Lexus

The short version

Lexus built its reputation on the LS, a car designed to beat the best European saloons on refinement and reliability rather than lap times. That focus still shapes the range, even though the IS F, GS F, RC F, LC500 and LFA show a very different side of the brand.

The result is a brand with two personalities. The hybrid saloons are quiet, durable and cheap to maintain by premium standards, while the V8 cars are rare, thirsty and expensive to keep in top condition.

The models that define the brand

The LS400 arrived in 1989 and changed expectations. It was quieter and more reliable than the German opposition, and it forced the segment to raise its game. The LS430 refined the formula, the LS460 added more technology and a larger cabin, and the LS600h added a hybrid V8. The current LS500 moved to a twin-turbo V6, which changed the character of the car.

The IS was the compact saloon, and the IS F of 2008 put a 5.0-litre V8 into it. The GS F applied the same engine to a larger body, and the RC F is the coupe version. These cars are the enthusiast picks, with a naturally aspirated V8 and a reputation for durability. The IS300h and GS300h are the hybrid alternatives, and they are far cheaper to run.

The LC500 is the grand tourer, with the same 5.0 V8 or a hybrid V6. It is one of the most distinctive cars in the class, and it has held value better than most. The LFA is the supercar, a limited-run V10 car with a carbon-fibre body and a price that has climbed steadily.

The brand also sells the RX and NX SUVs, which are the volume models in the UK, but they sit outside the enthusiast conversation.

What it costs to own

A routine service on an IS or GS hybrid typically costs £250 to £500, and tyres are £500 to £800 a set. Brakes last well because the hybrid system does much of the slowing, but the discs and pads are still a £400 to £700 item when they are due.

The V8 cars are more expensive: expect £500 to £900 for a service, and more when the 2UR-GSE needs its spark plugs and fluids. Tyres on the RC F and LC500 are £800 to £1,200 a set, and the front brakes are heavy. A replacement hybrid battery at an independent specialist can run to £2,000 to £4,000 depending on the pack. Budget for tyres every few years and check the date codes, because many of these cars are kept as second vehicles.

Known weak points

• Hybrid batteries: age-related capacity loss on LS600h and GS450h, and replacement is a four-figure cost.
• 2UR-GSE V8: generally strong, but coil packs, injectors and cam covers need attention with age.
• Brakes and tyres: heavy cars with expensive consumables, especially on the F models.
• Infotainment: older systems feel dated and the mouse-style controller divides opinion.
• Suspension: worn bushes, ball joints and damper leaks on higher-mileage cars.
• LFA: carbon and bespoke parts are extremely expensive, and support is limited.

What to check before buying

On a hybrid, ask for a battery health report and check the age of the pack. Test the car from cold and listen for unusual noises from the hybrid drive. Check the cooling fan and filter for the battery, because a blocked filter makes the pack run hot.

On a V8 car, check the service history and look for oil leaks around the cam covers. Inspect the suspension for worn bushes and check the brakes for disc wear. On an older car, confirm the infotainment and every switch works. Ask whether the car has been used for short journeys, which is harder on a hybrid battery than steady motorway work. On an LFA, ask for the full factory history and confirm the car has been stored properly.

Market and depreciation

The LS400 and LS430 have been climbing, and clean early cars are now sought after. The IS F has followed, and low-mileage examples are expensive. The RC F and GS F are cheaper but climbing, and the LC500 has held value well.

The LFA is a collector car with values far above its original price. Hybrid saloons depreciate like any large executive car, and the LS600h is cheap to buy but expensive to repair. The IS250 and IS220d are the cheapest way into the brand, but the diesel has a poor reputation for reliability.

Who it suits

Lexus suits a buyer who wants premium comfort with low running costs and does not need a badge that carries weight in a car park. It also suits an enthusiast who wants a naturally aspirated V8 with a reputation for durability. It does not suit someone who wants the latest infotainment or a car with sharp handling.

How this profile was compiled

This profile draws on Lexus's published model information, owner reports from the Lexus Owners Club, and current UK market listings. It is a buying guide, not a road test.