6 Lexus Models With 250+ HP You Can Score For Under $20K

Lexus stands out by being a luxury car brand that is relatively affordable and easier on the pocket to maintain than its German counterparts. It looks cool and also offers commendable performance, with even F Sport models dialing up on the grin-worthy appeal.

The most affordable new Lexus car today is the UX Hybrid, which starts at $38,035 and packs a 196-horsepower hybrid powertrain. However, there are a bunch of 250+ horsepower Lexus cars that can be had for under $20,000, thanks to depreciation.

We have curated a list of six enticing used Lexus cars that are bang-for-buck, not just in luxury but also in terms of performance and capabilities. This list is organized in increasing order of horsepower ratings.

2012–2014 Lexus ES 350

Power: 268 Horsepower

The Lexus ES 350 of this era packs a refined 3.5-liter V6 that is also high on reliability. Used prices often range from $16,000 to $18,000, according to CarGurus. All three models score 7.9/10 for Reliability, 8.3/10 for Value Retention, and 9.0/10 for Safety, as per iSeeCars. However, JD Power rates the 2013 model as the highest of the lot with an overall score of 88/100. The 2012 model comes next with 87/100, and then comes the 2014 model with 85/100.

Interestingly, the older 2012 model has a lower annual maintenance cost of $415. The 2013 ES costs $492, and the 2014 model costs $552, per RepairPal. However, 10-year maintenance and repair costs are common across all years, at $5,926, according to CarEdge. According to the NHTSA, the newer 2014 Lexus ES 350 has the fewest issues, with one recall, zero investigations, and 28 complaints as of today. The 2013 model shares the same recall and investigation count but has a total of 50 complaints. The 2012 model has the highest count with three recalls, one investigation, and 116 complaints.

Engine And Gearbox Specs

(2014 Model Specs Mentioned Here)

2012–2014 Lexus RX 350h

Power: 295 Horsepower

The older Lexus RX SUVs are very popular and have sold in great numbers. This era of the RX balances luxurious comfort with a peppy 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine. According to Autotrader, the 2012-2014 range has an average used price of around $14,000-$18,500. All three model years score 8.4/10 for Reliability, 8.5/10 for Value Retention, and 8.4/10 for Safety, as per iSeeCars. All three models also have an identical overall score of 85/100, as per JD Power. But the 2012 model triumphs in reliability with 89/100. The 2013 RX scores 87/100 and the 2014 RX scores 88/100.

According to RepairPal, the 2012 Lexus RX has the lowest yearly maintenance costs at $522. The 2013 model is slightly more expensive at $569, and the 2014 model costs $604. The estimated 10-year maintenance and repair costs of all three RX model years are identical at around $7,892, as per CarEdge. The 2014 model impresses most with zero recalls, zero investigations, and 25 complaints, according to the NHTSA. The 2013 model differs with one recall and a total of 75 complaints. The 2012 model has one recall, zero investigations, and 41 complaints as of today.

Engine And Gearbox Specs

(2012 Hybrid Model Specs Mentioned Here)

2010–2013 Lexus GX 460

Power: 301 Horsepower

This era of the stout body-on-frame Lexus GX, which offers genuine off-roading capabilities and a chunky V8, can be had today for around $18,000 (for premium trim levels), according to listings on iSeeCars. That’s solid value for a go-anywhere luxury SUV. The 2011 and 2012 models peaked with a higher overall JD Power score of 85/100. The 2013 model scores 84/100, and the 2010 GX scores 83/100. The most reliable of this lot, according to JD Power, is the 2011 model, with a reliability score of 89/100. The cheapest average annual repair cost of this bunch is for the 2013 GX at $693. The most expensive is the 2012 model at $756. The 2011 model costs $708 per year in maintenance, and the 2010 model costs $770 per year.

All four Lexus GX models here cost an average of $7,110 for their 10-year maintenance and repair costs. According to the NHTSA, the 2013 model has the fewest issues, with three recalls, one investigation, and seven complaints. The 2011 and 2012 models also have three recalls and one investigation, but differ in complaint count: the latter has 11, and the former has 36. The 2010 model has the highest overall count with five recalls, one investigation, and 38 complaints.

Engine And Gearbox Specs

(2013 Model Specs Mentioned Here)

2013–2015 Lexus IS 350

Power: 306 Horsepower

This sporty sedan offers a strong mid-range punch, thanks to a 3.5-liter V6 with over 300 horsepower. Used specimens of this IS 350 era have an average used price range of $14,700-$17,000, according to listings on iSeeCars. The 2013 Lexus IS scores well on iSeeCars, with an overall rating of 8.1/0. However, the 2014 and 2015 models are even better with an overall score of 9.7/10. Reliability ratings are impressive: the 2013 model scores 8.3/10, and the 2014 and 2015 models score a solid 9.4/10.

The newer 2015 model has the lowest estimated yearly maintenance costs at $543. The 2013 model follows closely behind with $589. The 2014 Lexus IS is the most expensive of the lot, with annual expenses of $625. The estimated 10-year maintenance and repair cost for this lot is around $5,891. The 2015 model has just one recall, one investigation, and four complaints, according to the NHTSA. The 2014 model has a bit more complaints with 14 entries. The 2013 model has four recalls, one investigation, and eight complaints as of today.

Engine And Gearbox Specs

(2015 Model Specs Mentioned Here)

2011–2013 Lexus GS 350

Power: 306 Horsepower

The combination of a refined and peppy V6 engine and rear-wheel drive makes this version of the Lexus GS a fun driver’s car. The early 2011 models can be had for under $10,000, while the 2012 and 2013 models do not breach the $15,000 mark. iSeeCars gives this era of the Lexus GS a reliability score of 7.9/10 and a value retention score of 8.2/10. While all model years share the same overall JD Power score of 87/100, the 2011 model excels with a reliability score of 90/100.

The earlier 2011 model has the lowest average yearly maintenance cost of $537. Next up are the 2012 model at $582 and the 2013 model at $622. All three model years have similar 10-year maintenance and repair bill expectations, with around $7,110. All three models have impressive NHTSA data, with the 2012 GS 350 having zero recalls, zero investigations, and just one complaint. This is a rare feat. The 2011 and 2013 models both have three recalls and zero investigations. However, the 2013 model has a lot more complaints at 41 entries as compared to the 2011 model’s count of seven.

Engine And Gearbox Specs

(2013 Model Specs Mentioned Here)

2011 Lexus GS 460

Power: 342 Horsepower

An athletic luxury sedan with ample sporty appeal, thanks to a V8 engine, is a desirable machine, especially for under $15,000. This is the most powerful luxury Lexus sedan of this bunch with 342 horsepower. The average used price for the 2011 Lexus GS is $12,750, as per JD Power, and people generally pay between $12,000 and $14,000 for well-kept specimens.

The Lexus GS has an estimated annual maintenance cost of $595, according to RepairPal. As per CarEdge, the estimated 10-year maintenance cost is approximately $7,110. Its heightened reliability quotient is also evident in its having only one recall, zero investigations, and three complaints to date.

Engine And Gearbox Specs

(2011 Model Specs Mentioned Here)

Sources: CarGurus, JD Power, iSeeCars, AutoTrader, CarEdge, RepairPal, and NHTSA.