UPDATE: 2026/06/26 02:55 EST BY SEAN MCMANUS
Results Show an American Brand Hot of Lexus’ Heels
We added more context on JD Power’s dependability study, including results for Buick and Toyota.
Every other luxury sedan is chasing turbocharged engines and hybrid systems, but America’s most dependable car just got updated with the same naturally aspirated V6 that’s been running since Obama was president.
But this isn’t Lexus isn’t being lazy. In actual fact, it’s being smart, as proven time and time again by the J.D. Power Ownership Survey.
A Reliable Workhorse With An Engine Over A Decade Old
2026 Lexus IS front 3/4 angle in grayLexus
2026 Lexus IS
Engine
3.5-liter V6
Power
311 hp
Torque
280 lb-ft
Transmission
8-speed automatic
0-60 mph
5.6 seconds (RWD) – 5.9 seconds (AWD)
Top Speed
143 mph
That 12-year-old engine is the 2GR-FKS, a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 that first debuted in 2014. While competitors swap engines every few years chasing power gains, Lexus has kept this exact powerplant because it works — and because replacing it would likely make the IS less reliable, not more.
The IS 350 is now one of the last naturally aspirated V6 sedans you can buy in America. While competitors went turbocharged for efficiency gains, Lexus stuck with natural aspiration for reliability — making the IS an endangered species that actually works better than its evolved competitors.
The third and current generation of the Lexus IS was introduced for the 2014 model year. It represented a major shift in design from its second-gen predecessor, with a larger grille, sharper, narrower headlights, and pointed tail lights that further contributed to its sleek appearance. The model has been given an update for 2026, the third during this generation (previous updates had been introduced for 2017 and 2021). The front fascia was reworked slightly, while the interior was upgraded with a mix of modern touchscreens and physical controls.
Some mechanical changes were also made. The steering was upgraded to adapt better to road conditions and speed, delivering a smoother driving experience. The suspension was also reworked for improved ride comfort and performance.
2026 Lexus IS rear 3/4 angle in grayLexus
While other markets around the world also get a version of the IS equipped with a 2.5-liter inline-four and a hybrid system (the IS 300h), in the US the only version available is the IS 350. In this version, power comes from a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine dubbed the 2GR-FKS, making the IS one of, if not the last naturally aspirated V6 sedan(s) left on the American market.
This engine produced is equipped with Toyota’s Dual VVT-i technology, which adjusts timing on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. It is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to either the rear wheels or all four wheels depending on configuration.
It is a part of Toyota’s wider GR engine family, a range of V6s that first made its debut in 2002. Although the 2GR-FKS is much younger than that, it’s still no spring chicken. It was first introduced in 2014 for the 2015 model year, not just in the Lexus IS but also in models such as the Toyota Tacoma, Lexus GS, and Lexus RX. The engine produces 311 hp in the 2026 IS. In other models, power output varies between 278 and 311 hp.
Reliability And Technology Can Co-Exist: The Lexus IS Tech
2026 Lexus IS Interior DashboardLexus
While the IS has a strong focus on reliability and does not stray far from its proven formula, that does not mean Lexus has not updated with the necessary tech to make it competitive in today’s automotive market. Part of the reason why the model has been able to remain on the market for so long is that Lexus has introduced a few necessary updates over the years, taking great care not to compromise the model’s core foundation that gave it its reliability.
As of this year, the IS is equipped with dual 12.3-inch touchscreens, one controlling the infotainment system and the other acting as a digital gauge cluster. In-dash navigation is included as standard, as is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mobile connectivity. A 10-speaker sound system is the standard option, but a 17-speaker Mark Levinson unit is also available for the audiophile on the move.
2026 Lexus IS FaceliftLexus
One feature you will not find on the IS, however, is over-the-air (OTA) updates. Over the past few years, many automakers have chosen to implement OTA updates, which (at least on the surface) are meant to be a smoother way of keeping an infotainment system up to date. However, they have also proven to be problematic in terms of bugs, glitches and other issues, which have affected some vehicles’ overall reliability profile (we’ll go into more detail on that later).
Why Does Automotive Tech Get Associated With Poor Reliability?
2026 Kia EV9 Apple CarPlay on the main touchscreenKia
The reason why the Lexus IS recipe works so well is because, according to the findings of the JD Power 2026 US Vehicle Dependability Study, more tech frequently equals less reliability. Lexus has chosen to include just enough tech features to keep the IS up to date, but not so many that it becomes prone to bugs and errors; as car technology is now a major source of poor reliability, this has proven to be a good choice.
Related
Vehicle Dependability Is At An All-Time Low, And Here Are The Main Culprits
A recent study reveals that cars are actually getting less reliable. Here are some of the reasons why.
Instead of becoming steadily more reliable through the years, as one might expect, modern cars are becoming less reliable thanks to a series of factors, of which onboard tech is one. While last year’s study showed an average of 202 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), that number is now 204, the highest recorded since the study started collecting data in 2022. Infotainment systems (and over-the-air updates) have proven to be a major culprit.
