A Guide to 10 Reliable Used Lexus Models

From its genesis as a premium sibling of Toyota, the driving principle behind Lexus was to establish a true luxury vehicle brand capable of rivalling the world’s finest on any continent. While Toyota was synonymous with producing reliable, budget-friendly vehicles for decades, Lexus was purposefully conceived for a loftier altitude. Decades later, the brand not only established a firm place within luxury motoring but also ranked among the world’s fastest selling car marques showing you could have both prestige and unparalleled reliability, in the same vehicle.

This hard-won reputation for durability is the reason why many second-hand vehicle buyers are prepared to invest in used models. That inherent level of durability comes directly from Toyota’s design philosophy, meaning lower ownership costs over a longer period, plus remarkable depreciation. Below we highlight the top used Lexus models you can choose from if you seek that blend of pampering, as well as reliability.

1. 2020 Lexus RX Remains a Benchmark in Luxury SUVs

First introduced back in 1998, the Lexus RX is not just one of the automaker’s earliest attempts at a midsize SUV, but it’s become its best selling product thanks to its blend of performance, comfort, and rock solid dependability. While for 2020 Lexus listened to its customers requests and updated it with a much more palatable 12.3-inch touch screen and thus made the infotainment more user friendly.

2020 RX Key Highlights:

• Lexus’s best-selling model since its 1998 debut
• New 12.3-inch touchscreen introduced for 2020
• Compatible with Alexa, Siri and Google Assistant
• RX 350 produces 295 horsepower from a 3.5-liter V6
• Earned a stellar 91 out of 100 for quality and reliability from JD Power

If efficiency matters, the hybrid RX 450h uses the same V6 engine, augmented with a pair of electric motors. Thanks to that power unit, it is a highly composed long-distance cruiser, while fuel efficiency consistently exceeds the government’s EPA estimates, based on the reviews from RX owners. Add in a JD Power quality score of 91 out of 100 and you get one of the most reliable luxury SUVs money can buy second-hand in the 2020 model year.

2. 2017 Lexus ES 300h Sets the Standard for Hybrid Refinement

A brand new creation that arrived way back in 1989, Lexus ES is a one of the founding members of the automobile brand and there is very good reasons why it is still around. Despite lots of buyers favoring the slightly cheaper ES350 model, the 2017 Lexus ES 300h makes more sense because when you take economy and reliable driving and mix it with one of the best quiet and elegant rides in its luxury sedan class, it’s unbeatable.

2017 ES 300h Strengths:

• One of the two original models that launched Lexus in 1989
• Hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with two electric motors
• Offers better acceleration and more interior space than the Lincoln MKZ
• Near-perfect JD Power reliability rating of 96 out of 100
• Surpasses BMW 4 Series and Audi A4 in dependability ratings

However, you’re not going to want to put this sedan into a high gear. What the ES 300h does exceptionally well is in a daily driving environment where it provides an even more cushiony, quiet-running experience than its gasoline counterparts. The added bonus of scoring a fantastic JD Power reliability score of 96/100 (out of a possible 100), better than anything else in its class for this model year, makes the Lexus a smart, albeit luxury, used car purchase.

3. 2024 Lexus LC500 Delivers Supercar Looks With Lexus Reliability

Lexus is back with its first ever production automobile named Lexus LC. The Lexus LC, meaning Luxury Coupe, replaced the LS back in 2017. Luxury and modern day features come packaged in either a Coupe or Convertible version of the Lexus Grand Tourer vehicle which is certainly an elegant but also a rather bold car as well. In the form of LC500, we find an elegant exterior with a 5.0-liter V8 that makes 471 horsepower delivered to a refined 10-speed auto transmission.

2024 LC500 Key Facts:

• Available as both a coupe and a convertible
• 5.0-liter V8 produces 471 horsepower
• Features a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• LC500h hybrid option pairs a 3.5-liter V6 with electric motors
• Earns an impressive 92 out of 100 for quality and reliability from JD Power

Regardless of whether a V8 engine and all the performance associated with it, or more reserved yet efficient powertrain, you are treated to a peaceful driving experience. The LC500 screams luxury and a truly modern driving experience, with its cabin filled with technology and top-shelf craftsmanship. Best yet, reliability isn’t a factor; JD Power reports it earned an incredible 92 out of 100.

