Entry Premium Vehicle Segment
Highest Ranked: 2005 Lexus IS
In its final year before a complete redesign, the 2005 Lexus IS 300 (in sedan and SportCross wagon body styles) was falling behind the segment leaders in power and refinement, but not dependability—as proved by the results of our latest vehicle dependability study. Originally conceived as the answer to the BMW 3 Series that Lexus needed to woo sport sedan buyers, the rear-drive IS 300 varied from the traditional Lexus recipe of isolating occupants in rolling cocoons decked out in copious amounts of leather-and-wood. Rather, this was a machine that allowed the driver to feel the road, to steer with precision, to bend into a corner with confidence. Inside the IS was all business with well-bolstered seats and a distinct lack of luxury-oriented glitz. The unique Sport Cross model added further appeal by enhancing cargo space without detracting from the driving experience.
The 2005 Lexus IS ranks highest among the 14 models in the Entry Premium Vehicle segment of the 2008 VDS. The IS achieves an index score of 122 PP100, compared to the segment average of 182 PP100—a difference of 60 PP100, and an improvement of 13 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Lexus IS performs at or above the segment average in all nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Seats
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Transmission
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Lexus IS, the top three problem areas are:
- Uneven tire wear
- Wind noise
- Noisy brakes
2005 Lexus IS NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: Not Tested
- Frontal Passenger Rating: Not Tested
- Side Driver Rating: 5 Stars (w/ Side Air Bags)
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: 5 Stars (w/ Side Air Bags)
- Rollover Rating: 5 Stars (w/ Side Air Bags)
2005 Lexus IS EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- 16 mpg city (manual or automatic transmission)
- 23 mpg highway (manual or automatic transmission)
- 18 mpg combined (manual or automatic transmission)
Ranked No. 2: 2005 BMW 3 Series
Ranked No. 3: 2005 BMW X3
Midsize Premium Car Segment
Highest Ranked: 2005 Lexus ES
Representing a more traditional take on this luxury manufacturer’s approach to the market, the 2005 Lexus ES 330 was based on the Toyota Camry and emphasized a smooth ride quality, a quiet interior, cushy seating and lots of little luxuries that buyers in the class could appreciate. Among them were several new features for 2005, including front seats that could be cooled on hot days, an improved navigation system with new voice control, and enhancements to the front seat memory and power mirror systems. Styling was also freshened, and larger 17-inch wheels became available.
The 2005 Lexus ES ranks highest among the 12 models in the Midsize Premium Car segment of the 2008 VDS. The ES achieves an index score of 101 PP100, compared to the segment average of 164 PP100—a difference of 63 PP100, and an improvement of 43 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Lexus ES performs at or above the segment average in eight of the nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Seats
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Lexus ES, the top three problem areas are:
- Transmission shifts roughly
- Transmission slips/shifts erratically
- Seat belt buckle won’t latch
2005 Lexus ES NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: Not Tested
- Frontal Passenger Rating: Not Tested
- Side Driver Rating: 5 Stars (w/ Side Air Bags)
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: 4 Stars (w/ Side Air Bags)
- Rollover Rating: 4 Stars (w/ Side Air Bags)
2005 Lexus ES EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- 18 mpg city
- 27 mpg highway
- 21 mpg combined
Ranked No. 2: 2005 Lexus GS
Ranked No. 3: 2005 Acura RL
Large Premium Car Segment
Highest Ranked: 2005 Lexus LS
When the Lexus LS arrived in 1990, established American and European luxury automakers scoffed at the notion that an upscale Japanese nameplate would be taken seriously by consumers. It didn’t take long, however, before Lexus posed a serious threat to the best of either breed in terms of luxury appointments, style, and, as shown by the 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study, reliability. For 2005, Lexus made few changes to its flagship luxury sedan. In an effort to add some spice to the LS owner’s life, a new suspension option equipped with larger 18-inch wheels attempted to add a hint of driving pleasure to the rather isolated and soft LS.
The 2005 Lexus LS ranks highest among the seven models in the Large Premium Car segment of the 2008 VDS. The LS achieves an index score of 72 PP100, compared to the segment average of 126 PP100—a difference of 54 PP100, and an improvement of 22 PP100 from last year’s study. Additionally, the 2005 Lexus LS performs at or above the segment average in all nine problem categories in the study, including:
- Ride, handling and braking
- Features and controls
- Seats
- Sound system
- Heating, ventilation and cooling
- Vehicle exterior
- Vehicle interior
- Transmission
- Engine
According to original owners of the 2005 Lexus LS, the top three problem areas are:
- Wind noise
- Vehicle pulling to the left or right
- Uneven tire wear
2005 Lexus LS NHTSA Crash Test Scores (1 to 5 Star scale; 5 being safest):
- Frontal Driver Rating: Not Tested
- Frontal Passenger Rating: Not Tested
- Side Driver Rating: Not Tested
- Side Rear Passenger Rating: Not Tested
- Rollover Rating: Not Tested
2005 Lexus LS EPA Fuel Economy (adjusted to 2008 calculation methods):
- 16 mpg city
- 23 mpg highway
- 18 mpg combined
Ranked No. 2: 2005 Lincoln Town Car
Ranked No. 3: 2005 Cadillac DeVille
More Research
View Vehicle Dependability Ratings
Read the Press Release
2008 Vehicle Dependability Study
Subcompact and Compact Cars
Midsize and Large Cars
Sporty Cars
Multi-activity Vehicles (MAVs)
Premium MAVs
Pickups and Vans
