Why Does the Most Reliable Used Luxury SUV Rank Last?
Even though this luxurious SUV from Lexus has a lot to offer, it fell hard in the rankings for similar vehicles. What held the most reliable SUV back? There are simply a lot of options in the luxury SUV segment, and the 2018 Lexus GX is outshined in a few ways. However, the elegant design, strong off-road capability, advanced features, and the brand’s history of reliability contribute to its enduring appeal.
What is the best used luxury SUV?
While there are many used luxury SUVs on the market, the 2018 Lexus GX is one of the most reliable options. According to the rankings on U.S. News, the GX rounded out the back of luxury midsize SUVs from 2018. Some of the complaints are poor fuel economy and an inconvenient cargo area.
Lexus offered the 2018 Lexus GX in three trim levels: Base, Premium, and Luxury. All three options received the 4.6L V8 engine paired with four-wheel drive. The engine provided 301 horsepower across all available trim levels, but some complained it wasn’t powerful enough. Weighing between 5,130 to 5,198 pounds, it is possible the engine was just a little underpowered for such a large vehicle.
| 2018 Lexus GX Trims | MSRP |
| GX 460 | $52,155 |
| GX 460 Premium | $52,155 |
| GX 460 Luxury | $63,530 |
While the 6,500-pound tow rating is a plus, it won’t help this luxury SUV’s fuel economy. With 15 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, most other vehicles in the segment beat that by a mile.
Which luxury SUV has the highest reliability?
The 2018 Lexus GX luxury SUV gets an outstanding predicted reliability rating of 4.5 out of five from J.D. Power. That is one of the higher reliability scores of any luxury SUVs in the past few years, thanks to the magic of Toyota and Lexus. Having a high predicted reliability rating is one of the high points for the Lexus GX.
Below are some of the highest-rated luxury SUVs from 2018, along with the predicted reliability scores. Even though the GX ranked at the bottom of the segment, J.D. Power gave this Lexus the highest reliability score out of all 19 models.
| 2018 Luxury SUV Rankings | Reliability Rank |
| 2018 Lexus GX | 4.5/5 |
| 2018 Acura MDX | 2.5/5 |
| 2018 BMW X5 | 3.5/5 |
| 2018 Audi Q7 | 2.5/5 |
| 2018 Lexus RX | 3.5/5 |
The GX also has plenty of creature comforts and modern safety systems inside the cabin. It is also one of the better off-road capable SUVs and one of the only luxury options. Some features that make the Lexus SUV a good off-roader include its 8.1 inches of ground clearance and locking center differential. It also has crawl control and four-wheel drive to help increase traction on whatever surface you might be on.
Depending on how you plan to use this midsize SUV, the off-road prowess might be more important than some of its other downfalls. With room for seven passengers, the reliability and comfort are still great for those who need extra space.
What luxury SUV holds value best?
Lexus luxury SUVs like the GX hold value well over the years, the same as many Toyota SUVs. This used Lexus serves a specific intersection of shoppers that might not be well served in other areas. Those who want a larger and more luxurious SUV but still want capability would probably have to aim for a $100,000 plus vehicle to check all those boxes, such as a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon or Range Rover. Something like a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco would be suitable for an off-road capable SUV. However, these aren’t known for excelling in comfort and daily driving behaviors.
Thanks to the combination offered by the Lexus GX, it makes a lot of sense for some shoppers. With such a high-reliability rating and long brand reliability history, most other options don’t come close. Even if the GX ranks at the back of the luxury SUV pack when compared to the competition, drivers seem pretty satisfied overall. You might want to join Costco for some gas savings, though.
