Lexus RX Ranked as the Most Reliable Vehicle on the Market by J.D. Power

WATERTOWN, Mass., March 4, 2013 — Historically, SUVs have generally received a reputation for being less reliable than cars, but the Lexus RX recently defied that perception and then some. The luxury midsize utility was found to be the highest ranked of any vehicle in the J.D. Power and Associates 2013 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), marking the first time ever in the 24 years of the report that an SUV or crossover emerged as the winner.

J.D. Power determined the leaders of its 2013 VDS by surveying more than 37,000 original owners of 2010-model-year vehicles after they had been with their rides for three years. Each model's dependability score was calculated based on the number of problems that owners experienced per 100 vehicles. With just 57 problems reported per 100 vehicles, Lexus' RX saw the least amount of issues in the auto industry, propelling the luxury marque past all other brands in overall dependability for the second straight year.

"The truth is that SUVs have become a lot more dependable across all segments in recent years, but the Lexus RX has always been ahead of the curve," said Vincent Liuzzi, general manager of Lexus of Watertown, a Greater Boston Lexus dealer. "The remarkable thing is that RX buyers get all the cost savings and peace of mind that come with owning an incredibly reliable vehicle, but they also receive the most intuitive technology and the highest-quality interior materials."

That mix of reliability and refinement recently earned the Lexus RX a pair of awards from U.S. News & World Report as well. In its 2013 Best Cars for the Money Awards, the news publication announced the RX 350 as the winner in the Luxury Midsize SUVs with 2 Rows category, while the RX 450h earned top billing in the Hybrid SUVs segment. Award winners were determined by a variety of factors, including the opinions of the automotive press, J.D. Power and Associates' reliability research, TrueCar.com's cost-of-ownership data, and crash-test ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

For the 2013 model year, the Lexus RX received a more aggressive front fascia, donning the brand's new signature spindle grille and a swooping headlamp design that incorporates LED daytime running lights. That bolder look was accompanied by the arrival of the all-new RX 350 F SPORT trim, which benefits from an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters and an F SPORT-tuned suspension. The performance model adds more athletic styling cues as well, like 19-inch split five-spoke wheels in Dark Graphite and an exclusive sport front bumper and mesh grille.

"Like the rest of the Lexus lineup, the new RX is sleeker and sportier than ever, but customers can expect the SUV to remain just as reliable," added Liuzzi. "When it comes down to it, luxury buyers certainly want dependability, but they are ultimately making their decisions based on how the vehicle makes them feel, and the latest Lexus RX has the style and performance to appeal to drivers' desires."

About Lexus of Watertown:
Lexus of Watertown is a recipient of multiple Elite of Lexus awards, given annually to dealerships that showcase overall excellence. They have a wide selection of new and certified pre-owned Lexus models, in addition to an exemplary service department that keeps customers coming back. Easily accessible from MetroWest, the North Shore and the South Shore, Lexus of Watertown is just minutes off the Mass Pike between Route 128 and Route 93. For more information, visit them online at www.lexusofwatertown.com, call them at 888-667-9785, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LexusWatertown, or stop by their showroom at 330 Arsenal Street in Watertown, Mass.