Reliability is probably the most important feature, if not the only one, when you’re looking at a used car. Chances are that you’re going to get a purchase bargain, especially in the luxury segment, but one unreliable drivetrain, finicky electronics, or a Christmas tree of warning lights will erase purchase savings in a hurry. Unforeseen repairs and the resultant diagnostic roulette and prolonged downtime can turn “cheap” into “exorbitant” really quickly. That’s why savvy used buyers start with durability.
Luxury cars amplify the noise because they depreciate into bargain buys after just a few years of life, but their hardware never gets cheaper. New luxury car prices reflect premium parts and specialized servicing, and they often demand premium fuel to keep engines in peak form. Those ownership costs follow you for the life of the vehicle, and through the magic of inflation, they usually climb as the miles roll away. Keeping ownership costs low is the basis of reliability, and these Japanese cars deliver in spades.
The models in this list have been extensively researched to ensure the most accurate information possible as of the time of publishing. Models are listed in ascending order from least to most reliable.
2007 Infiniti M35
Reliability Score: 86/100
The 2007 Infiniti M35 has a solid reputation for performance and also for strong owner-reported Quality & Reliability, earning a “Great” score from J.D. Power, reflecting fewer owner-reported defects and malfunctions across powertrain, electronics, and interior systems compared with its many peers from all countries. Despite a sound expectation of trouble-free daily use, it does have known potential gremlins, such as occasional documented steering rack and idle issues.
Infiniti M35 Reliability
Over generations, the often-overlooked Infiniti M typically earns respectable real-world reliability marks. RepairPal rates the model at 3.5 stars (out of five), putting it above average, but only slightly, though that is good enough to place it sixth among 30 large luxury sedans. CarEdge forecasts maintenance costs for models still on active duty, so you have to fall back on average Infiniti costs of ownership over 10 years (which is marginally better than luxury rivals), with a 33 percent chance of major repairs.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $463 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $11,836 (CarEdge)
- 2007 Recalls: 5
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2006
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2010 Lexus HS 250h
Reliability Score: 86/100
The 2010 Lexus HS 250h earns a “Great” J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score, showing solid owner satisfaction. Owners praise proven Toyota engineering and hybrid systems, durable interior quality, and bulletproof longevity through regular maintenance. However, there are documented hybrid system quirks and electrical gremlins, and those tend to multiply with age, though staying on top of things as they crop up will prolong the lifespan and satisfaction with the car.
2010 Lexus HS 250h Reliability
Lexus was hoping the HS 250h would become the prestige brand’s Toyota Prius, but it only stuck around for three years as Lexus expanded hybrids throughout its established model lines. Generally, the Lexus HS 250h is average, with RepairPal giving it 3.5 stars and placing it nearly dead center among luxury compacts. CarEdge, though, estimates Lexus maintenance and repair costs at about 40 percent lower than the luxury-brand average, and its chance of major repairs at just under 19 percent, over 10 years.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $371 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,110 (CarEdge)
- 2010 Recalls: 7
- Worst Year To Buy Used: N/A (all 3 model years were equal)
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2013 Acura ILX
Reliability Score: 87/100
The 2013 Acura ILX posts mixed Quality & Reliability scores in J.D. Power owner surveys, with the 2013 model returning its highest rating, despite the general consensus that it was also the model’s least favorable year (maybe because it was first?). Owners praised its proven engineering and durable construction, which meant fewer trips to the shop and generally lower ownership costs. Most of its issues are minor, though there are known gearbox quirks and reports of poor ride quality.
