If you’re in the market for a new car, you’re likely looking for a model with hefty reliability. It wouldn’t make sense to throw down a large chunk of money and gamble, hoping that models that aren’t practical will hold out in the long run. Plenty of cars on the market fit the bill, but the same can be said for reliable ones. If you’re searching for the most reliable cars or SUVs, nine times out of ten, a hybrid (HEV) will likely show up in your search bar.
The reason hybrids are stereotyped as being reliable is a short and simple answer: because the majority of the field showcases tank-like reliability. The major players in the hybrid industry are Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Kia, and Hyundai. It’s a no-brainer that the hybrid industry is centered around reliability with brands like these. Lexus and Toyota are the two main car brands that produce the most hybrids, and it just so happens that they’re the most reliable car brands when it comes to hybrids. Toyota sometimes comes out on top, but if you take them out of the equation, you’re likely left with Lexus being on top or a close runner-up.
The Most Reliable Japanese Hybrid In 2025
This hybrid might capitalize on reliability, but its low ownership costs and luxury are some added bonuses.
The Lexus LC Hybrid Outscores Toyota In Reliability
92/100 In Quality And Reliability By J.D. Power
The 2025 Lexus LC Hybrid outscores Toyota, which may surprise some because this coupe is one of the few hybrid sports cars on the market. This doesn’t include hypercars or supercars, making the Lexus LC Hybrid one of the few performance-centered HEVs that you can pick up. While its design and appearance may be surprising, its top-notch reliability is expected.
Lexus and Toyota are two of the most reliable car brands when it comes to both their used and new models. Every year, you’ll see the two sister brands compete over which cars come out on top as the most reliable. Speaking of, the Lexus LC Hybrid doesn’t just outscore Toyota, but it also outscores the whole playing field.
J.D. Power Rated The LC Hybrid As The Most Reliable Hybrid In 2025
Before jumping into other hybrids, it’s best to explore what J.D. Power has to say about the Lexus LC Hybrid. When it came to reliability, the LC Hybrid scored 92 out of 100. For other ratings, J.D. Power gave it an 89 out of 100 for driving experience, 69 out of 100 for resale value, and 87 out of 100 for dealership experience. With all the scores added together and averaged out, the 2025 Lexus LC Hybrid received an overall score of 86 out of 100.
- Quality And Reliability: 92/100
- Driving Experience: 89/100
- Resale Value: 69/100
- Dealership Experience: 87/100
- Overall Score: 86/100
So, how does the 2025 Lexus LC Hybrid stack up against other hybrids? As of today, the LC Hybrid is the highest-rated hybrid according to J.D. Power. To no surprise, many of the other top reliable hybrids end up being several Lexus models. You have the UX, RX, and ES, which are in the top eight. The Ford Escape Hybrid sits in the middle, which is a bit of a surprise since it’s one of the more underrated hybrid SUVs. Toyota makes the list with the Camry and 4Runner, which sit towards the top. Lastly, Subaru barely makes it with its brand-new Forester Hybrid, which was just released this year.
Most Reliable Hybrids In 2025
|
2025 Lexus LC Hybrid |
92/100 |
|
2025 Lexus ES Hybrid |
88/100 |
|
2025 Toyota Camry Hybrid |
86/100 |
|
2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid |
86/100 |
|
2025 Ford Escape Hybrid |
85/100 |
|
2025 Lexus UX Hybrid |
85/100 |
|
2025 Lexus RX Hybrid |
85/100 |
|
2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid |
83/100 |
10 Lexus Hybrid Models You Should Buy Used
Lexus offers some of the most reliable hybrid vehicles you can get. Whether you’re on a budget or have some money to spend, Lexus has you covered.
What Ownership Costs Look Like On This Luxury Hybrid Coupe
With the Lexus LC Hybrid being a luxury hybrid and all, you’d think that the ownership costs would be high. Typically, in the luxury car world, you have to pay to play. Many high-end vehicles are built to a high degree, and when you look at the maintenance or repairs, they can sometimes rack up costs. This is the case for all luxury vehicles, which is why it’s essential to see what the ownership costs look like on the 2025 Lexus LC Hybrid.
2025 Lexus LC Hybrid 5-Year Ownership Costs
|
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Year 5 |
Total |
|
|
Insurance |
$1,059 |
$1,096 |
$1,134 |
$1,174 |
$1,215 |
$5,678 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maintenance |
$262 |
$1,114 |
$653 |
$1,756 |
$6,519 |
$10,304 |
|
Repairs |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$338 |
$516 |
$854 |
|
Taxes & Fees |
$7,804 |
$24 |
$24 |
$24 |
$24 |
$7,900 |
|
Financing |
$7,888 |
$6,386 |
$4,760 |
$2,998 |
$1,092 |
$23,124 |
|
Depreciation |
$26,590 |
$9,249 |
$7,559 |
$8,475 |
$7,401 |
$59,274 |
|
Fuel |
$1,887 |
$1,944 |
$2,002 |
$2,062 |
$2,124 |
$10,019 |
|
True Cost to Own |
$45,490 |
$19,813 |
$16,132 |
$16,827 |
$18,891 |
$117,153 |
The Maintenance And Depreciation Are The Highest Costs
Sometimes, ripping the band-aid off right away is better, and in this case, the highest costs on the LC Hybrid are expected to be its maintenance and depreciation. After five years, you can expect to pay $10,304 for maintenance. This may seem bad, but this is normal for high-end sports cars. The mechanical parts aren’t going to be parts you see on a Toyota Corolla, and in order to keep repairs down, you’ll want to do preventative maintenance periodically. In the case of the LC Hybrid, it’s expected to do well in the repair category, costing around $854 after five years.
