus vehicles are some of the best luxury cars on the market today.
Let’s address something right off the bat: According to a 2019 tweet from the carmaker, the plural form of Lexus is… Lexus. Not Lexuses, not Lexi. We know—we don’t care for it either. But it’s their car and they can call it whatever they want. Moving on!
Lexus may be a newer entry in the realm of premium cars, but the brand arrived with a splash in 1989 and has been making waves ever since. Lexus sold almost 305,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2021.
With a reputation for being luxurious, safe, and incredibly reliable, it’s no wonder that the brand has some die-hard fans. While
Lexus insurance costs
can be pricey, maintenance costs are generally much less than comparable makes, which means not only is a Lexus a luxe choice—but it’s also a sensible one. Dig into the specs and stats behind what makes Lexus great with
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Are Lexus good cars?
Lexus was founded in 1989 as the luxury division of the Japanese automaker
Toyota
. The first car in the lineup was the LS 400
, which was a rampant success—and made the old guard of luxury automakers sit up and take notice. The original LS 400 remains popular and sought-after today, which is a testament to both its quality and status.Here are the 20 (yes, 20) Lexus models on the market as of 2022:
Model | Starting price | Vehicle type | Edmunds.com rating | Car and Driver rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
IS | $39,850 | Sedan | 7.7/10 | 7.5/10 |
IS 500 | $57,575 | Sedan | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
ES | $28,315 | Sedan | 8/10 | 8/10 |
ES hybrid | $42,975 | Sedan | 8/10 | 6.5/10 |
LS | $77,175 | Sedan | 8.1/10 | 7.7/10 |
LS hybrid | $113,075 | Sedan | 7.7/10 | 7/10 |
UX | $34,225 | SUV | 7.1/10 | 7.5/10 |
UX hybrid | $36,495 | SUV | 7.1/10 | 7.5/10 |
NX | $39,025 | SUV | Not rated | 8/10 |
NX hybrid | $242,125 | SUV | Not rated | 8/10 |
NX PHEV | $56,725 | SUV | Not rated | 8/10 |
RX | $46,645 | SUV | 7.7/10 | 6.5/10 |
RX hybrid | $49,345 | SUV | 7.7/10 | 6.5/10 |
GX | $56,700 | SUV | 6.9/10 | 5/10 |
LX | $88,245 | SUV | 7/10 | 8.5/10 |
RC | $43,545 | Coupe | 5.5/10 | 5.5/10 |
RC F | $66,945 | Coupe | 6.5/10 | 6.5/10 |
LC | $94,225 | Coupe | 7.7/10 | 7/10 |
LC hybrid | $100,225 | Coupe | 7.7/10 | 7/10 |
LC convertible | $102,275 | Coupe | 7.7/10 | 7/10 |
Did you know? No one really knows for sure where the origin of the name “Lexus” came from, but a popular theory says it’s a portmanteau of “luxury”, “elegance,” and “exports to the U.S.”
Are Lexus reliable?
A car’s reliability is a metric of how often it breaks down and how affordable and easy repairs are. Good warranties, low repair costs, and infrequent recalls all make a brand reliable.
According to a 2021 report by
Kelley Blue Book
, Lexus are the most reliable cars on the road. RepairPal
rates the brand a 4 out of 5, which places it seventh out of the 32 brands they surveyed. Consumer Reports
also has high praise for Lexus, placing it in the top ranking for reliability in a 2021 report. The big picture? Not only are Lexus posh, but they’re also incredibly reliable, which makes them a solid investment as far as luxury cars go.
Are Lexus safe?
