Lexus, just like its parent company Toyota, has a solid reputation in the automotive industry for its reliability. That said, you have to understand that no car is perfect because humans, can make mistakes. So, even though Lexus prides itself on making some of the world's most reliable cars, buyers can still end up with a shoddy Lexus. This is why, as someone looking to get good value for your money, going for a used Lexus is often better than getting a brand-new one.
Updated May 2023: Whether you're a Lexus enthusiast or a luxury consumer looking for the best Lexus models to purchase as a fancy car or project car, you'll be happy to know we've updated the content of this list to make choosing the right model easier for you.
A well-maintained used Lexus will take the guesswork out when making buying decisions, as you will have good knowledge of its reliability before you let go of your hard-earned cash. Since used car buyers are huge on reliability, we took that and other relevant factors like performance, design, and safety into consideration when compiling this list. On this note, here are the best Lexus models to buy used and two we'd stay away from.
13 Best: 2018-2022 Lexus LS
Despite Lexus' strong reputation of reliability and quality among luxury cars, the LS doesn't have the best of records when it comes to dependability. However, the fifth LS generation makes a case for itself with robust build quality that prevents consistent and unplanned breakdowns. And, in agreement with its luxury designation, the new LS provides a quiet, pleasant ride, a potent twin-turbo V6 engine, as well as a roomy, upscale interior with plenty of tech and safety features. Under the hood, the LS has a standard twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 that generates 416 horsepower, with that output handled by a 10-speed automatic transmission. A 354-hp hybrid powertrain comprising a 3.5-liter V6 and two electric motors is available.
The LS also features a wide array of features, including heated and ventilated front seats, leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, proximity keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, Amazon Alexa, navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, as well as a 12-speaker sound system.
12 Best: 2018-2022 Lexus LC
The Lexus LC is still in its first generation since the Japanese automaker introduced it for the 2018 model year. However, it has immediately impacted the luxury sports car market, thanks in part to its incredible reliability, with the 2022 model scoring an impressive 86/100 in J.D. Power's dependability rating.
Build quality aside, expect plenty of standard driver-assistance features, including forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, forward automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection.
11 Best: 2019-2022 Lexus UX
The UX isn't the fastest Lexus out there, but it is undeniably one of the most affordable, efficient, and maneuverable Lexus cars you can buy. While it is basically the Toyota Prius of the Lexus range, the UX doesn't look or drive like the dreary, boring, and slow previous-generation Prius.
Powered by a 169-hp four-cylinder, this luxury subcompact SUV returns 29 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, which is among the best in its segment. Of course, reliability is also remarkable, with the vehicle consistently earning great scores from J.D. Power.
10 Best: 2015-2017 Lexus RC
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluated the Lexus RC luxury sports coupe as a great option when it comes to safety. But what's more impressive about the compact premium car is its reliability, which J.D. Power considers to be great, thus scoring it 82 out of 100.
Beyond the reliability and safety features, you want a Lexus that also offers nimble handling and energetic powertrain options, and the 2015-2017 Lexus RC comes with all of those. It fiercely competes with high-end sports coupes like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and BMW 4 Series. Power flows from a 3.5-liter V6 that makes 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, with torque sent to either the rear or all four wheels through either an eight-speed automatic transmission (rear-wheel-drive models) or a six-speed automatic unit.
9 Best: 2009-2010 Lexus SC
The Lexus SC is a luxury convertible with a sleek exterior design and superb interior finish. Sure, it gets bad press for its appearance and unimpressive performance, but besides that, the 2009-2010 Lexus SC is worth its weight in gold, with a reliability score of 4.5 out of 5 according to U.S. News. It's no wonder Edmunds describes it as "oldie but goodie".
The Lexus SC 430 gets its energy from a 4.3-liter V8 engine, which can produce up to 288 horsepower and a torque of 317 lb-ft. The Volvo C70 and BMW 335i are the strongest competitors of the Lexus SC.
8 Best: 2011-2017 Lexus CT
Lexus outdid itself with the release of the CT model from 2011 to 2017. The CT is a uniquely styled five-door hatchback that makes use of gas-electric drivetrain technology by Toyota. The rationale behind the CT's eco-friendly construction was to attract Millennials, but it did more than that, by bagging the award for the most reliable car to buy used in the United Kingdom, with over 99.5% reliability rating by owners.
