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In most cases, any car that can last close to 200,000 miles is considered a great vehicle. The likes of Toyota and Honda usually hold this benchmark. However, Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, meaning they are notoriously long-lasting as well. With many Lexus cars on the used market, you can start to see a pattern of well-loved, high-mileage examples, including the Lexus ES 350.

iSeeCars released a study where they gathered the mileage on each vehicle category to list all potential lifespans. Coming in at number 8 on their list is the Lexus ES 350. With a life expectancy of just over 200,000 miles, it is safe to say that the ES 350 is an excellent choice for a single-car solution. But what makes the ES 350 so reliable?

How reliable is the Lexus ES 350?

When shopping for a used vehicle, reliability is usually the first question that comes to mind. The Lexus ES 350 has made a reputation for being one of the most reliable cars in its class. It was beaten only by the Toyota Avalon, which has an average mileage expectancy of 250,000 miles, according to iSeeCars. One of the biggest reasons for this is that the Avalon is not a luxury vehicle, whereas the ES 350 certainly is. 

Luxury vehicles are always more susceptible to issues because of the features and performance they provide. Lexus has a history of developing their cars with longevity in mind. At their debut with the LS400, Lexus had sent vehicles across the globe to do real-world tests in all kinds of environments. The standard they hold for their vehicles shows off when it is hard to find used models under 100,000 miles.

How much does it cost to maintain a Lexus ES 350?

Another major question when shopping around is what maintenance costs are for your vehicle. The maintenance cost also speaks to the reliability, with cheaper maintenance meaning fewer headaches. RepairPal has the average annual maintenance cost of an ES 350 is within the $400-$600 range. Being in that range is exceptional, considering the typical cost of keeping a midsize luxury vehicle on the road is around $740 annually.

Model years to look for when considering maintenance costs will be 2010-2013 and 2018-2022. These model years have average annual maintenance of under $500. However, the newer models are skewed because there may be more issues as they age. Kelley Blue Book rated most model years of the ES 350 around 4.3 out of 5 stars which is very respectable. 

Is the Lexus ES 350 a good car?

On its seventh generation, the Lexus ES 350 has a reputation for being the forgotten vehicle in the Lexus line-up. Shadowed by the Lexus LS, the ES line is more of a standard luxury car. The ES is still a good purchase with most of the technology and the same development as the other cars.

Being only front-wheel drive with smaller engine packages lets buyers into the ES for a much lower price than some of the more premium models. The best part about this is that the more forgotten sedan is available on the used market for a substantial discount. Overall, the ES 350 is a great car, with Toyota reliability and a luxurious feel you can’t go wrong.

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Writer - Sedans & Coupes

Joshua Brown

Joshua Brown joined MotorBiscuit as an Autos Writer in 2022. Having owned more than 30 vehicles, including several Japanese tuner cars, and tinkering with everything he could get his hands on, Joshua has developed a vast understanding of all things automotive.

Much of Joshua’s coverage focuses on Japanese vehicles, vintage cars, supercars, and hypercars. His previous work can be viewed on his website, Lucky Club, and VehicleHistory.com. Joshua is also greatly involved with the Kaido racer and Gentsuki scooter communities.

Joshua grew up reading the work of Speedhunters’ Larry Chen, an automotive journalist that ultimately influenced him to pursue automotive photography and journalism.