2013 Acura ILX Reliability
Derived from the Honda Civic, the Acura ILX was one long nine-year generation that also included a hybrid and ceased in 2022 (though Canada had Civic badge-engineered versions dating back to 1997). RepairPal pegs its repair costs at about $50 more than the Civic, rating it near perfect at 4.5 stars, out of five, and placing it second on the list of 17 compact luxury cars. CarEdge estimates Acura’s 10-year maintenance costs at about 25 percent lower than the luxury-car average, but the Acura Integra (which replaces the ILX in 2023) has lower projected costs still.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $440 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,414 (CarEdge)
- 2013 Recalls: 6
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2013
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2015 Lexus CT 200h
Reliability Score: 88/100
The 2015 Lexus CT 200h was an early attempt to create an affordable, efficient entry point to the Lexus lineup, and though generally reliable, it never caught on as a Lexus. Still, it earns “Great” Quality & Reliability marks from J.D. Power, mostly because of its Toyota engineering, build quality, and hybrid architecture. Despite its reputation for faithful service and low unplanned repairs, with many owners exceeding high mileage through regimented routine service, it does throw up red flags with head-gasket and EGR issues.
Lexus CT 200h Reliability
Powered by the smallest engine ever put in a luxury car, the Lexus CT 200h only lasted one generation (2011–2017), as Lexus found a better strategy in hybridizing its core models (ES, LS, and RX, mostly). Still, it’s rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by RepairPal (making it the top luxury compact), and though individual Lexus CT 200h ownership cost estimates are no longer tracked, CarEdge projects it to fall in line with the Lexus brand trend, with better-than-average luxury-segment maintenance costs and low major-repair projections.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $458 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,110 (CarEdge)
- 2015 Recalls: 0
- Worst Years To Buy Used: 2011–2013
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2008 Acura RL
Reliability Score: 90/100
Replacing the marvelous Legend was Acura’s flagship sedan, and the 2008 Acura RL today continues to deliver strong real-world quality and reliability, breaking into the 90th percentile with “Great” marks in J.D. Power owner surveys. Its Honda V-6 is one of the classic engines of all time, and its all-wheel drivetrain helps make the combination one of the longest-lived platforms on the market. Things to watch for in the RL include aging sensor-related warnings and airbag system quirks, though they’re few and far between.
Acura RL Reliability
A pioneer in the Japanese luxury sedan segment, the Acura RL generally posts solid owner reliability, thanks to Honda’s meticulous R&D emphasis on durable powertrains and conservative engineering. RepairPal ranks it top of the luxury full-size class (though it’s borderline full-size), and gives it four out of five stars. Like its Lexus rivals, the Acura 10-year maintenance cost projection is about 25 percent lower than the luxury brand average, with a 26 percent chance of major repairs over that timespan.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $497 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $8,414 (CarEdge)
- 2008 Recalls: 6
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2005
2011 Lexus GS
Reliability Score: 90/100
The 2011 Lexus GS posts strong Quality & Reliability marks in J.D. Power surveys, with owners reporting fewer defects and malfunctions than many midsize luxury rivals (though it’s at the top end of that size designation). Data shows sound mechanical durability and manageable repairs, with common real-world issues being the occasional electronic gremlins or accessory-related quirks, but check that the major recall actions have been addressed.
Lexus GS Reliability
A structurally sound and classy luxury sedan, the Lexus GS generally maintains good reliability, with the 2011 model bucking the trend of first-year growing pains. RepairPal gives the GS four stars and ranks it third of the 30 cars in the full-size luxury segment. CarEdge doesn’t break down specific GS costs, but considers it in line with the Lexus average that comes in below the luxury brand average, with less than a 20 percent chance that it will need a major repair over 10 years.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $537 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,110 (CarEdge)
- 2011 Recalls: 3
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2006
2011 Lexus IS
Reliability Score: 90/100
The 2011 Lexus IS earns a “Great” reputation in J.D. Power Quality & Reliability ratings, reflecting few reported defects and malfunctions. Besides its sports sedan rear-wheel drivetrain, owners routinely praise its engineering and straightforward mechanicals that keep ownership predictable. As with other used Lexus products, you won’t find much wrong with the IS‘s powertrain, but there are the usual electronics gremlins and safety system quirks.