With its pedigree, it's obvious that the premium hybrid hatchback is a good car. The CT's electric motor works with a 1.8-liter gasoline engine to provide power, which goes to the front wheels through the CVT automatic gearbox. The reliability and performance of the Lexus CT put it as a formidable rival to the Audi A3.
7 Best: 2009-2013 Lexus IS
The 2009-2013 model is the second generation of the IS line that gives competitors like the BMW 3 Series and Infiniti G37 a run for their money in terms of performance. With its safety features and great crash performance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) scores the 2009 Lexus IS with 4 out of 5. In terms of performance, there's a 2.5-liter V6 making 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque, with output harnessed to a six-speed automatic transmission that channels it to either the rear or all four wheels.
One of the reasons people opt for a used car is to save money, but they often leave out fuel consumption when evaluating a vehicle. The Lexus IS 250 is the most economical version, consuming only about 2.3 gallons of gas for a 62-mile ride. Rear-drive IS 250s return 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, while versions with all-wheel drive return 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.
6 Best: 2009-2017 Lexus LX
If you are looking for a large, luxurious SUV for your family, the 2009-2017 Lexus LX is well worth your consideration. With each model year enjoying a stellar reliability score, the U.S. News naming the 2011 LX as one of the best family SUVs is a no-brainer.
The third-generation LX features a four-wheel drive that's able to provide the torque requirements for the four wheels simultaneously. Just like the Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX features an off-road crawl mode that makes braking and throttling over rough terrain quite effortless.
5 Best: 2013-2017 Lexus GS​​​​
The 2013-2017 Lexus GS is a luxury sedan that is somewhere in between the large Lexus LS and the compact IS. The midsize Lexus comes with the same chassis as the Toyota Crown, which is one of the longest-running premium sedans.
In 2013, Lexus upped the power output of the GS to 311 horsepower with the introduction of a paddle-shifted six-speed automatic. In 2016, Lexus refreshed the exterior of the GS and added a few technologies, including adaptive cruise control and an automatic emergency braking system.
4 Best: 2009-2015 Lexus RX
Lexus is unwavering in its belief that hybrid powertrains are superior to diesel engines. This is why it equipped the award-winning third-generation RX with hybrid technology. Each model of the third-generation Lexus RX never failed to clinch the prize for the Best Crossover for the Money by U.S. News.
Concerning reliability, the RX hits a five-star rating with U.S. News. Although this luxury crossover is not exactly a sporty SUV, the spacious cabin and cargo area make it a perfect car for the family.
3 Best: 2009-2012 Lexus ES
The 2009-2012 Lexus ES is the fifth-generation family of midsize sedans, available in three variants: ES 250, ES 300, and ES 350. These versions have an engine displacement of 2.5 liters, 3 liters as well as 3.5 liters respectively. In 2009, Lexus gave the ES a minor face-lift by adding features like Bluetooth, USB ports, and a rearview camera.
For its luxurious interior look and roomy cabin, the 2009 ES received the Best Upscale Car for the Money award. But that's even less than impressive in comparison to the 93/100 reliability rating of the 2010 ES by J.D. Power. It's no wonder the fifth-generation ES sold over 89,212 units globally.
2 Worst: 2007-2011 Lexus LS
The 2007-2011 Lexus LS is the fourth-generation full-size luxury sedan that came with a sturdy 380-horsepower V8 engine. The 2007 LS is perhaps the most problematic model year, with car owners submitting a wide range of complaints to CarComplaints.com.
The most recurrent complaint about the LS was melting door panels, with repair costs amounting to roughly $1,700. Other complaints were concerning poor interior material quality and anti-lock braking system failure. According to Consumer Reports, the 2007 LS has three recalls and seven trouble spots.
1 Worst: 2007-2011 Lexus HS
Everyone wants to contribute their quota to saving the environment, and a great way of doing that is by driving eco-friendly vehicles. Lexus released the HS Hybrid in 2010, but little did they know it would be one of their worst vehicles to hit the road. According to Consumer Reports, many HS owners complained that it was not properly refined. Lexus recalled the 2010 Lexus HS seven times.
In addition, the storage in the 2007-2011 Lexus HS 250 is almost nonexistent, even though Lexus tried to compensate for it with a rather enlarged console. Furthermore, the trunk is pretty small, and the rear seats were not foldable. But what was even more disheartening was the oil-burning engine of the LS – which displaced just 140 hp and a combined 180 hp along with the electric motor.