2010-2017 Lexus GX
U.S. News Score: 7.8/10 | Avg Price: $28,636 | Reliability Score: 4.19
The Lexus GX was completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, and it addressed many of the issues of the midsize SUV’s previous generation. The redesign was good enough that, with a freshened exterior in 2014 and annual feature upgrades, the GX has remained largely the same for almost a decade. It’s a larger, more off-road-ready SUV than many crossover SUVs and it regularly received excellent predicted reliability scores from J.D. Power.
You’ll find modern tech like Bluetooth connectivity in even early models from this generation, as well as standard heated and cooled front seats and leather upholstery. You can find later models with Siri Eyes Free and Enform smartphone integration.
2009-2017 Lexus LX
U.S. News Score: 8.15/10 | Avg Price: $45,938 | Reliability Score: 4.7
The Lexus LX was redesigned for 2009 and underwent a significant interior and exterior refresh in 2013. It has been riding on those luxury laurels ever since, with only a few upgrades to keep up with changing technology. It has received top marks for reliability nearly every year, and in 2011 it was named the U.S. News Best Luxury Large SUV for Families.
Four-wheel drive comes standard with the LX, which can tow up to 7,000 pounds. Although the LX’s fuel economy lags behind others in the luxury large SUV class it still checks a lot of boxes for active families.
2015-2017 Lexus RC
U.S. News Score: 8.17/10 | Avg Price: $43,464 | Reliability Score: 3.33
The 2015 Lexus RC was ranked at the top of our luxury small car class right out of the gate. It was an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick+, and it received a perfect five out of five reliability score from J.D. Power. New trim levels have been introduced since its debut and navigation is standard as of 2017. The infotainment system has never been as easy to use as rival systems, but the RC’s agile handling and powerful engines have always had fans.
2009-2010 Lexus SC
U.S. News Score: 8.2/10 | Avg Price: $21,012 | Reliability Score: 4.5
The Lexus SC was a reliable and luxurious little convertible. It earned great reliability scores in 2009 and 2010, with a very high-quality and well-built interior. It’s ideal for sunny Sunday drives, as it was built for comfort and a smooth ride rather than aggressive driving and attacking corners. Its retractable hardtop gives it a bit more flexibility in less sunny climes.
2009-2017 Lexus LS
U.S. News Score: 8.28/10 | Avg Price: $39,138 | Reliability Score: 3.39
The 2009 Lexus LS was one of the first models on the market to offer a self-parking feature. It wasn’t the smoothest operation, especially by 2018 standards, but it does signal the amount of advanced technology packed into the previous generation Lexus’ flagship sedan. There was a redesign in 2013, though its smooth ride, quiet cabin, and excellent reliability record remained intact. In 2014, Siri Eyes free was added as an option, and later models have many of the safety tech options that shoppers expect in the latest Lexus models, like front and rear parking sensors and a rearview camera.
2010-2011 Lexus GS
U.S. News Score: 8.3/10 | Avg Price: $17,718 | Reliability Score: 3.5
The 2010 and 2011 Lexus GS model years were quiet, comfortable, and a pleasure to drive. Plus, this luxury midsize sedan’s reliability and safety scores for these years are excellent. Standard features focused on luxury, like leather upholstery, push-button start, and a sunroof. Bluetooth and USB ports also came standard, but adaptive cruise control, a rearview camera, and other features were extra.
2014-2017 Lexus IS
U.S. News Score: 8.3/10 | Avg. Price: $33,033 | Reliability Score: 3.5
The Lexus IS was fully redesigned in 2014, but the luxury small car retained its composed ride, luxurious interior, and reputation for being reliable. The interior redesign kept its styling fresh and there are plenty of standard tech features, like a 7-inch display, Bluetooth, HD radio, satellite, and voice recognition. Smartphone integration was added in 2015, which is helpful because reviewers were not keen on the Remote Touch controller. Advanced safety features were available for all IS models of this generation.
2010-2012 Lexus HS
U.S. News Score: 8.4/10 | Avg Price: $11,754 | Reliability Score: 4.33
The Lexus HS was a short-lived hybrid sedan. It’s easy to forget how unfamiliar many of us were with hybrids; one of the accolades given the HS was “drives like a normal car.” It has the composed handling and reliability ratings Lexus is known for, and it is even able to run on electricity (though only for a short time in EV mode). The cabin uses high-quality materials. Leather upholstery was standard, as were USB ports and Bluetooth. A rearview camera and navigation were optional.
Lexus discontinued the HS, so you’ll have to buy used if this is the right car for you.
2015-2017 Lexus NX
U.S. News Score: 8.43/10 | Avg Price: $32,442 | Reliability Score: 4
The 2015 Lexus NX arrived fully formed and atop the luxury compact SUV rankings. It has excellent safety and reliability scores, plus a luxurious interior and confident handling. These added up to back-to-back wins as the 2016 Best Luxury Compact SUV for the Money and 2017 Best Luxury Compact SUV for the Money.
Like most Lexus vehicles, the NX was designed to give you a smooth, comfortable ride rather than a thrill, though there was an F model available for a more athletic ride. A 7-inch display, Bluetooth, USB, and Siri Eyes Free are all standard. In 2017 Lexus added navigation via a smartphone app.
