Shopping for a used car can be a daunting experience. The choice of potential makes, models, and model years is endless, and it can be difficult to narrow your shortlist down to a handful of cars. One factor that is always near the top of the list when choosing a used car is reliability: while all used cars come with a certain amount of uncertainty regarding unexpected repairs, a car with a reputation for being reliable is much less likely to present you with a surprise bill a few months (or weeks) down the line.In this article we are looking at one particular brand: Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. Established in 1989, Lexus has expanded greatly since the turn of the millennium, releasing cars with a reputation for being stylish, reliable, and enjoyable to drive. We are focusing on one specific model, the IS, which was recently crowned as the most reliable Lexus currently on the market according to us here at CarBuzz. The IS’ previous model years can make an amazing addition to your garage if you’re shopping for a car on the used market, and for less than you might first think, too. The Lexus IS' Current Generation: An Overview LexusThe third current generation of the Lexus IS has had a very long lifespan, having been introduced for the 2014 model year. It had first been unveiled in concept form two years earlier, at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The production version arrived at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.Several variants of the IS went on sale in different markets around the world, with a wide range of powertrains available: the US lineup initially included the IS 250 and IS 350, while other variants like the IS 300 and IS 500 arrived later. Engine options ranged from an inline-four to a V6 and a V8, while the transmission lineup included a six-speed and eight-speed automatic. Customers could also choose between a RWD and AWD drivetrain.Lexus Although this generation has been on the market for a while, it has undergone several facelifts and upgrades over the years, as Lexus has made an effort to make the model look and feel as modern and up-to-date as possible. The most recent overhaul arrived in 2020, for the 2021 model year.The IS received new bodywork, new headlights and new taillights, as well as some mechanical upgrades such as an automatic electric parking brake which is now standard. Some changes were made to the interior, too, including an updated dashboard, cup-holders, and armrests.The current IS is on its last legs, which is why now is perhaps the perfect time to shine a spotlight on the seemingly evergreen previous iteration of the model. Older guises do look a little dated, but the facelifted models still hold their own, thanks in part to the upcoming revamp deviating very little in terms of styling. Infotainment, Tech And Safety Lexus The current generation of the Lexus IS is equipped with an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen as standard, while a 10.3-inch unit is available as an option. The latter also comes with in-dash navigation functions. While the touchscreen does most of the heavy lifting, there are plenty of physical controls such as knobs and buttons as well; one unusual characteristic that Lexus does not share with many other brands is the presence of a console-mounted touchpad.The system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; Amazon Alexa functionality is built in as well. In-car Wi-Fi keeps passengers connected while on the move. A 10-speaker sound system is offered as standard, while a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system is available as an optional upgrade.Lexus As far as safety features go, the IS is about as well-equipped as you would expect of a modern Lexus. The Lexus Safety System +2.5 package includes a host of advanced safety features, such as pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, steering assist, road sign assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Additional features, such as rear cross-traffic braking and a surround-view monitor, are available as options. The IS On The Used Market: Reliability And Pricing CarBuzz/Valnet The 2025 Lexus IS gained the title of most reliable Lexus model currently available on the market, according to CarBuzz’s reliability ranking. The other model years from the current generation have an equally good reputation. For the purposes of this article, we’re going to look at past model years that came after the IS’ most recent major facelift: 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024. All have received a JD Power Quality and Reliability score of 88/100, with the exception of the 2022 model, for which the score spiked up to 92/100.The 2021 model had no recalls associated with it and just a single complaint, regarding a defective oil housing cap. The 2022 model year had a few more complaints, bringing the total to five; the complaints focused on engine, suspension, and bodywork issues. Once again, however, no recalls were issued. For 2023, we find two complaints about an engine issue and a problem with a breaking moonroof. In 2024, we find a single complaint, also about breaking glass: this time, not the moonroof, but one of the windows. Neither 2023 nor 2024 had any recalls. The overall picture for the IS’ recent model years is one of strong reliability, highly encouraging for prospective buyers looking for one on the used market.Of course, having only spent a few short years on the road, the number of complaints and recalls currently lodged against these facelifted IS models isn't a conclusive reliability overview, but it is a positive indicator. As owners continue to pile the miles on, and as the years continue to roll on by, a more conclusive picture will form of what true long-term ownership is like. However, consider that the 2021 model still looks impressively dependable today, so there should be no reason why a 2024 or 2025 model cannot offer three to four years of trouble-free motoring, just as the older model years have.CarBuzz/Valnet How Much Will A Used IS Set Me Back? In terms of price ranges, cars from the 2021-2024 period are available from around the $15,000 mark, for older, base-trim examples with a higher mileage and in poorer condition, to around $50,000 for more recent, higher trim examples with fewer miles and in better shape. The best value is around the $30,000 mark.For that, you can get a 2022 IS 350 V6 with 50,000 miles on the clock. That's nothing for such a robust engine. For comparison, the 2025 IS boasted a starting price of $40,435. Sure, buying new provides unbeatable peace of mind, with just delivery miles on the clock and a full warranty in your name, but if you can save thousands of dollars and still enjoy years of trouble-free motoring, why wouldn't you? $10,000 buys you a lot of gas and tires The Runner-Up: The Lexus ES LexusThe car that won second place in the CarBuzz reliability rating was the 2025 Lexus ES, a model that belongs to the ES’ seventh generation. This car has accumulated no complaints and no recalls so far, placing it immediately behind the IS in our ranking. This generation is going out of production from the 2026 model year onwards, to be replaced with the upcoming eighth-gen model.The Lexus ES’s current generation has not been around quite as long as the IS’, having been introduced for the 2019 model year. Three powertrains are available: a 2.0-liter inline-four, a 2.5-liter inline-four, and a 3.5-liter V6. A hybrid option added a single electric motor to the 2.5-liter engine. Transmission options include a six-speed and eight-speed automatic, a CVT, and an eCVT.The seventh-gen ES received its first substantial facelift for the 2022 model year; we’re going to take a look at used examples from 2022, 2023, and 2024 for our reliability assessment. The 2022 ES had a JD Power Quality and Reliability rating of 87/100, which dipped down to 85/100 for the following year, and then shot back up to 88/100 for the 2024 model.Lexus In terms of recalls and complaints, the 2022 model had 10 complaints to its name, plus one recall specific to the 300h hybrid version (concerning an airbag fault). For 2023, we find just four complaints and one recall regarding a faulty rear-view camera. Finally, the 2024 model has six complaints attached to it, and is also affected by the rear-view camera recall. Overall, the post-facelift ES also makes an excellent used buy in terms of reliability.The ES is a little pricier than the IS, both as a new proposition and as a used model, but not by heaps. A few extra thousand dollars will not your the IS' bigger brother, which as standard comes with an overall more premium impression, in addition to a little more room inside, and some slightly swankier touches on the exterior.Whether you opt for an ES or an IS, choosing a used Lexus from a fairly recent model year is a great way to secure a reliable, safe vehicle without breaking the bank. Both models have an excellent reliability record, and Lexus has a strong reputation for quality; the features available in recent models are comparable to those of a new car, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out on the latest tech.Sources: Lexus, AutoTempest, J.D. Power, NHTSA.
