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Independent review & score by Carivo
| Seating Capacity | 8 passengers |
|---|---|
| Body Style | SUV |
| Base Price | $75,915–$96,566 |
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov & manufacturer data. Figures reflect base trim; actual specs vary by trim level.
The 2018 Lexus LX is a suv that earns a Carivo score of 7.4/10 — rated Good. Its strongest dimension is Performance at 8.9/10, while Safety at 6.5/10 is where it trails the competition most noticeably. It's a capable but unexceptional suv — stronger alternatives exist if you're willing to shop the segment carefully.
Reliability and safety are the two dimensions that matter most for long-term ownership costs. At 6.6/10 for reliability, this suv trails its segment. That doesn't rule it out, but go in with eyes open on running costs. Safety is a notable gap at 6.5/10 in our scoring — below what the best in segment deliver. Check the official NHTSA ratings for the trim you're considering before deciding.
Few rivals match it for performance: 8.9/10. Expect handling and power delivery that make this one of the more entertaining suvs to actually drive. At 7.6/10 for technology, the infotainment and driver-assist package does its job without setting benchmarks — check which features cost extra on lower trims.
Priced from $75,915–$96,566, 14 MPG, seating 8, the Lexus LX sits in the luxury tier of the suv market. At 7.6/10 for value, it delivers fair pricing for what's on offer, though the best alternatives in this price range score slightly higher. At 8 years old, resale value, parts availability, and whether a successor model has improved on its weak points are all worth investigating before committing.
Verdict: The 2018 Lexus LX sits in the middle of the field. Until its reliability and safety scores improve, stronger options exist at this price. Worth a look if it fits a specific need; otherwise use our compare tool against the segment leaders first.
Carivo scores are our own editorial assessment, informed by NHTSA safety and recall records, EPA fuel-economy figures, and manufacturer-published specifications. Scores are reviewed periodically and updated when new data becomes available. See our full methodology →
The 2018 Lexus LX ranks #1166 of 2454 suvs in the Carivo database — better than 53% of the segment. Its 7.4/10 overall score is exactly at the segment average of 7.4/10. Its $75,915 starting price is about 110% above the segment's median of $36,079.
Rankings are recalculated as new vehicles and scores are added. See the full SUV ranking →
Smart-money pick: the 2015 Lexus LX scores 7.1/10 — within striking distance of the 2018's 7.4 — and starts roughly $8,500 lower. If you don't need the newest model year, that's money better spent on a higher trim or kept in your pocket.
| Year | Score | Starting price (MSRP when new) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7.8/10 | $95,357 | Read review → |
| 2025 | 7.8/10 | $95,357 | Read review → |
| 2024 | 7.7/10 | $92,580 | Read review → |
| 2023 | 7.6/10 | $89,802 | Read review → |
| 2022 | 7.7/10 | $87,025 | Read review → |
| 2021 | 7.6/10 | $84,247 | Read review → |
| 2020 | 7.5/10 | $81,470 | Read review → |
| 2019 | 7.4/10 | $78,693 | Read review → |
| 2018 (this review) | 7.4/10 | $75,915 | |
| 2017 | 7.4/10 | $73,138 | Read review → |
| 2016 | 7.2/10 | $70,360 | Read review → |
| 2015 | 7.1/10 | $67,583 | Read review → |
Other suvs at a similar price point, ranked by Carivo score.
Explore the full lineup of Lexus models scored by Carivo — ranked by overall score across reliability, safety, value, performance, and technology.