2027 Chevrolet Bolt wireless phone chargingChevrolet
Introduced gradually over the past 10 years or so, over-the-air updates were marketed as a better way of updating infotainment software without needing to visit a dealership or garage, preventing a vehicle’s onboard tech from quickly becoming obsolete. However, 58% of car owners involved in the study reported that the most recent software update carried out by their vehicle didn’t bring a noticeable improvement. A 14% increase in issues was also associated with this feature.
Mobile phone connectivity features, which the IS does have in the form of Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, have also been revealed to have a strong connection to poor reliability. The study revealed a group of four mobile connectivity features (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, built-in Bluetooth, OEM app connectivity, and wireless charging) were collectively responsible for 24.2 problems per 100 vehicles, nearly half of infotainment-related issues.
2026 Lexus IS FaceliftLexus
To put it simply, more sophisticated features increase the likelihood of something going wrong. As customers continue to demand more technology in their vehicles, automakers will need to find a balance between producing high-tech vehicles and continuing to offer reliability.
IS Ownership Still Might Not Be Totally Problem-Free
2024 Lexus IS 300 Silver Front Driving on a BridgeLexus
While the reliability and dependability of the IS 350’s engine is certainly impressive, that doesn’t buyers are guaranteed an ownership experience totally devoid of issues. Of course, the 2026 model hasn’t had a chance to rack up any real-world reliability feedback, but prospective buyers can look back at feedback left on the previous model to deduce what issues could rear their ugly heads on the latest iteration. Logged complaints of the previous generation include:
- Airbag issues
- Excessive tire wear
- Various smaller electrical concerns
- Unintended acceleration
The most important concern to address is the airbag issue. This is part of the wider Takata airbag recall which affected millions of models, and for buyers of newer IS models that’s good news, as it’s only the first two years of the previous-gen IS that are affected. Smaller issues include excessive tire wear, specifically to the inner edge of the tires, and unintended acceleration. Only a handful of complaints of this nature have been logged though, so such concerns are far from being serious red flags, but something to watch out for nonetheless.
As cars get more and more advanced, electrical issues are becoming a more common cause for concern. It’s only minor stuff, like infotainment glitches and the like, which is perhaps tolerable on a used car. However, if similar concerns crop up on the new 2026 model, that’s a different matter, and it’s small frustrations like this that could quickly put a dampener on the whole experience.
What Else Did The JD Power Dependability Study Reveal?
2026 Infiniti QX80 side angle in black while parkedJared Rosenholtz/CarBuzz/Valnet
The relationship between automotive technology and reliability was not the only focus of the JD Power Dependability Study. It also revealed a few more insights into the modern automotive market, and what vehicle categories are going through a difficult period at the moment.
Premium vehicles were put under the spotlight for a worrying trend on the reliability front: the average number of problems has risen by 8 PP100 throughout the past year, marking the sharpest increase since the beginning of the study in its current form in 2022. Mass-market vehicles are doing much better on that front, leaving premium vehicles behind in terms of reliability.
The most problematic aspects of premium vehicles include driving experience, controls, and displays. On the powertrain and seats front, however, mass-market vehicles perform worse than premium ones.
2020 Honda ClarityHonda
Hybrids are also a major area of focus; more specifically, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), which have been identified as more prone to issues than other electrified powertrains. PHEVs registered a year-on-year increase of 39 PP100, with battery electric vehicles and non-PHEV hybrids experiencing a smaller increase. Meanwhile, the dependability of gas-powered cars actually improved. The reliability aspect is definitely one for automakers to keep in mind as they work on electrifying their lineups over the next few years.
For the time being, it seems like Lexus has managed to strike a good balance in the IS, between maintaining enough tried-and-true elements (such as the engine) to ensure reliability, and adding the necessary tech to make the model appealing to modern buyers. Now in its 12th model year, the IS is not showing signs of leaving the market anytime soon, and for good reason.
Results Show an American Brand Hot on Lexus’ Heels
2024 – 2026 Buick Encore GX exterior detail shot of the trunk with Buick BadgeBuick
On the topic of what else the JD Power vehicle dependability is dredging up from the automotive industry, it’s somewhat shocking to see Buick catching up to Lexus in terms of fewer problems occurring in its new vehicles than other car brands. This isn’t totally new news; Buick has landed in the top three most dependable car brands in JD Power’s study for a few years. That said, this year’s results proved Buick is nearly as good as Lexus with only 160 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). That beats the industry average by 44 PP100. It also feels strange, since other General Motors brands are nowhere near the top.
Lexus might be at the top of the charts every year, as it should be, Toyota keeps slipping down the ladder. For reference, Toyota finished in second place with only 147 PP100 in 2024. In 2025, it landed in fourth place with 162 PP100, but this year it’s all the way in eighth place with 182 problems per 100 vehicles. It might be surprising to buyers and enthusiasts that Lexus and Toyota would be so split, but there’s some reasoning: it’s possible there are simply more Toyota buyers around to report issues, and those who buy Toyotas could treat them more harshly than a Lexus owner treats their car. Whatever the reason, we’re still impressed with Lexus’ ability to remain at the top of the reliability food chain.
Sources: Lexus, JD Power
