Are Lexus Expensive to Maintain? Experts Weigh In

Owning a luxury vehicle is a dream for many – the sleek styling, premium materials, and cutting-edge technologies represent the pinnacle of automotive engineering. However, along with the prestige and performance comes the potential for higher ownership costs, including maintenance and repairs. If you’re considering purchasing a Lexus, one of the most well-regarded luxury brands, you’re likely wondering: Are Lexus expensive to maintain?

In short, while Lexus maintenance costs are higher than mainstream non-luxury brands, they are among the lowest in the luxury vehicle segment. Experts consistently rank Lexus as one of the most reliable and affordable premium brands for maintenance and repairs.

This comprehensive guide will dive deep into the true costs of maintaining a Lexus, analyzing data and rankings from leading automotive experts and comparing Lexus to other luxury brands. We’ll cover average annual maintenance expenses, what services are included under the Lexus warranty, common repair costs to budget for, how Lexus compares to the competition, and provide tips to keep your ownership costs as low as possible.

What the Experts Say About Lexus Maintenance Costs

To understand the true costs of Lexus maintenance, we’ll start by looking at what the leading experts have to say based on their thorough analysis and data.

RepairPal Rankings and Cost Estimates

The repair cost estimators at RepairPal ranked Lexus as the sixth most reliable vehicle brand out of 32 brands evaluated, placing it ahead of mainstream brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and even its parent company Toyota. A key factor in this high ranking is Lexus’ low average annual maintenance cost of $551 – below the $652 national average across all models.

To put that $551 figure in perspective, RepairPal estimates the average annual maintenance cost for other luxury brands:

• BMW: $968
• Mercedes-Benz: $908

So while maintaining a Lexus does cost more than a mainstream brand, it’s significantly less expensive than other premium European marques.

Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own Analysis

The experts at Kelley Blue Book (KBB) named Lexus the winner of their 5-Year Cost to Own Best Brand award in both 2014 and 2019. This award factors in upfront pricing along with estimated maintenance, repairs, fuel costs, and resale value to determine overall ownership costs.

Here’s what KBB had to say about Lexus and its low cost of ownership:

“Lexus has an established record of offering vehicles that are desirable both new and used while delivering quality, reliability and low-cost operation across the board.”

Consumer Reports Study on 10-Year Maintenance Costs

While KBB’s analysis looked at 5-year costs, a 2017 study by Consumer Reports examined ownership costs over a 10-year period. Out of 32 brands ranked from least to most expensive, Lexus came in at #12 – still quite affordable compared to other luxury competitors.

To give you an idea of the cost discrepancy, Consumer Reports estimated that for a 2007 model year vehicle in its 10th year:

• Lexus maintenance cost: $590
• BMW maintenance cost (costliest brand): $1,125

Even after a decade of ownership, the estimated Lexus maintenance costs were nearly half that of BMW.

What’s Covered Under the Lexus Warranty?

One of the factors that helps keep Lexus maintenance costs manageable, especially in the first few years, is their comprehensive warranty coverage. New Lexus models come with the following warranties:

• Complimentary Maintenance: The first two scheduled maintenance visits at 6 months/5,000 miles and 12 months/10,000 miles are covered at no charge. This includes basic services like oil changes, tire rotations, and multi-point inspections.
• Basic New Vehicle Warranty: Covers repairs for defects in materials or workmanship for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
• Powertrain Warranty: Extends coverage for the engine, transmission, and other powertrain components to 6 years or 70,000 miles.
• Hybrid Warranty: Hybrid models get extended coverage for hybrid components up to 8 years or 100,000 miles (10 years/150,000 miles on 2020 and newer models).

In addition to these included warranties, Lexus also offers optional prepaid maintenance plans and extended warranty coverage that can be purchased to cover maintenance and repair costs beyond the initial warranties.

Common Lexus Repair Costs to Be Aware Of

Even with Lexus’ reputation for reliability, repair costs are an unavoidable part of vehicle ownership as components wear down over time and need replacement. Here are some examples of common repairs on popular Lexus models and their estimated costs from RepairPal:

Lexus RX 350:

• Water pump replacement: $911 to $1,067
• Cabin air filter replacement: $76 to $86
• Engine cover front gasket replacement: $2,025 to $2,513
• Air bag control module replacement: $650 to $681

Lexus ES 350:

• Radiator replacement: $911 to $1,047
• Windshield wiper arm replacement: $185 to $194
• Wheel hub replacement: $551 to $706
• Drive axle assembly leak inspection: $44 to $56

As you can see, even basic repairs like gaskets or pumps can run into the thousands on a Lexus due to higher parts and labor costs associated with luxury vehicles. However, RepairPal data shows that only 8% of Lexus repairs are for severe or major issues, compared to 12% across all models – a testament to their engineering quality.

