When you think of a car that has everything; superior design, luxury, powerful engine, reliability and safety, and sheer class, there’s no how a Lexus won’t come to mind. No matter the type or category of the cars, from the RX to LS to the GS, ES, NX, or IS, these vehicles are the most valuable vehicles in their class. Then, why is the Lexus so expensive?
The first reason Lexus is expensive is due to the prestige of the brand and the demand for the cars. Furthermore, Lexus cars come with powerful engines and high-tech safety features which cost more.
Apart from examining the reasons for Lexus’s high price, we also review why they cost more than their Toyota cousins. Finally, we consider what makes Lexus vehicles unique and if they are high-maintenance vehicles.
Reasons Why Lexus Cars Are Expensive
Powerful Engines
All vehicles under the Lexus brand come with powerful engines. Take the 2021 RX 350, for example, a 3.5L V6 engine with 295hp and 267lbft of torque. The bigger GX 470 has a 4.6L V8 engine that produces 301hp.
These engines aren’t only powerful; they tend to last for a long time if properly maintained.
These powerful engines come paired with responsive transmission (a six-gear automatic in the GX and an eight-year automatic in the RX) and a drivetrain that makes for luxury driving or powerful driving if that’s what’s wanted.
Having a car with all these attributes doesn’t come cheap, which is why Lexus is expensive.
Quality Materials
Both in the interior and the exterior, Lexus incorporates quality materials in all its vehicles. The use of wood trimmings, combined with leather in the interior, adds a touch of class to Lexus cars. Apart from the leather and polished wood, Lexus cars also use long-lasting materials.
It is not strange for the interior of Lexus vehicles to maintain their pristine condition two decades after production.
It’s not just the materials used in the Lexus’ interior that are of the highest quality. All the parts used in the car last several years due to that production cost is quite high.
A car like the GS 350, for example, has a heated steering wheel that doesn’t come cheap.
This high cost of production is transferred to the selling price, making the price of Lexus expensive.
Tech
Another reason for the Lexus high price is that they employ the best tech available to improve driving experience and aid driving safety. Lexus cars have above-average safety scores because of the tech incorporated in their vehicles.
Some safety technology available in the 2021 RX350 is:
- Pedestrian detection
- Lane Tracing assist
- Lane keep assist
- Rearview camera
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Rain-sensing windshield wipers
- Heads-up display
- Adaptive headlights
- Reverse automatic braking
- A surround-view parking camera system
These and many more features and an advanced infotainment system available in Lexus cars guarantee that the automobiles stay costly.
Brand Prestige
A key reason for the high value of the Lexus is the prestige attached to the Lexus badge. Toyota produces quality cars, but there’s no way that Toyota cars can charge as high Lexus cars do. Even if they do, no one will buy them.
That problem doesn’t apply to the Lexus, though. Everyone knows that any Lexus car combines luxury, prestige, performance, and comfortable driving. The general populace expects that these cars demand a relatively high price because of the reputation associated with the Lexus badge.
Any Lexus car sold cheap will be viewed with suspicion because no one expects them to be. Therefore, the prestige attached to the brand name is another why they are valuable.
Driving Experience
We have said earlier that Lexus cars come with powerful engines that enable a comfortable drive. Apart from engines, drivetrain, and transmission, Lexus offers a pleasurable driving experience for not the person driving but for the occupants.
A spacious cabin, comfy interior, shock absorbers that take the worst of the road bumps all add up to make you fall in love with driving or being in a Lexus. Cars like a Toyota or a Ford, where there are a lot of hard plastics, and a dull interior, can’t compare with the Lexus when it comes to a pleasurable driving experience.
For Lexus, the point of making a car isn’t just getting from point A to B. It’s enjoying the ride. Ensuring that Lexus cars deliver this means that their cars are on the high side.
Competitive Cars
In every category where a Lexus is present, they always rank among the top performers. When a brand has a track record for performance and competitiveness over a while, there’s no way the brand’s stock won’t rise.
A cursory look of various cars from the RX 450h, to the ES, to the smaller IS, shows that these cars are one of the top-rank cars in the class. What this means is that Lexus cars can go toe to toe with the best.
Like every car, some Lexus models might not be good enough. Overall, Lexus cars come out good year after year.
The assurance potential buyers get from knowing that when they buy a Lexus, they get value for money drives up the price of the Lexus cars.
Positive Customer Reviews
Before buying anything, one of the best ways to research if buying is good or bad is by checking customer reviews. Most customer reviews for Lexus cars are positive if not glowing. There’s hardly ever any negative comment attached to their vehicles.
These positive reviews only help reinforce the prestige of the brand, drive up sales, and keep the prices of the products high.
Demand
There is a high demand for Lexus cars. For example, the RX 350 is the bestselling luxury midsize SUV of 2020. In 2021, they are also selling their closest rival, the Acura MDX, by almost fifty percent. In economics, higher demand for a product leads to higher purchase costs.
This has been the trend with Lexus cars for a while, with an insatiable demand for their autos. In response, this demand for Lexus makes their unit value higher.
What Makes the Lexus Special?
Here are some of what make the Lexus unique cars:
- They are known for their design and comfort.
- They have above-average reliability scores.
- They have high resale value and are one of the bestselling luxury cars.
- They have an above-average fuel efficiency.
- Durable.
Why Is the Lexus More Expensive Than the Toyota?
Lexus and Toyota have the same parent company, but when you look at the price tags of both cars, you will notice a vast difference. Some Lexus cars cost almost double the price of their Toyota counterparts.
Some of the price differences are Lexus being a luxury brand and Toyota not being one. Lexus cars also outperform Toyota cars in every measure available and better tech. Furthermore, Lexus costs more than Toyota because they do not just drive smoothly; The comfort of the occupants is paramount.
Are Lexus Expensive to Maintain?
For a luxury brand, Lexus cars are not expensive to maintain. The average annual cost for Lexus maintenance and repairs is around $551, the average maintenance of any vehicle is about $652. The low maintenance costs put Lexus owners at an advantage.
The Lexus maintenance cost is lower than BMW, Benz, and Audi, which are higher than the industry’s average cost. So not only is the Lexus a luxury car, it has low maintenance costs. That’s a winning combination if you ask me.
Lexus also has an above-average reliability rating, according to RepairPal. The lowest is the GX460, with a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5; the others have 4 out of five.
Is Lexus Worth the Price?
Lexus is a luxury brand, not just in name. Their cars are comfortable, drive well, have excellent safety features, don’t cost a lot to maintain, and most importantly, they can last for a long time with proper maintenance.
So yes, Lexus is their price tag. They are not overpriced cars hiding behind a prestigious brand.
Conclusion
Lexus cars are pricey. There’s no doubt about it. When you consider the name of the brand, the car components, the interior, demand for the car, and low maintenance costs, it should be no surprise that they cost as much as they do.
A Lexus car can last as long as 200,000 to 250,000 miles with proper maintenance and proper driving. When you own a Lexus, you have a luxury car with a powerful engine that is reliable and can keep you safe. What else does anyone want in a vehicle?
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