The Lexus RX is now in its fifth generation, however, the fourth-generation model is still sold locally and will be replaced in the near future. Is the outgoing model expensive to maintain, though?
Offering a left-field hybrid option within the mid-size luxury SUV segment, the Lexus RX is an often forgotten and indeed, an underrated contender. Is this model expensive to maintain, though?
It is difficult to determine the exact costs of repairing a Lexus RX since each dealership has different labour and parts price rates. We will be using the AA Spare Parts Guide, which compares the Kwid with several key rivals, making it simple to determine whether it is expensive to maintain or not.
The 2021 AA Spare Parts Pricing Guide
The AA Spare Parts Pricing report is an incredibly useful tool, as it allows you to compare the cost of ownership with various products across several segments with models that they compete with.
The cars in the AA Spare Parts Pricing Guide were evaluated in 3 departments: service parts, maintenance parts, and body repair parts. Service parts relate to the standard service consumables, while maintenance parts are the long-term ownership items that require periodic inspection, maintenance or replacement, and body repair parts indicate how much it would cost to replace body panels in the event of a collision.
In the latest (2021) report, the RX’s parts pricing basket is compared with key rivals such as the BMW X5, Audi Q7, Land Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Lexus RX 450h SE
Looking at the servicing costs of the RX, the little Lexus is the most affordable, with the RX’s basket totalling R10 504.97, beating-out BMW’s X5 which has a price of R12 749.23. The Mercedes-Benz GLE is the most expensive to service, with a total price of R6 078.26.
The maintenance parts section sees another victory for the Lexus, with the RX being the cheapest to maintain, with a basket price of R32 062.41 and the X5 being second again, with a basket price of R38 166.07, with the Mercedes-Benz being the most expensive again, with a basket totalling R124 084.67.
The body repair section sees the RX in third place, with a total of R338 889.74, with the BMW X5 being the most expensive with a total of R369 638.64. The most affordable model in terms of body repair parts is the Land Rover Defender, with a total of R253 300.69. In total, the Lexus RX is the third cheapest model to maintain within its segment, with its total parts basket being R381 457.13 or 26.25% of its list price in 2021.
Verdict
The RX performs admirably in both the service and maintenance areas, however, its more expensive body part replacement figures see it as moderately expensive to maintain.
Keyword: Is the Lexus RX expensive to maintain?