How Lexus Maintenance Compares to Other Luxury Brands

Head-to-Head Comparisons for Specific Models

To get a clearer picture of how Lexus stacks up to the competition, let’s look at some head-to-head comparisons of 5-year maintenance and repair cost estimates from Edmunds for specific models:

2017 Lexus RX 350 vs:

• BMW X3: Lexus has a $4,084 lower 5-year maintenance/repair cost
• Mercedes-Benz GLC: Lexus is $5,354 cheaper over 5 years
• Acura MDX: MDX is $1,840 less than the RX 350
• Infiniti QX60: Lexus is $1,194 cheaper than Infiniti’s luxury SUV

For Lexus’ popular mid-size luxury SUV, it holds a clear cost advantage over European competition like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. However, mainstream luxury brands like Acura and Infiniti can undercut the RX on maintenance/repair costs somewhat.

Overall Maintenance Cost Rankings

Looking at overall brand rankings can also provide more context. In a 2016 study by YourMechanic featured in Popular Mechanics, Lexus ranked a stellar #28 out of 30 vehicle brands for average maintenance costs over 10 years of ownership.

The estimated 10-year Lexus maintenance cost? $7,000 – significantly lower than luxury European brands:

• BMW: $17,800
• Mercedes-Benz: $12,900
• Audi: $12,400

The only brands that managed to edge out Lexus on affordability were its sister Toyota brand at #29 and Scion at #30.

Tips to Keep Your Lexus Maintenance Costs Low

While Lexus models are already relatively affordable to maintain compared to other luxury marques, there are steps you can take as an owner to minimize your expenses even further:

1. Perform Basic Maintenance Yourself: Simple tasks like changing air filters, replacing windshield wipers, and topping off fluids can easily be done at home following your owner’s manual. This avoids dealer labor costs.
2. Only Use OEM Lexus Parts/Authorized Service Centers: While aftermarket parts are tempting to save money, they may not meet Lexus quality standards. Stick to genuine OEM parts and authorized service centers to avoid potential issues.
3. Consider a Pre-Paid Maintenance Plan: Lexus offers optional pre-paid maintenance plans that can be purchased to cover routine services and inspections for 2 years/20,000 miles up to 5 years/90,000 miles. While an added upfront cost, these plans provide price certainty and convenience.
4. Purchase an Extended Warranty: As your Lexus ages past its initial warranty periods, an extended warranty from Lexus or a third-party provider can help defray the costs of more expensive repairs down the road.
5. Follow the Recommended Maintenance Schedule: Adhering to Lexus’ prescribed maintenance schedule is the best way to catch small issues before they become bigger, costlier problems. This proactive approach saves money long-term.

When It Makes Sense to Buy an Extended Warranty

Speaking of extended warranties, these vehicle service contracts can be worthwhile investments for owners looking to lock in flat-rate coverage on repairs after a Lexus’ initial factory warranties expire. However, they do add upfront costs.

Evaluate your personal situation – if you plan on keeping your Lexus for longer than the basic 4-year/50,000-mile warranty period, purchasing an extended warranty starts to make more financial sense to protect against expensive repairs as the vehicle ages. Lexus’ extended plans are offered in various terms up to 8 years or 125,000 total miles of coverage.

Third-party vehicle service contracts from companies like Endurance, CarShield, and others are also an option to consider and may provide more affordable extended coverage than plans directly through Lexus.

Is the Higher Maintenance Cost of Lexus Worth It?

At the end of the day, only you can decide if the potential higher upfront and maintenance costs of a Lexus are worth it for your personal needs and budget. There are a number of factors to weigh:

Short-Term Costs vs. Long-Term Reliability: While you’ll likely pay more to maintain a Lexus annually than a mainstream brand, you’re also getting a vehicle engineered to be more reliable and last longer before major repairs are needed.

Prestige/Luxury Experience: From premium materials and features to the white-glove dealer experience, a Lexus represents the pinnacle of luxury that you’re paying a premium for.

Resale Value: Thanks to their quality and desirability, Lexus vehicles tend to retain higher resale values than mainstream brands. This offsets higher initial costs.

If you plan on keeping your Lexus for many years and can budget accordingly for the higher maintenance requirements of a premium luxury vehicle, then the advantages of owning the Lexus brand may outweigh the added costs for the right buyer. However, those simply looking for affordable short-term transportation may find the costs too prohibitive.

Final Verdict

Despite being a luxury brand, multiple expert sources and studies show that Lexus vehicles are among the least expensive to maintain and repair compared to other premium marques like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Their reputation for reliability, use of proven Toyota components, and relatively lower labor/parts costs give Lexus a distinct advantage over European rivals when it comes to ownership expenses. With proper budgeting and care, the prestige of the Lexus badge can be had for a lower premium over mainstream non-luxury brands.