Looking at the worst area overall, the LC Hybrid is projected to lose $59,274 of its value after five years. That’s a large chunk of money, but funnily enough, it’s not entirely bad. While it looks bad on paper, it actually depreciates slower than other mainstream affordable hybrids. All in all, it costs around $117,153 to own the LC Hybrid after five years.
Find 2025 Lexus LC Hybrid and more cars for sale on our Marketplace
Why This 3-Year-Old Hybrid Beats Most Brand-New Cars in Reliability
This 3-year-old hybrid surpasses new cars with its unmatched reliability, setting a high standard in durability and performance.
What Makes A Vehicle Reliable?
You may see discussions or topics about reliable vehicles, and most of the time, the overall concept of reliability isn’t explained. Several factors make a vehicle reliable, and it’s almost endless and unfinished.
Reviewers like J.D. Power take in defects, malfunctions, design flaws, and other areas. These are great areas to acknowledge, but there are even more factors that are just as important. This includes ownership costs, which are shown above, safety ratings, recalls, mechanics/engineering, and more. Even a model’s lineage or track record is worth considering. If a car brand isn’t reliable, are they able to produce a reliable model? There are many questions to ask and areas to look at, and while a couple have been touched on about the LC Hybrid, the other significant one is its high level of design.
The Lexus LC Hybrid Was Engineered Around High-Quality Craftsmanship
Just by looking at the LC Hybrid, you’d be able to determine that this car isn’t just for show. With its sleek contours and sharp edges, Lexus shows a high level of craftsmanship, which plays a major role in its reliability. Plenty of vehicles in car history have shown that they can look good and perform well, but due to their flawed mechanics, they end up being one of the least reliable models.
The LC Hybrid is one of Lexus’ few performance-focused hybrids, and they went to great lengths to make it like no other. Lexus takes inspiration from the LFA when designing the LC, which you couldn’t find a better model to draw off of. Every inch on the inside and outside was purposely placed in order to create an optimal hybrid that balances comfort and luxury.
Popping The Hood On The Only Luxury HEV Sports Car
|
Engine |
Power |
Torque |
0-60 MPH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3.5-Liter V-6 Hybrid Engine |
354 HP |
369 LB-FT |
4.7 Seconds |
2025 Lexus LC Hybrid Performance Specifications
While the LC Hybrid is one of the few hybrid sports cars, it doesn’t pack too much thrill underneath the hood. A 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine powers the LC Hybrid, delivering 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an automatic transmission and a rear-wheel drive system. It’s neither slow nor fast, completing a 0-60 mile-per-hour sprint in 4.7 seconds. Of course, a 0-60 sprint that sits under 5 seconds is admirable, but when you see the price of the LC Hybrid in a minute, you may be disappointed that it doesn’t do 0-60 somewhere in the high 3s or low 4s.
The Hybrid That Offers One Of The Longest Driving Ranges
Hybrids tend to offer better efficiency than their counterparts, which is the case for the LC Hybrid, but similar to its performance, its efficiency isn’t impressive for a hybrid. The 2025 Lexus LC Hybrid offers 26 MPG in the city, 33 MPG on the highway, and a combined fuel economy of 29 MPG. This is a luxury sports car, after all, and most buyers won’t be thinking about fuel economy. The real showstopper is that the LC Hybrid offers one of the longest ranges, topping out at 644 miles. You might need to let that marinate for a minute because there are only a handful of HEVs that get near that range.
2025 Lexus LC Hybrid Fuel Economy
|
Fuel Economy (City) |
26 MPG |
|
Fuel Economy (Highway) |
33 MPG |
|
Fuel Economy (Combined) |
29 MPG |
|
Range |
644 Miles |
|
Annual Fuel Cost |
$2,150 |
2025 Lexus LC500 Reminds Us To Appreciate The Present
It may not be on the cutting edge of what’s new in the automotive world, but the LC500 is the product of getting the recipe right the first time.
The LC Hybrid Is Expected To Be Replaced In The Near Future
So, what does the future look like for one of the most reliable hybrids you can buy? Lexus has been shifting around its lineup, pulling out existing models and replacing them with new ones. The LC Hybrid has been out since 2016, with minor updates, and is due for either a new generation or a new replacement.
There have been rumors that Lexus is replacing the RC and LC models with something new. Gossip is huge in the car world, and while Lexus has stayed quiet, rumors around an EV replacement, a new V-6 hybrid, and many others have been the main guesses as to where the LC Hybrid’s future lies. Only time will tell, but the LC looks to be next up for Lexus’ attention.
The Most Reliable Hybrid In 2025 Starts At $104,250
If you’re wondering how much the most reliable hybrid you can buy costs, it ends up coming to $104,250 before any options. That might break the bank, but Lexus never set the LC Hybrid out to be a model that’s for everyone. This is a high-end, luxurious sports car that just happens to sport a hybrid powertrain. Sometimes, the unexpected happens, and that’s the case here, with the LC Hybrid sitting at the top as one of the most reliable cars in 2025.