Price-wise, Lexus is less expensive than Audi and on level with BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Yes, it has excellent reliability ratings and is less expensive to maintain over time. The top three Best Entry-Level Luxury Car Resale Value list from Kelley Blue Book for 2020 included two Lexus models.
According to the editors of KBB, the Lexus ES won the competition in 2020 with a respectable anticipated resale value of 37.9% after five years of ownership.
Those who favor Lexus above other high-end brands may have a point. This automobile manufacturer offers a premium experience with its exceptional quality, dependability, and resale value. It is certain to gratify the majority of enthusiasts of luxury cars with its cozy, lavish interior and impressive ride.
In This Article...
Repair and maintenance costs for Lexus and BMW vehicles
We already know that both vehicles are leaders in every significant category judged by critics, but what about price? In terms of overall cost of ownership, including Lexus auto repair and maintenance, the Lexus model will often cost you less. One of the priciest auto repairs for any premium vehicle on the road is a BMW repair (not including high end luxury sports cars.)
DEPENDABILITY – FOR THE 9TH TIME IN 10 YEARS, LEXUS TOPS J.D. POWER’S U.S. VEHICLE DEPENDABILITY STUDYSM (VDS)
Long-term dependability is yet another important factor to consider when shopping for a new car. While sophisticated engineering and cutting-edge technology may pique a buyer’s interest, cars that reliably function well every day and consistently deliver excellent performance frequently secure a place in their garage.
The J.D. Power U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) calculates the number of issues experienced by three-year-old vehicle original owners per 100 vehicles (PP100) over the previous 12 months1. Original owners of automobiles manufactured in 2018 were requested to submit their experiences in 2021. The 177 particular issues covered by this survey are categorized into 8 major vehicle categories, with a lower score indicating higher quality.
With a score of 81 PP100, Lexus leads the competition in terms of dependability for the seventh time in ten years. Compared to the industry average of 121 PP 100, this represents a reduction of 40 problems per 100 vehicles. Lexus has a score of 108 PP100 compared to 108 PP100 for BMW, making it the more reliable vehicle.
Is Lexus or BMW more affordable?
One of the most affordable to maintain luxury vehicles is a Lexus. As a Toyota subsidiary, Lexus benefits from extensive parts sharing and reduced production costs as a result of collaborative operations and research.
Because business dealerships utilize pricey OEM parts and lubricants, BMWs and other German vehicles are among the most expensive to service.
The cost is higher than typical because dealerships employ company-trained technicians and use expensive diagnostic instruments and equipment.
Additionally, BMWs can be challenging to service, so independent mechanics might be reluctant to work on them. Finding high-quality alternatives to dealership maintenance becomes difficult as a result.
Comparatively speaking, a Lexus is less expensive to maintain than a BMW, which is also one of the most expensive vehicles to maintain among German luxury automakers.
For comparison, below are the annual maintenance prices for each automakers.
Does Lexus cost more than Mercedes?
Don’t only look at a car’s sticker price or monthly lease rate while shopping for a luxury automobile. David Wurster, head of product development and industry analysis at Vincentric, which measures ownership costs over time, advises comparing the overall cost of ownership for various cars over the long term, including gasoline, insurance, and repair costs.
For instance, if all other factors were equal, you might go for the Mercedes GLK over the Lexus RX 350 since it is the more affordable midsize luxury crossover. The average market price of a Mercedes is $33,709, while the average price of a Lexus is $35,542. However, the Lexus ends up being the superior deal when the five-year cost of ownership for both vehicles is taken into account. Compared to the Mercedes, which will cost $53,361, it will cost $52,381 to buy over five years. You may also think about the Infiniti EX 35, which costs slightly more than the Mercedes on average ($33,854) but has the lowest overall cost of ownership in the segment ($50,704).
Of course, purchasing an automobile, especially a luxury model, involves more than simply money. The brand you choose for your automobile is a fashion statement that reveals a lot about you. But even wealthy people enjoy a good deal, so it’s critical to consider the whole cost of ownership. “Vehicles may cost less up front, but they end up costing you more,” explains Wurster.
The cheapest midsize luxury SUV is the Land Rover LR4, which costs $51,008. However, at $73,472, its total cost of ownership is greater than
Land Cruiser, which costs an additional $10,500. The cost of owning a Land Cruiser for five years is $71,507.
The cost of ownership for the Audi A6 is $3,779 less than the Mercedes E-class ($70,808 vs. $74,587 for the E-class), despite having a similar starting price ($49,577 for the Audi vs. $50,019 for the Mercedes).
The BMW X6 is the most cost-effective premium vehicle when compared to average transaction prices over a five-year period. The X6 crossover costs $84,867 up front and will eventually cost $91,396; this results in a ratio of 1.08. (The hybrid X6 is roughly $4,500 more expensive but has a similar cost-to-ownership ratio.)
The Lincoln MKZ, which typically costs $31,322 to acquire but $52,811 to own over five years, for a ratio of 1.69, is the most expensive premium vehicle. The figures relate to 2010 models of all the cars mentioned in this article.
claims that the price of the incoming hybrid 2011 MKZ will be the same as the gasoline version, making it a tempting value.
