In an era where cars are becoming more complex and packed with new technology, long-term reliability is becoming harder to guarantee. Yet one luxury sedan continues to stand above the rest, earning top marks for dependability in a market where breakdowns and costly repairs are increasingly common. The 2026 Lexus IS 350 has emerged as the most reliable new car currently on sale, outperforming both mainstream and premium rivals.
This achievement isn’t accidental. Lexus has built its reputation on proven engineering, conservative updates, and rigorous quality control rather than rushing untested innovations to market. The IS 350 benefits from a naturally aspirated V-6, a well-established platform, and components that have already demonstrated long-term durability across multiple model years.
For buyers who value peace of mind as much as performance and comfort, this makes the IS 350 a standout choice. It shows that true luxury isn’t just about design or features, it’s about owning a car you can trust year after year without worrying about what might fail next.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including the EPA, Kelley Blue Book, J.D. Power, RepairPal, CarEdge, and Edmunds.
10 Lexus Models You Should Buy Used
Lexus leads the pack when it comes to reliability, making many of their models a great choice for buying used.
The Lexus IS remains the most reliable choice for new car buyers
Lexus is still king of reliability
Lexus consistently ranks as one of the most reliable car brands on the road, with a proven track record for building dependable vehicles. In their stable, one sedan stands out for having the highest consistent reliability score. The Lexus IS dominates its rivals, and is built to outlast just about any other car out there.
J.D. Power’s Vehicle Dependability Study
J.D. Power recently released their annual dependability study, and it came with some key takeaways. The Lexus IS was singled out as the most reliable new car that you can buy. For the 2025 model year, the sedan scored a fantastic 91 out of 100 for quality and reliability. Although it has been updated for the 2026 model, Lexus has left many of the mechanical components unchanged, meaning you can expect the same level of reliability. Alongside this, Lexus had the fewest number of problems per 100 vehicles of any brand.
Lexus cinches the top spot in a pretty turbulent year for vehicle dependability. According to J.D. Powers’ report, this year featured the highest number of problems experienced overall since they redesigned their study in 2022. The study also highlighted hybrids and EVs as having far more problems than gas-powered counterparts, and that luxury brands had more problems on average.
How is a new car considered reliable?
This is often the most common question asked when authorities publish studies like this. While it is true that the scores given to new vehicles are often estimates, they are based on some pretty strong data points. Manufacturers don’t just use completely new parts when they design a new car, but they often pull from a pool of proven designs, or they improve on existing designs. This means that a vehicle’s reliability is often pretty predictable.
Lexus in particular is very good at using and improving proven parts across their lineup. Cars like the IS are often made up of components that have already proven themselves reliable, both through tests and through data collected from existing models.
The Japanese sedan with the best balance of luxury and practicality in 2025
It’s loaded with features and offers tons of space at a surprisingly affordable price.
Lexus’ small luxury sedan also features very low ownership costs
Luxurious but super cheap to run
The most obvious benefits of buying a Lexus, particularly an IS, is that they are more affordable than rivals and they and more reliable. On top of this, though, the Lexus IS will actually save you quite a lot of money in the long run compared to other luxury sedans. The plush sedan features low ownership costs that will keep your bank account happy.
Low average ownership costs
|
Expense |
Cost after 5 years |
|---|---|
|
Depreciation |
$19,311 |
|
Insurance |
$16,265 |
|
Fuel |
$10,045 |
|
Maintenance |
$1,944 |
CarEdge outlines the above costs as the most prominent expenses when owning a vehicle. They have estimated the average cost of each expense over five years of ownership. Overall, they expect that it will cost you around $54,987 to own a Lexus IS 350 over five years. This may seem like a lot, but it is tens of thousands less than its rivals. For comparison, CarEdge estimates a BMW 3-Series to cost $67,621 over five years.
Overall, the Lexus IS is considered to be one of the most affordable luxury sedans on the market when it comes to long-term costs of ownership.
These Reliable Used Luxury Sedans Offer Proven Durability
If you’re after long-term dependability without giving up luxury, these pre-owned sedans stand out for their proven reliability and lasting quality.
The IS gets more expensive for 2026, but comes standard with the V-6
Higher starting price as the base engine is gone
Most compact sports sedans come standard with an inline-four. Up until the 2026 model year, so did the IS. Lexus has given their small sedan quite a large visual overhaul this year, and they have also discontinued both the four-cylinder IS 300 and the V-8 IS 500. This leaves the IS 350 as the only choice, with the good news being that it was the best pick of the lot all along.
2026 Lexus IS pricing and changes
|
Model |
Starting MSRP |
|---|---|
|
IS 350 F Sport Design |
$46,795 |
|
IS 350 F Sport |
$49,245 |
While the four-pot IS 300 was still around, Lexus’ small sedan was one of the most affordable options in this segment. However, it now starts more expensive than its core rivals. However, this is because the V-6 powered IS 350 is now the only choice available. Alongside the reshuffling of trims, Lexus has updated the exterior styling of the sports sedan, and they have also made a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and gauge display standard.
While those who were looking at getting the IS 300 might be a little disappointed, the IS 350 always felt like the best choice in our eyes. It is quicker, and generally considered to be more reliable. For 2026, there are only two trims to choose from. We personally think that the fully-fledged F Sport model is also the way to go, and we’d add the F Sport Handling Package which comes with a Torsen limited-slip rear differential and an adaptive variable suspension.
Performance and efficiency
- Base Trim Engine
-
3.5-liter V6
- Base Trim Transmission
-
8-Speed Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
-
Rear-Wheel Drive
- Base Trim Horsepower
-
311 HP @6600 RPM
- Base Trim Torque
-
280 lb.-ft. @ 4800 RPM
- Make
-
Lexus
- Model
-
IS
- Segment
-
Compact Luxury Sedan
One of the most dependable engine layouts you can get is a naturally aspirated V-6, which is exactly what powers the 2026 IS 350. It is exactly the same V-6 that you got in the outgoing model. In rear-wheel drive models, you get an eight-speed automatic, but all-wheel drive models get a six-speed instead.
Lexus’ plush sports sedan leans more towards luxury than it does towards performance, with a soft ride that absorbs most imperfections in the road. However, this doesn’t mean that it isn’t fun to drive along twisty back roads. It is well-balanced as a daily driver, which is likely why it is one of the most popular luxury sedans on the market.
