After a successful 2022 in which Lexus UK won numerous awards across its range of vehicles, including the first-ever plug-in hybrid model, the NX 450h+, all eyes are on 2023. Can Lexus outperform the previous year? We will keep this page updated with each new award won throughout the calendar year, so watch this space…

Lexus NX 450h+ crowned Best Large Plug-in Car for a second year

It was rated the best in 2022 and a year later the NX 450h+ luxury SUV remains the pick of the UK’s large plug-in hybrid electric cars, winning the Carbuyer Best Car Awards category for a second time.

The NX has been the best-selling Lexus model in the UK since 2015, and the NX 450h+ represents the halo model of the current range. Regarding that car the award judges commented: “The Lexus NX is a great car with or without a plug, but the 450h+ raises the game with a long electric range, plus a quiet, comfortable cabin and fantastic in-car tech. Another repeat winner, the Lexus NX is our best large plug-in hybrid for 2024.”

Lexus remains reliably number one for reliability

Fashions come and fashions go, but with each year that passes Lexus reliability remains constant. The lasting quality of its vehicles has been validated yet again with the number one ranking in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey for the seventh time.

Claire Evans, What Car? consumer editor who led the survey said: “If reliability is your priority, a Lexus model is the best choice. Not only do its models rarely go wrong, but when they do its dealerships resolve all issues swiftly and at no cost to owners. It is the brand that leads the field for dependability.”

Almost 22,000 motorists took part in the magazine’s 2023 study into the cars which perform best and worst when it comes to faults. The results, covering 32 brands and 178 different models up to five years old, showed Lexus achieving an unmatched score of 98.3 per cent, taking into account not just the number of problems experienced, but also how long they took to put right and the cost of repairs.

Lexus excelled in the survey’s categories, most notably in the family SUV class where the first generation NX came top with 99.8 per cent; the all-new, current NX second with 99.4 per cent; and UX third with 99.3 per cent. The Lexus RX was placed second among large SUVs at 98.6 per cent.  All of these are self-charging hybrid electric models – the powertrain technology the survey found to be the most reliable and simplest to repair when an issue does arise.

Lexus RZ awarded a five-star safety rating by Euro NCAP

The all-new Lexus RZ scored highly in every category of the 2023 safety protocols and has therefore been given a top five-star safety rating by independent test organisation Euro NCAP.

Announcing the test results, Euro NCAP said: “The Lexus RZ meets Euro NCAP’s expectations for all-around good crash protection for occupants representing a range of ages, heights, and sizes. The car is also equipped with the latest crash avoidance systems and comes with several new active safety innovations. [It] is the first car that Euro NCAP rewards for Child Presence Detection technology under the latest 2023 rating regime. The [Rear Seat Reminder System], which warns when a child or infant may have been left in the car, is potentially lifesaving in hot weather.”

Crash test analysis produced scores above 80% for adult and child occupants and vulnerable road users. The performance of safety assistance features – including those provided as standard in the Lexus Safety System+ package – were also rated above 80%.

Lexus proves pre-eminent in its class, retaining Auto Express New Car Award

The Lexus NX has been crowned Mid-size Premium SUV of the Year in the Auto Express New Car Awards for a second year in succession. The honour confirms the NX’s leading status in one of the most fiercely contested premium market segments.

Steve Fowler, Auto Express editor-in-chief, said: “The latest NX is one of the best Lexus models we’ve ever driven. All the traditional Lexus traits are present and correct – it’s brilliantly built and generously equipped with warranty cover of up to 10 years. But this latest model is also really good to drive and has the efficiency buyers of big SUVs demand, too.”

Lexus voted the Most Reliable Brand for a fourth time in the Auto Trader New Car Awards

Lexus has maintained its status as the UK’s top-rated carmaker, being voted Most Reliable Car Brand in the 2023 Auto Trader New Car Awards.

It is the fourth time in five years Lexus has earned the title, which is determined by the real-world experiences and opinions of more than 220,000 UK car owners who responded to Auto Trader’s annual survey.

Erin Baker, Auto Trader editorial director, said: “Quality, reliability and comfort were three characteristics that came out of our survey. As one owner said – ‘I wish that I had bought a Lexus years ago, it’s the best car that I have driven and I would never go back to another model’.”

Lexus collects honours for reliability, NX 450h+ and LC Convertible at What Car? awards

The Lexus NX 450h+ has been named the Plug-in Hybrid of the Year in the What Car? awards, retaining the title it won on its debut a year ago. The presentation ceremony also saw Lexus receive an unprecedented sixth consecutive award for being ranked in first place in the annual What Car? Reliability Survey, while the Lexus LC Convertible was named the Best Convertible for Luxury.

Announcing the award for the NX 450h+, Steve Huntingford, What Car? editor, said: “Some fine plug-in hybrids have been launched in the past year, but none was able to dethrone the Lexus NX450h+. It’s exceptionally efficient, no matter which mode you’re driving in, while comfort, refinement and quality are also outstanding.” 

The 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey drew responses from almost 25,000 people who shared their real-world experiences and opinions of the cars they drive day-to-day.  Huntingford commented: “Lexus finished first for three reasons: its cars rarely go wrong, when they do its technicians fix them quickly, and any repairs needed are usually free.” 

Lexus named UK’s number one for reliability and customer satisfaction by Honest John

Lexus has reaffirmed its position as the UK’s most reliable and satisfying car brand, taking first place in both categories in the 2023 Honest John satisfaction Index. 

Dan Powell, senior editor at HonestJohn.co.uk, said: “This is an incredible double for Lexus, being rated as the UK’s best for both owner satisfaction and reliability. It’s the fourth successive year it has been rated as the best brand for reliability, which is an incredible result for a car company that has had no equal when it comes to build quality in the history of the Honest John Satisfaction Index.  Six thousand car owners took part in our latest index, and Lexus swept its rivals aside to secure the top spot with an average satisfaction score of 92.37%. The Lexus NX (2014-2021 model) emerged as the UK’s best car for reliability, achieving an incredible model average of 9.98 out of 10.” 

Lexus NX honoured as Premium Car of the Year in the Company Car and Van awards

The Lexus NX is the Premium Car of the Year title in the Company Car and Van awards. The second generation of Lexus’s mid-size SUV launched in the UK a year ago and has quickly established itself as a strong proposition in one of the most competitive premium car segments.  

Andrew Walker, Company Car and Van editor, said: “Now offered in a plug-in hybrid guide, the NX ticks the company car box. Climb aboard and Lexus’s famed build quality shines through with this NX a more refined and comfortable car than its predecessor. Lexus has sensibly updated the on-board tech and the model now sits at the top table of premium SUVs.”