A lot of the time, luxury sedans don’t enjoy the same sort of rugged dependability as some of their hatchback and mainstream counterparts; according to RepairPal, the average reliability rating for a full-size luxury car is 2.5 out of 5. With the likes of BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Alfa Romeo, and Audi all offering some of the market’s favorite four-door luxury models, we aren’t surprised the average rating is not as high as it could be.
However, we shouldn’t tar the whole market with the same brush; there are a lot of reliable used luxury sedans that deserve your attention. One in particular, made by the ever-hardy Lexus, is nearly unstoppable. You can buy this Lexus sedan for under $20,000; it has some of the highest reliability ratings ever put against a modern car, a smooth-running V6 sits under the hood, and it is very plush inside. It is a fully dependable luxury package.
The 2017 Lexus ES 350 Is Available For Less Than $20,000
And It’s Rated Very Highly For Reliability
At only eight years old, the 2017 Lexus ES 350 has dropped in price from its original MSRP of just shy of $40,000 to a sub-$20,000 price tag. Alongside a classy interior and exterior build, a decent number of tech features, high rates of reliability, and a rock-solid engine, the ES 350 is an eight-year-old luxury sedan that does not look or feel dated today.
Owners On J.D. Power & KBB Agree With How Reliable It Is
According to data on RepairPal, the Lexus ES 350 has an average reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, making it the third most reliable mid-sized luxury car they monitor. They have also said that the probability of a repair being severe is just six percent, way below the mid-size luxury market’s 12 percent probability.
The regular battery needed replacing when the car was over 7 years old. Never had a car battery last that long. That was my only “repair” cost other than the usual maintenance with new tires, wheel alignment, and oil change. Words cannot express how comfortable and reliable this car is.
– Lexus ES 350 Owner review on Kelley Blue Book
This trustworthy sentiment has also been echoed by owners who have left a review on J.D. Power and Kelley Blue Book. Owners on Kelley Blue Book have given the 2017 ES 350 a reliability rating of 4.9 out of 5, while owners on J.D. Power have given it a quality and reliability score of 96 out of 100. This is one of the highest-rated luxury vehicles (in terms of reliability) we have seen. Being the luxury arm of the bulletproof Toyota certainly has its perks.
2017 Lexus ES 350 Pricing
There are two models of the 2017 Lexus ES lineup: the ES 350 and the ES 350h. Both were reasonably priced to start with, but a fairly sizable rate of depreciation has made them a real bargain. The ES 350h (hybrid) had an original starting price of just under $45,000 and is now being sold for around $19,500. It is the 2017 Lexus ES 350, though, which has been rated the highest for reliability by owners and boasts a relatively powerful and smooth-acting NA V6, which we are taking a look at. Today, you can pick up a 2017 Lexus ES 350 for the average used price of $19,087.
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2017 Lexus ES 350 |
|
|---|---|
|
Engine |
3.5-Liter V6 |
|
Horsepower |
268 Horsepower |
|
Torque |
246 LB-FT |
As we find with a lot of Lexus sports cars and sedans, speed is not the order of the day. The ES 350’s rest-to-60 time of around 7.1 seconds is not exactly mind-blowing, but the ride is refined and more in line with luxury cruising than it is in line with face-melting sprints.
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What Makes The Lexus ES 350 So Dependable?
Lexus has always enjoyed a relatively dependable reputation, so that has something to do with why the 2017 ES 350 is dependable. However, back in 2017, Lexus’ average problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) was slightly above the market average of 97 PP100, at 98 PP100. That still isn’t bad, everything considered, but noticeably worse than how Lexus models fare today, with a reported 140 PP100, way below the 2025 market average of 202 PP100. Today, this puts them in the top position out of all brands. The 2017 ES 350 is something special, though, and two main areas make it so dependable: its engine and Lexus’s eye for detail.
The V6 Under The 2017 ES 350’s Hood
At the heart of the ES 350 is the 3.5-liter 2GR-FE V6, a 24-valve, DOHC, dual-VVT-i, timing-chain-equipped machine that is potentially one of the most reliable engines ever created. The 2GR-FE is part of the Toyota 2GR engine family and is utilized in everything from the ES and the Camry to the RX. It is a battle-tested beast, and many owners have claimed to have put over 200,000 miles on it with just simple maintenance.
The 2GR-FE is renowned for its dependability thanks to the use of a timing chain instead of a belt, which means no periodic swaps and relatively fuss-free driving (providing you keep on top of maintenance). The aluminum block and DOHC setup are robust without being overly heavy; the VVT-i system helps to maintain smoothness when flooring it, which helps to keep some of the internals and gubbings intact, and because under the hood of the ES 350, it only cranks out 268 horsepower, it isn’t placed under a huge amount of strain all the time.
In other words, it is well-built, powerful enough for a little spirited driving, and being built by Lexus/Toyota generally means that it is built with a keen eye for detail and built well. The 2GR-FE V6 is not a track weapon engine, and has come to earn a reputation for ‘set-it-and-forget-it.’ It is not about an outrageous power output, but it is about a smooth, long life.
Takumi Mastery At Its Absolute Best
You can’t mention Lexus reliability without mentioning the Takumi Masters that Lexus works with. These individuals have spent years honing their craft and are instrumental to most things that we love about Lexus models: precision and understated yet nearly unbeatable build quality.
