The Most Reliable Used Luxury SUV Is Actually Affordable
Finding a luxury SUV under $30,000 can seem like an impossible task, but there is one brand that leads the segment. Some of the best used SUVs under budget come from the Lexus brand, thanks to the extensive lineup of reliable vehicles. Even though the sea of used cars grows every day, the Lexus RX remains one of the best and most reliable options out there and is still one of America’s favorite luxury SUVs.
What is the best used luxury SUV under $30,000?
The case for the Lexus RX being the best used luxury SUV is pretty strong. For instance, the Lexus RX has been around since 1998. Since then, it has been one of the best-selling Lexus SUVs. The RX even helped grow the small SUV segment, which consisted of few options at the time.
Looking at the rankings of the best used midsize luxury SUVs under $30,000 via U.S. News, the first 15 options are some form of the Lexus RX. The 2010 RX 350 is around $15,000 these days, but this used Lexus SUV still comes equipped with plenty of features.
This version gets 18 mpg in the city and around 24 mpg on the highway, which is excellent for a 2010 SUV. Lexus offered it with front-wheel or all-wheel drive; all versions had 275 horsepower. That won’t win any races, but it is enough for a comfortable ride around town.
Does Lexus make the best used cars and SUVs?
One of the most significant factors impacting used SUVs is reliability and longevity. As the luxury brand of Toyota, Lexus shares its long history of reliability. Most of the options on this list of Lexus SUVs have five-star reliability scores from J.D. Power. The publication uses a different scale these days, but five stars was the highest score when the 2010 RX came out.
| Lexus RX Model | Avg. Price Range | J.D. Power Reliability Score |
| 2010 RX 350 | $12,259 – $12,716 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2009 RX 350 | $8,886 – $9,216 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2012 RX 350 | $14,164 – $14,817 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2011 RX 350 | $13,467 – $14,076 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2012 RX 450h | $16,397 – $16,973 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2011 RX Hybrid | $15,417 – $15,965 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2010 RX Hybrid | $11,287 – $11,707 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2016 RX Hybrid | $29,898 – $32,651 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2014 RX 350 | $16,988 – $20,289 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
| 2013 RX 350 | $16,707 – $19,435 | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
From 2009 through 2023, the Lexus RX 350 has earned high scores for predicted and overall reliability year after year. J.D. Power uses its Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) to survey owners for the first years of ownership to see how many problems were presented over that period.
Another used luxury SUV under budget is the Lexus RX Hybrid, another reliable option with great fuel economy. The 2012 RX Hybrid had 30 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway, with five spacious seats for the driver and passengers. Lexus used a V6 engine and two (or three) electric motors for added power and fuel economy. Those who opted for all-wheel drive had three motors. This 2012 Lexus and others also earned a five-star reliability rating from J.D. Power.
What is the most reliable used luxury SUV?
Thanks to Lexus and Toyota technology, the engines on these luxury SUVs can run for a long time. These usually land on the list of vehicles that can hit 150,000 miles without issue. Keep up with the maintenance at the correct intervals for best results. That is a big contributor to why shoppers like these brands over others, as the value holds well over the years.
At the end of the day, the Lexus RX has many options that cover different budgets. The newer models will have more safety systems and modern features, but the older ones might have more miles. Either way, the RX has proven to be a durable option out of all the used cars and SUVs available for purchase.
