When it comes to finding a new car, reliability is one of the most important attributes to consider. The cost of living in the US is as high as ever, which means having to spend a fortune keeping your wheeled companion on the road is as unwelcome as sharing a hot tub with a Great White shark. There are, however, ways around being burned by regular maintenance costs. Opting for something Japanese is a smart strategy, since the nation has a tendency to produce dependable machinery.
As it turns out, you may be best suited to purchase one of the more luxurious crossover SUVs on the market. Luxury cars aren’t usually renowned for being inexpensive to run on a daily basis, but a certain Lexus goes against the grain.
The Lexus RX Earns An 85/100 Reliability Score – Despite Being A Luxury SUV
Front quarter view of 2024 Lexus RX in copper with forest backdropLexus
TheLexus RXlooks to be one of the most reliable crossover SUVs on the market, despite being classed as more of a luxury vehicle than smaller and cheaper SUVs like theHonda CR-Vor itsToyota RAV4sibling. The key here is that, while theLexus benefits from higher-end cabin materials and additional features, all of the mechanical components underneath are pure Toyota. That means, unlike something more exotic like a Bentley or Mercedes-Benz, you won’t have to pay a fortune to have all the components replaced. Well, not to the same level at least.
This is supported by JD Power, which awarded the 2024 version a strong 85/100 score in the brand’s Quality and Reliability ranking. We’re using 2024 models for this comparison, as we have more data to work with; 2025 and 2026 vehicles are too new to yield longer-term reliability information.
On that subject, the machine also performed well with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 2024 variant has been subject to only three recalls so far, illustrating that the vehicles are leaving the factory with few major problems that affect safety. This is further supported by the fact that the organization has received only a single complaint to date, showing just how few problems owners have encountered. Given that around 34,000 RX350hs were sold in the US that year, this is a remarkably strong figure.
Over 10 Years, The RX350h Costs $6,500 Less To Maintain Than The Average SUV
Rear quarter charging shot of a 2025 Lexus RX 450h+ Plug-In HybridLexus
The good news doesn’t end there, either. According to CarEdge, owners can expect to spend around $2,701 to keep the car properly maintained over five years, a figure that increases to $7,840 over a 10-year stretch. The latter is $6,515 better than the industry average, putting the vehicle’s commanding dependability into sharp relief. There is also only a 21.14% chance of a major problem afflicting the vehicle over a decade of service, which is 19.95% better than the SUV average.
As if more evidence of the Lexus RX350h’s dependability were needed, Lexus also topped the JD Power Vehicle Dependability Survey in 2026 for the second straight year. It finished solidly ahead of second-place Buick as well, which demonstrates that the impressive dependability of the RX350h is no fluke. Of course, these numbers are useless without something to compare them to, so we’ll give you some.
The Honda CR-V Is Strong, But The Lexus Is Tougher
2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport side angle in green while parkedHonda
The closest rival to the RX350h is the 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, which managed to secure an impressive 84/100 Quality and Reliability score from JD Power. It also performed well from a recall standpoint, with three issued by Honda as of the time of writing, the same number as the RX. While the Lexus’ recalls are more quality-related, the CR-V’s tell a story of an SUV that, while still quite reliable, isn’t quite as robust as the RX350h mechanically.
While the RX has been recalled for faulty headrests, a malfunctioning rear camera display, and a potentially damaged second-row seatbelt, the CR-V has been affected by issues with its fuel pump and steering system. While the former could cause a fire if not sorted, the latter will cause steering difficulty, which drastically raises the chance of you losing control.
Alongside these more serious recalls, the CR-V has also generated 83 NHTSA complaints from owners. The vast majority of these indicate problems with the vehicle’s engine and fuel system, suggesting that owners could face more repair visits than they would with an RX350h.
Continuing this trend, CarEdge estimates that there is a 21.74% chance that the car will suffer a major problem over a decade of use, putting it slightly behind the Lexus. It should cost a little less over the time period, however, at an estimated maintenance bill of $7,636. The Honda undoubtedly performs well overall, but the Lexus looks to be the more solid of the two when it comes to long-term dependability. Honda’s 16th-place finish in the 2026 JD Power VDS does little to help the CR-V’s case, either.
But the CR-V isn’t the most surprising challenger here — the Lexus RX shares its mechanicals with the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, a car that costs $20,000 less. If they’re built from the same bones, can the cheaper option match the luxury SUV on reliability?
The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Costs $20K Less – But Still Can’t Quite Match The RX On Reliability
Toyota
If you’re looking to buy a reliable car that won’t break the bank, the safest choice has always been to spend your money on something sporting a Toyota badge. The compact crossover RAV4 Hybrid, which is a little smaller than the midsize RX, is one of the best-performing Toyota models in terms of reliability, earning a JD Power Quality and Reliability score of 80/100.
While a little lower than the RX350h, CarEdge estimates it will cost around $6k to maintain over a decade of service. It should be noted that the 2024 Toyota RAV4 differs from the newly released 2026 model, whose reliability credentials are not yet established given how recently it launched.
Few problems have been reported to the NHTSA as well, with just a single complaint and recall issued thus far. As a result, despite not scoring quite as well as the other vehicles against one of the biggest names in automotive quality research, it stands out as a truly excellent option for buyers who prefer not to spend at the Lexus price point.
The Lexus RX Is Dependable, But Expensive When It Goes Wrong
2026 Lexus RX 350 Premium AWD front 3/4Lexus
When factoring in all the evidence presented, the Lexus RX350h comes out on top, despite being the largest and heaviest of the three vehicles. This is at least when focusing on how often the car will develop a fault, as, despite this advantage, owners should expect to spend more to keep it running compared to the other two. This is because, even though it may end up in the garage less than either the Honda or Toyota, it’ll cost more to repair when it does go in, thanks to Lexus parts costing more.
One thing you won’t need to worry about, though, is depreciation. Even though luxury cars tend to shed more of their initial value than lower-end vehicles, Lexus is so dependable and well-regarded that it breaks the mold. CarEdge reports that all three SUVs covered here will lose around 46% of their initial value over a five-year period, though the total dollar value lost is naturally higher for the more expensive Lexus. Whereas the RX loses around $24,000 of its value during that time, the cheaper options are worth around $16k less apiece.
Due to its greater weight, it’s also likely that servicing costs will be higher, as components like brakes and tires will wear out faster than those on lighter vehicles. Over such a long period, though, it’s unlikely that these figures will prove transformative, and the reduction in inconvenience that comes from not having to be without a car will likely outweigh the added cost. Toyota has clearly invested where it matters with its more premium models, like the RX350h, to ensure that while they cost more to fix, they are less likely to suffer a serious failure and leave owners stranded.
You may still have to spend more money to buy and run the Lexus compared to its more affordable rivals, but if you want a car that won’t let you down when it matters most, the extra expenditure could prove to be well worth it.
Sources: CarEdge, Honda, J.D Power, Lexus, NHTSA, Toyota.
