When it comes to reliability, Lexus knows a thing or two about producing dependable sport utility vehicles. The 2023 Lexus RX is a brand-new luxury SUV packed with features and technology. Most modern cars don’t have glaring issues in the first few years of ownership, but keeping up with routine maintenance will keep any vehicle running its best.

Is the 2023 Lexus RX reliable?

Even though the 2023 Lexus RX is brand new, vehicles can have issues in the first year of ownership. The 2023 Lexus RX price starts at $48,550 for the front-wheel drive base RX 350 and goes up to $62,750 for the RX 500h F Sport Performance with all-wheel drive. The good news is that the RX is pretty reliable. RepairPal gave the Lexus RX 350 a reliability score of four out of five, higher than the average midsize luxury SUV.

For average annual repair costs, this number sits around $550 for the Lexus SUV. That’s compared to around $807 for an average luxury midsize SUV or $652 for all types of vehicles. This amount could also be lower to start seeing as there won’t be too much maintenance on a brand-new car. Owners of the RX report a low frequency of visits for unscheduled maintenance, around 0.4 times per year. That is about average for all vehicles but still less frequently than the average luxury SUV.

Based on reports from owners, the RX SUV doesn’t have severe issues very often. The average came in at around 8%, compared to 12% for all vehicles on the road. Midsize luxury SUVs have an average severity of 11%. The 2023 RX has a long history of reliability behind it, which means it generally has fewer issues than some of the competition.

What are some common problems the 2023 Lexus RX could have?

Some of the most common problems to look out for on the 2023 Lexus RX include an oil leak and failed air conditioning compressor. The oil leak and loss of oil pressure can come from a broken VVT-i oil line. This one might be obvious as the oil leak will cover everything in its path.

If you happen to be driving while it happens, the low engine oil message and engine oil pressure warning lights will likely go off immediately. Toyota has remedied the issue with an updated part, but the problem persists. Repairs include a new oil line and a thorough cleaning of the engine and undercarriage.

If your air conditioning goes out, it could be a common problem with the AC amplifier. This was a common problem in RX models over the years, and Toyota eventually updated the part. Like the oil line issue, it still seemed to be a common problem associated with the Lexus RX.

How safe is the luxury SUV from Lexus?

Another helpful tool for finding 2023 Lexus RX reliability is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA has not thoroughly reviewed the 2023 version yet but has no complaints listed. Owners can report issues to the group, which can prompt investigation or recall. So far, no drivers have issued a complaint.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2023 Lexus RX a Top Safety Pick award. It performed well on all crashworthiness tests and even the new crash avoidance and mitigation tests. These brand-new segments look at front crash prevention for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian systems. Since these systems are so prevalent and essential, automakers have had to improve each year exponentially to keep up with safety standards.

Overall, the 2023 Lexus RX should prove to be a reliable SUV option. With Toyota reliability and Lexus luxury, the RX is a well-rounded sport utility vehicle.