Vincentric includes nine considerations for calculating the five-year total cost of ownership: opportunity cost, depreciation, interest, taxes and fees, gasoline, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. Your annual mileage is estimated by the company to be 15,000 miles. Depreciation is the factor that has the greatest impact on cost of ownership, but maintenance and repairs can start to pile up, especially once a warranty expires in the fourth or fifth year.
Are Lexus and BMW more expensive?
What is the distinction? The quality of a Lexus is simply better overall, especially if you plan to keep the car for a long time. They also have considerably cheaper maintenance costs and fewer engine issues. Lexus is viewed as less respectable than BMW.
Is a Lexus expensive to own?
In general, compared to other luxury models, Lexus automobiles are among the least expensive to maintain. Because many Lexus models use Toyota parts, they can be less expensive than mass-market brands. The model you own also matters, though. Over time, higher-end models and high-performance engines may need more maintenance.
Whether your engine needs synthetic or regular oil and whether you choose to take it to a Lexus dealer will determine how much a Lexus oil change costs. Oil changes at dealerships can cost anywhere from $130 to $200. The cost range in a third-party store could be between $60 and $120. To save some money on the oil change, another choice is to bring your Lexus to a Toyota dealer. Finally, RepairPal estimates that the cost of an ES 350 oil change can range from $147 to $161.
Although some models require maintenance every 5,000 miles, drivers typically pay roughly $300 for routine maintenance every 10,000 miles. The initial two services at 5,000 and 10,000 miles are provided by Lexus at no cost to new car owners.
Mercedes or Lexus, which is superior?
Two of the most well-known manufacturers of luxury automobiles are Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Nevertheless, it is impossible to match Mercedes-Benz dependability. Overall, Mercedes-Benz cars outperform Lexus models in terms of performance, unique interior elements included as standard, and efficiency.
Is a Lexus the top luxury vehicle?
For both 2017 and 2016, the Kelley Blue Book Brand Image Awards honored Lexus the Best Overall Luxury Brand and the Most Trusted Luxury Brand. Lexus won the Edmunds’ Most Wanted Awards for its ES 350 and RX 350 luxury compact SUVs.
Is Lexus on par with Toyota?
One of the J.D. Power annual survey’s surprises: British-made Mini is rated as being more dependable than a BMW.
The J.D. Power 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study, or VDS, found that modern cars are more dependable than ever. There are a few well-known brands at the top of the list, starting with Lexus, which is ranked first overall. Toyota, the parent company of the luxury brand, is ranked first in the mainstream category and third overall. Between them is Porsche, which, according to Power, also makes the legendary 911 sports car, which is the most dependable car for three-year-olds.
There are still “a few surprises” in this year’s findings, according to Dave Sargent, vice president of automotive research at J.D. Power, even though all three are well-known brands to those who follow automotive quality and dependability — Lexus is at the top of the list for the eighth consecutive year.
Start by moving up to the fourth spot on the list to discover Chevrolet. The bowtie brand of General Motors has improved substantially in recent years despite not always being a strong performer.
According to Sargent, who notes that the owners polled for the VDS reported experiencing an average of just 115 issues per 100 vehicles — or 115 PP100 in Power-speak — as opposed to 108 for Toyota, “They’re the star of the GM line-up currently.”
However, the news isn’t as positive for the remaining GM lineup. The only other brand from the automaker’s four in North America to score more than the sector average of 136 problems per 100 is Buick, with a score of 115 PP100. GMC scores a pitiful 161, while the prestigious Cadillac scores 166, placing it in the bottom third of the industry.
Despite this, Sargent asserts that “Cadillac is the most improved of all the luxury brands this year,” adding Mini, Subaru, and Volkswagen to the list of “most improved” brands. This year, the British-based Mini manages to outperform its own parent company, BMW, and ranks as the sixth-best brand, just behind Buick.
The survey this year reveals that Japanese manufacturers no longer have a monopoly on reliable vehicles, even if Toyota and Lexus continue to set the standards for mainstream and luxury brands. With a score of 146, Honda was below average and just in the middle of the pack, while its own premium brand, Acura, came in sixth from the bottom. Sargent attributed this to issues with brand-new vehicles that first hit the market three years ago and had some significant issues.
Three European brands are included, with Fiat having the lowest average of difficulties per 100, or almost 2.5 times more issues than the average Toyota. The only marginally better brands are Land Rover and Volvo, with Dodge and Ram from Fiat Chrysler rounding out the bottom five.
Looking ahead Automakers, according to Sargent, are “desperate” to increase reliability because it strengthens the “brand basis,” increases customer loyalty, boosts residuals (or trade-in values), and lessens the need for incentives.
However, he issued a warning that a few of the more recent advanced driver assistance systems, such as Lane Departure Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking, are having issues that could result in lower ratings in the years to come.
Sargent cites three issues as the ones that owners questioned in the most recent Power VDS complained about the most: shaky speech technology, erratic transmissions, and batteries. It appears that the latter problem affects people who don’t possess electric vehicles as well. Even ordinary batteries are beginning to degrade alarmingly quickly as a result of all the new digital equipment being added to current cars.
Is buying a Lexus a wise idea?
According to Consumer Reports, Lexus is the most dependable new automobile brand. The fact that Lexus dealerships were rated as the best overall dealership experience is a credit to the effort made by nearby dealerships to consistently provide customers with great car-buying and service experiences.