Lexus IS Reliability
The Lexus IS is often a memory, but RepairPal predicts it should be a consideration, with few unscheduled repairs compared to its rivals, ranking it seventh among its 31 midsize luxury sedan peers (though it is at the bottom end of the segment, sizewise), and gives it four stars. CarEdge ranks its 10-year maintenance costs about a third below that of the luxury sedan average, and estimates its chance of requiring a major repair in that time at a very low 15.6 percent, which is about 13 percent lower than its rivals.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $452 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,891 (CarEdge)
- 2011 Recalls: 7
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2007
2024 Lexus LC
Reliability Score: 92/100
The Lexus LC coupe/convertible is a relatively new addition to the Lexus lineup, which means it hasn’t built an iron-clad reputation for reliability, though what can be ascertained has been stellar. It’s also a technological powerhouse, which means there is more potential for unforeseen and perhaps expensive repairs. Things to watch out for include infotainment glitches, for which Lexus has acquired a reputation, but those tend to be mostly insignificant in the general mechanical solidity of the LC.
The LC500 roars to life, with just the right amount of revs to make you feel like you’re about to embark on a special journey. It’s not a new engine, but damn, is it a great one.
– Garret Donahue for TopSpeed
Lexus LC Reliability
Since its 2018 launch as Lexus’s halo grand touring coupe/convertible, the Lexus LC has conveyed general satisfaction in J.D. Power’s owner surveys, which differs from typical prestige niche vehicles that don’t get a lot of owner feedback. There isn’t a lot of data from which RepairPal can extrapolate a model-specific ranking, so the site relies on the Lexus brand reputation, which is about average for cost and severity of repairs. CarEdge pegs its 10-year maintenance and repair costs nearly 40 percent lower than the luxury coupe average.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $551 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $7,334 (CarEdge)
- 2024 Recalls: 2
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2018
2011 Lexus LS
Reliability Score: 93/100
There aren’t many luxury sedans as good and reliable as the Lexus LS, but that also means that they’re held to a higher standard by their owners. Still, the 2011 version continues to be held in high esteem, and J.D. Power places it well above its contemporaries. Evident from Day One, the LS’s reputation for durability reflects the awesome V-8 and its meticulous build quality. Things to watch for include electronics and suspension components, both of which are common issues in large luxury sedans.
2011 Lexus LS Reliability
Lexus got the LS spot on for its introduction in 1990, making it a remarkable achievement because it was created from a clean sheet. The Lexus LS consistently ranks high in reliability metrics among luxury marques, with RepairPal ranking it in the top 10 among 30 large luxury sedans (but only awarding it three stars). CarEdge pegs 10-year maintenance costs at less than $7,000, which is remarkable for a large, sophisticated, flagship luxury sedan (though it’s likely expected for owners willing to shell out the premium purchase price).
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $703 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,661 (CarEdge)
- 2011 Recalls: 0
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2007
2017 Lexus ES
Reliability Score: 96/100
The Lexus ES is a fixture atop reliability lists, and the 2017 model is rated as close to perfect by owners as any vehicle can be. Its 96/100 Quality & Reliability score is tops in its segment and near the top of any segment, and it also ranks high in other independent reliability ratings. The main stumbling points for the Lexus ES are minor electronics or infotainment glitches, which is not surprising for a car that relies on engineering crossovers with the Toyota Camry and Prius.
Lexus ES Reliability
What’s most surprising about the reliability reputation of the Lexus ES is that it was originally just an add-on to the creation of the Lexus brand that revolved around the full-sized LS sedan you just read about. Adapted from the Camry platform, it was meant to satisfy the belief that you don’t launch a new brand with just one car, but the Lexus ES has grown into a rock in the entry luxury market, scoring a solid four stars from RepairPal, and predicted by CarEdge to cost less than $6,000 for maintenance over 10 years.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $468 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $5,926 (CarEdge)
- 2017 Recalls: 1
- Worst Year To Buy Used: 2007