Lexus safety ratings
are consistently high, with outstanding scores from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In fact, nearly all models of Lexus that were reviewed in 2022 by the IIHS were chosen as a Top Safety Pick. What makes Lexus so safe? Every 2020 and newer model comes standard with Lexus Safety System+, a robust suite of active safety technology and equipment. Here are a few of the features:
- Pre-collision system
- Lane assistance
- Intelligent high beams
- Dynamic radar cruise control
- Road sign assist
Here are the numbers on Lexus safety ratings and recalls:
Model | NHTSA rating | Recalls | IIHS rating |
|---|---|---|---|
IS | 5 stars | 0 | Good |
IS 500 | 5 stars | 0 | Good |
ES | 5 stars | 0 | Good |
ES hybrid | 5 stars | 0 | Good |
LS | Not rated | 0 | Not rated |
LS hybrid | Not rated | 0 | Not rated |
UX | 5 stars | 0 | Good |
UX hybrid | 5 stars | 0 | Good |
NX | Not rated | 1 | Good |
NX hybrid | Not rated | 1 | Good |
NX PHEV | Not rated | 1 | Good |
RX | 4 stars | 0 | Good |
RX hybrid | 4 stars | 0 | Good |
GX | Not rated | 0 | Not rated |
LX | Not rated | 0 | Not rated |
RC | Not rated | 0 | Good |
RC F | Not rated | 0 | Good |
LC | Not rated | 0 | Not rated |
LC hybrid | Not rated | 0 | Not rated |
LC convertible | Not rated | 0 | Not rated |
MORE: How to find vehicle safety ratings
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Are Lexus expensive to maintain?
The annual repair cost for Lexus models is $551, according to RepairPal. This means they’re quite affordable to maintain—especially for a luxury car. Following the standard maintenance schedule recommended in your owner’s manual will keep your repair costs low and keep your Lexus in prime condition for as long as possible.
The Lexus models that get the highest marks for reliability are the LS and the IS. The GS stopped being produced around 2000, but it also gets consistently high marks for reliability. No matter what model you get, reliability and ease of maintenance are areas that Lexus consistently scores high in.
Are Lexus good on gas?
The answer to this really depends on what Lexus you’re talking about. Some of the SUVs and the performance sports cars have a combined fuel rating in the teens, while the numbers for the hybrids and plug-in models are considerably higher. There’s a lot of variation even among the
trim levels
within the models, so check with the EPA and the dealership for the exact numbers on the Lexus you’re looking at. Overall, Lexus has some very fuel-efficient vehicles. The EPA gave the 2022 NX hybrid an impressive 84 MPGe! But if you go with a sporty LC or a big ol’
GX
, expect to see a combined fuel rating of about 17. There’s also a ton of middle ground, so you’re sure to find something that will align with your priorities. MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car
Are Lexus fun to drive?
The big selling points of Lexus vehicles are that they’re posh, luxurious, and safe. But according to many of the reviews on Car and Driver, they lose some points for driving excitement (or lack thereof).
While admitting that they’re extremely comfortable and equipped with all the latest bells and whistles, C&D seems fairly meh when it comes to the driveability of the 2022 Lexus lineup. Of the sporty RC, they state “We wish it were faster.” Ouch.
If handling and performance are top priorities for you, then a Lexus might not be what you’re looking for. But that doesn’t mean they’re not safe, gorgeous cars.
What’s the best Lexus?
The right Lexus for you is a matter of personal preference—not to mention budget, family size, and other factors. There’s also a near unwieldy number of models to choose from. All the same, a few models stand out from the crowd when it comes to Lexus’s best cars.
If you are looking for something eco-friendly, then the NX hybrid or NX PHEV will make your friends green with envy. Want something sporty? Try
Lexus RC F
or LC. Need an SUV for hauling kids? Try a Top Safety Pick. Bottom line? The best Lexus is the one that works for you—and there’s no shortage of options to choose from.
MORE:
Car loans for Lexus 2022
How to find affordable Lexus insurance
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FAQs
Is BMW better than Lexus?
This question might lead to fisticuffs in certain circles—“better” is often a relative term. While BMW is more popular than Lexus, its reliability ratings are nowhere near as solid.
Do Lexus cars last long?
Lexus cars are known for being extremely durable. One of the reasons the original Lexus LS 400 is something of a collector’s item is that it’s ridiculously reliable.
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