Takumi Masters fine-tune aspects of the build like the steering and suspension balance, originally making sure that every 2017 ES 350 drives the way it should; in turn, minimizing any unnecessary wear and tear on components. They would also have checked panel alignment, door sealing, interior fit, and, of course, the engine. They are vital in casting a keen eye with years of experience and irreplaceable instinct over each part of the build.
Their touch also reaches the smaller details. Climate control components, seat motors, switches, and insulation placement all get the level of attention that most marques just don’t stack up to. One owner has claimed to have put over 279,000 miles on their 2017 ES 350, courtesy of regular oil changes and proper maintenance all around, but if that doesn’t say something special about Lexus and their partnership with Takumi Masters, we don’t know what does.
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The Serene Luxury Of The 2017 Lexus ES 350
It is well-established that the eight-year-old ES 350 can last the miles, but if you are in the market for a used luxury sedan, you are going to want something comfortable and plush to sit in. Thankfully, this $20,000 used luxury model still looks good today. In typical Lexus fashion, the cabin isn’t shouty or in-your-face; it is calm, very nicely put together, and comfortable. Owners who have left a review on Kelley Blue Book have rated the ES 350 4.7 out of 5 for comfort, while the overall J.D. Power owner rating of 88 out of 100 includes a driving experience rating of 82 out of 100 (which incorporates a comfort rating).
Tech And Features That Aren’t Too Out Of Date
The cabin of the ES 350 is both comfortable and relatively modern for its age and how fast the market moves. The cabin seats up to five people with generous head and legroom across both rows; seating is trimmed in NuLuxe synthetic leather as standard, though there are used examples that are kitted out with real leather seats, and wood or piano black cabin trim finishes are available. Plus, features such as 10-way power-adjustable front seats, dual-zone air conditioning, a power tilt-and-slide moonroof, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a stylish analog clock give the whole design a luxe and comfortable feel.
On the tech side of things, it is first worth noting that the 2017 ES 350 doesn’t come equipped with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, which is frustrating if you’ve become accustomed to it. However, you do get an eight-inch infotainment that is controlled by Lexus’s ‘Remote Touch’ controller on the center console, USB ports, HD radio, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and a multi-info display in the instrument cluster.
Most details inside are finished finely with precise stitching and very tight-fitting; the sound insulation is impressive at speed; the seats are comfortable, and there is enough tech to keep most drivers happy. All in all, the ES 350 still won’t feel out of place on today’s roads, unless you want Apple or Android connectivity.
Everyday Usability In Lexus-Grade Ways
The ES 350 only measures in at 193.3 inches (L) x 71.1 inches (W) x 57.1 inches (H), and rides on a 111-inch wheelbase, so it is not like the road tanks that are roaming about today. This doesn’t mean you miss out on lots of space inside, though. Plus, outside of being very reliable, another perk of being Toyota’s luxury arm is that convenience and everyday use are generally well-thought-out.
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Front Headroom |
Front Legroom |
Rear Headroom |
Rear Legroom |
|---|---|---|---|
|
37.5 Inches |
41.9 Inches |
37.5 Inches |
40 Inches |
The ES 350 boasts an easy-to-navigate front row for you as the driver, with everything in easy reach; rear seat passengers get a folding center armrest with cupholders, and one-touch power windows are included. On top of that, rear-seat passengers get their own AC vents; there is plenty of space for long journeys over both rows, and it boasts a maximum cargo capacity of 15.7 cubic feet. If there is one bugbear about the interior, it is that the rear seats don’t have a 60/40 split; instead, you get a small pass-through for longer items.
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Owning A 2017 Lexus ES 350 And Running Costs
88 percent of owners who left a review on Kelley Blue Book (out of 130 reviewers) recommended buying a 2017 Lexus ES 350; it boasts some of the highest reliability ratings we have seen for a used luxury sedan; the engine under the hood is one of the most reliable engines from the last two decades, and it doesn’t feel out-of-date behind the wheel. However, this being a Lexus means that it is not where the good news ends. The ES 350 is also relatively cheap to keep on the road.
According to data on CarEdge, the Lexus ES 350 has an average five-year cost of just over $49,000; this is low compared to the ES 350’s main rivals like the Cadillac CT5 ($57,181 over five years) and the Audi A6 ($71,792 over five years). Obviously, we are past the five-year mark now, but running costs, both in terms of gas costs and maintenance bills, are estimated to be still reasonable for its class.
FuelEconomy.gov says that the 2017 ES 350 can achieve a combined mpg rating of 24 mpg (21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway). They estimate that you can fill the 17.2-gallon tank for approximately $52, which should see you good for 413 miles. Annual fuel costs are estimated to be $1,900, which means that over five years, it is estimated that you will spend around $1,500 more on gas compared to the average modern vehicle.
While fuel costs aren’t horrendous, what marks the ES 350 out as being a very smart buy in the luxury market is its low annual maintenance costs. According to RepairPal, the average yearly maintenance bill for an ES 350 is $468. That makes it way cheaper than the average luxury vehicle’s annual bill of $739, and still a fair amount cheaper than the average $652 annual bill for all vehicle models. Overall, we think the 2017 Lexus ES 350 is a great choice for a used luxury sedan; it is cheap to buy today, it still feels luxurious, it is cheap to run, and it can last forever with proper care.
Sources: J.D. Power, RepairPal, Kelley Blue Book, and FuelEconomy.gov.