2011-2017 Lexus CT
U.S. News Score: 8.47/10 | Avg Price: $31,250 (2017) | Reliability Score: 4.75
The Lexus CT is another hybrid-only model, though Lexus decided to go the five-door route for this model. The hatchback offers plenty of cargo space and its fuel economy tops the small car class. You’ll find Bluetooth, a USB port, and dual-zone climate control in the very comfortable cabin; navigation and a rearview camera have been options since the CT debuted in 2011. The styling was refreshed in 2014, along with the infotainment system.
Lexus has stopped production of the CT, so you’ll have to buy used if this is the car for you.
2009-2013 Lexus IS
U.S. News Score: 8.56/10 | Avg Price: $38,782 | Reliability Score: 4.5
The second generation of the Lexus IS (2009 to 2013) offered a well-built and reliable luxury small car. The interior is well appointed, though taller passenger will feel a bit cramped. Leather seats, Bluetooth, and a USB port are standard, and the available technology improved with each year. Navigation was an option, and in 2013 the Enform smartphone integration app became available.
2013-2017 Lexus ES
U.S. News Score: 8.66/10 | Avg Price: $23,911 | Reliability Score: 5
When the Lexus ES 350 was fully redesigned in 2013 it brought along its perfect predicted reliability score, as well as earning excellent safety scores. These, plus a long list of available tech and safety features, helped the ES earn the 2017 Best Luxury Midsize Car for the Money award.
The ES 350 of this generation has a larger than average trunk for a luxury midsize car, plus plenty of space for passengers in comfortable, leatherette (Nuluxe) seats, even in the back seat. In 2015, a rearview camera was added to the list of standard features, and the Lexus Pre-Collision system was optional. A refresh in 2016 keeps the design modern.
2016-2017 Lexus RX
U.S. News Score: 8.7/10 | Avg Price: $43,506 | Reliability Score: 4.75
The latest generation of the Lexus RX 350 received a major redesign in 2016, giving the luxury midsize SUV a more modern, aggressive styling on the outside and an interior described as comfortable, roomy, and upscale. The RX 350 received high predicted reliability and safety scores, including a 2016 Top Safety Pick+ designation by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Its lower base price and long list of standard features earned it the 2017 Best Luxury 2-Row SUV for the Money award. The Lexus Safety System, a rearview camera, and an 8-inch display are standard.
2013-2017 Lexus GS
U.S. News Score: 8.92/10 | Avg Price: $37,854 | Reliability Score: 5
The 2013 Lexus GS tops the rankings of used luxury midsize cars for that model year. It has perfect scores for both safety and reliability, a rarity for any luxury midsize car. This generation of the GS consistently ranks highly in its class and has received the highest marks from independent testing agencies.
The exterior design got a refresh in 2016, but the comfortably upscale interior has been untouched but for a few technology updates. The 2017 model was brought up-to-date with standard navigation and the Lexus Safety System+ suite of driver assistance technologies.
2009-2015 Lexus RX
U.S. News Score: 9.01/10 | Avg Price: $20,032 | Reliability Score: 5
Way back in 2009, the Lexus RX 350 started its parade of awards with the U.S. News Best Luxury Crossover for the Money honor. This generation won our Best Car for the Money award in its class every year through 2015. In 2011, it picked up the Best Luxury SUV for Families award, which it also continued to win through 2015 (2012 being an exception). The RX 350 has an unbeatable combination of safety, reliability, price, luxury, and features.
It’s not a sporty SUV and it only has two rows, but even the early models offered a rearview camera. A power liftgate became standard equipment in 2013, making loading the cargo area easier. Later models in this generation have Bluetooth, USB ports, and Siri Eyes Free as standard features, with navigation available.
2009-2012 Lexus ES
U.S. News Score: 9.15/10 | Avg Price: $10,155 | Reliability Score: 5
The 2009 Lexus ES was named the Best Upscale Car for the Money for having loads of luxury on board, plenty of passenger space, and a quiet cabin. Leather seats, push-button start, and a power sunroof were all standard equipment, with Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and adaptive cruise control available – even in 2009. Bluetooth quickly moved to the standard features list, along with USB ports and dual-zone automatic climate control. The stellar reliability scores of the ES makes this generation a good used car.
More Shopping Tools from U.S. News & World Report
Lexus still makes some of the best vehicles on the road, so it’s worth checking out their new vehicles as well. You can also see our rankings for all used cars to see how Lexus models compare with others in their classes. When you’re ready to take a test drive, visit our dealer inventory page to find the right model at a dealership near you.
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Why Buy New When You Can Go Used?
Maybe you’re a Lexus loyalist, or a Toyota fan looking for an upgrade to the luxury level. Or maybe you’re shopping for an affordable luxury car, and Lexus made the shortlist. In any of these cases, Lexus likely has a vehicle that will fit your needs.
That’s because Lexus has made a lot of different cars over the years, from hybrid hatchbacks to large SUVs. How can you tell which one is the best for you? We can help, as well as help you to figure out the alphabet soup of model names that Lexus offers.
You’ll find the 16 best used Lexus models according to our scores. We placed special emphasis on the reliability score, as it’s a particular concern for used-car shoppers. But we also noted the overall score, which takes into account the safety, performance, interior, and critic’s opinion of each vehicle. We included models at a number of price points to satisfy almost any budget.
You’ll notice that some models make the list twice. That’s because those vehicles received a complete redesign in recent years, which made them significantly different from the previous generation. But if both generations are among the best, we included them both in this slideshow.
Be sure to take a look at our Lexus certified pre-owned listings. You can read more on certified pre-owned Lexus models here.
Our scores are being constantly updated as we receive new information over the years. Because of that, the scores and rankings in this slideshow might not match the scores you see in the reviews.