4. 2021 Lexus NX Balances Practicality With Proven Dependability

The 2021 Lexus NX gets many of the basics right-it’s high enough off the ground for most practical purposes, offers good interior space, and is a reliable vehicle that JD Power scores an 88/100 for quality and reliability on top of a solid 85/100 overall score. JD Power also says that the 2021 Lexus NX “meets nearly every need of luxury compact SUV buyers. It feels well built, it is quiet on the highway, and delivers performance that will serve the needs of the great majority of those who buy it.”

2021 NX Overview:

• JD Power overall rating of 85 and reliability score of 88 out of 100
• Base NX300 powered by a 235-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine
• F Sport model offered a hybrid powertrain for the first time
• Hybrid F Sport models were produced in limited numbers
• Outperforms BMW X4, Porsche Macan and Cadillac XT4 in reliability

One the clearest shortcomings of the 2021 Lexus NX is that frustrating, clunky 2021 infotainment system. Yet its good blend of comfort, practicality, and dependability helps it hold its own quite well against rivals such as the Porsche Macan, Cadillac XT4, and BMW X4, and makes for an attractive used luxury-SUV purchase at a great price.

5. 2015 Lexus GS350 Proves That Discontinued Does Not Mean Forgotten

The GS series is out of the current lineup of lexus vehicles because demand changes in the marketplace has come and gone, with lexus discontinuing the gs series of vehicles after 2020 lexus is arguably a truly reliable name on many of its vehicle line of cars and trucks. It’s goal as originally manufactured was to compete with some of the more german sporty sedan lines such as the bmv 5-series and the mercedes benz e-class vehicle and it more or less carved out it’s own lane. That and that all makes the year 2015 a great deal, because it’s an excellent representation of that strategy taken to perfection.

2015 GS350 Standout Features:

• Discontinued in 2020 but remains among Lexus’s most reliable models
• V6 engine produces a strong 306 horsepower
• F Sport Package adds larger tires and a more aggressively tuned suspension
• Packed with advanced safety aids including adaptive cruise control and blind spot warning
• Owner reviews consistently praise its luxury, practicality and long-term reliability

Besides driving, the GS350 also features great build quality both internally and externally, a huge cabin that utilizes premium materials and many sophisticated safety features for its era. Owners rave about its luxury, utility, and tremendous reliability, making the 2015 GS350 an ideal pre-owned choice for a modern midsize sports sedan that holds its own.

6. 2024 Lexus IS Offers Everything From Efficiency to a Raging V8

Since its debut back in 1998, the compact luxury sedan class has included Lexus as a consistent and excellent choice to own, with the Lexus IS proving this yet again in the 2024 model year. As is the case with many cars that fall into their third generation of life, this Lexus year brought with it several new options to make things as dynamic as possible, most notable of them including a new Blackout package for the IS350 and an F Sport Design and F Sport package added for the IS300.

2024 IS Powertrain Choices:

• Standard powertrain is a 241-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder
• IS500 F Sport houses a 5.0-liter V8 producing 472 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque
• New Blackout package introduced for the IS350 trim
• F Sport Design and F Sport packages added to the IS300
• Cabin built with high-quality materials and strong attention to detail

You have an immediate dichotomy then would you rather go all out and unleash those V8 powers or do you put the higher fuel economy of the IS300 first. What could’ve been upgraded is the IS’ infotainment for the 2024 but Lexus has stayed true to its strengths. Inside, this car is still about luxury, comfort and the quality fit and finish that Lexus is at its best when all it does is create.

7. 2023 Lexus GX Is Built for Adventure Without Sacrificing Comfort

Built to conquer just about anything life, and road conditions, can throw at you the 2023 Lexus GX takes over where the asphalt stops. Essentially borrowing its robust structure, power-filled V8, and go-anywhere capability from the tried-and-true Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, theGX is ready for whatever lies ahead and provides a sophisticated level of interior luxury as part of the ride.

2023 GX Capability Highlights:

• Inspired by and shares roots with the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
• Powerful V8 paired with a robust four-wheel drivetrain
• Earns an excellent 89 out of 100 for quality and reliability from JD Power
• Delivers better fuel economy than the comparable fifth-generation 4Runner
• Ride described as smooth, responsive and quiet despite its rugged capability

Still the “Old-School Charm”. Since the 2023 GX holds an old-school attitude, it might fall behind on the new software amenities other luxury SUVs possess. But you don’t buy the GX for the fancy gizmos, you buy it because you get what you’re looking for out of a luxury vehicle and trust its reliability. With comfortable and practical cabin space, numerous driver-assistive tools standard, and a reliability rating of 89 out of 100, the GX is built for drivers seeking substance over flash.

8. 2015 Lexus CT200h was the World’s First Full Hybrid Luxury Compact

The 2015 Lexus CT200h is world’s first full-hybrid compact luxury car, and for the brand, it continues with a tradition of efficiency and refinement, but on the base Toyota Corolla platform, the youngest Lexus lives up to the name with it’s best quality: reliability. The CT200h is the No. 1 of all luxury compact cars, according to RepairPal, with an average annual repair bill of only $386.

2015 CT200h Efficiency Facts:

• World’s first full hybrid luxury compact car
• Ranked first among luxury compact cars for reliability on RepairPal
• Average annual repair cost of just $386
• EPA rating of 42 mpg combined makes it exceptionally efficient
• Four driving modes available: Normal, EV, Eco and Sport

The whole package draws its strength from an advanced hybrid drivetrain, combining a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with dual electric motors. The drivers can opt between no fewer than four driving modes, enabling either the standard driving for everyday needs, complete electricity power consumption, extreme fuel saving, or dynamic mode. TheCT200h, relying on well-tested components and with a carefully detailed interior finish, is indeed an outstanding pick if you’re searching for a high-end automobile that is simple to care for and designed to go the distance.

9. 2016 Lexus RC 200T Brings Coupe Style Without the Coupe Compromise

Part of the brand’s coupe collection beginning in its second year of production, the 2016 Lexus RC 200T is the entry level of what otherwise are sporty looking Lexus coupes. Built on the same chassis as Lexus’s already sportierIS, the 200T adheres with the same pursuit for a premium driving experience. Inside a front-mid-engine layout, is a turbo-charged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder producing a satisfactory 241hp and 258 lb-ft of torque all regulated via an 8 speed automatic shifting to the rear wheels.

2016 RC 200T Key Details:

• Built on the same platform as the Lexus IS sedan
• 241 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine
• Eight-speed automatic transmission with rear-wheel drive
• Outperforms Audi A5 and Lincoln MKZ in overall JD Power ratings
• High-quality interior materials and standard safety features throughout

The RC 200T won’t win a top speed run against rivals though this is only fractionally so but provides a good mix of punchy performance while being relatively economical, particularly as the exterior styling, dramatic, is echoed by an excellent cabin, filled with premium materials and presented attractively; combined with its usual impressive array of standard safety kit, the RC is a cracking deal in the used coupe market that’s built to be used.

10. 2022 Lexus IS500 Brings a Fire Breathing V8 to the Compact Sedan Class

The 2022 Lexus IS closes the show and in 2022 it proved a standout for powertrain diversity, thanks to the added IS500 F Sport Performance model which gave it three engine choices a 241hp turbo four, 311hp 3.5-liter V6, and 472hp 5.0-liter V8. It gave consumers an extremely rare breadth of performance within one car line.

2022 IS500 Highlights:

• IS500 F Sport Performance trim introduced for 2022
• Three engine options spanning 241 hp, 311 hp and 472 hp
• Bulging hood and longer front fenders accommodate the larger V8
• JD Power quality and reliability score of 92 out of 100
• RepairPal ranks the IS350 9th out of 31 luxury mid-size cars

The V8-powered IS500, a burlier counterpart to the already impressive IS350, sports more muscular body styling. That said, the IS model has always been praised for its athletic handling and satisfyingly smooth ride. A JD Power rating of 92/100 on reliability and an annual average repair cost of only $543 make the 2022 the premier option when buying used.