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2. Lexus GX 550 — Body-on-Frame, Bullet-Proof
Quick specs (MY 2025)
- Engine: 3.4-L twin-turbo V6, 349 hp / 479 lb-ft; 10-speed automatic, full-time 4WD with Torsen LSD (lexus.com, nplexusrgv.com)
- EPA economy: 15 mpg city / 21 hwy / 17 combined (caranddriver.com)
- Towing capacity: Up to 9,096 lb (properly equipped) (nplexusrgv.com)
- Seating / cargo: 7 (6 in Overtrail); 45.6 cu ft max behind 1st row (edmunds.com)
- Dependability laurels: Winner — “Midsize Premium SUV” in the 2025 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study; Lexus also tops the study overall with 140 PP100 (jdpower.com, jdpower.com)
- Predicted reliability: Consumer Reports rates the GX “More reliable than most new cars” based on brand history and prior-gen data (consumerreports.org)
Why it grabs the silver
The GX didn’t just ride Lexus’s brand halo; it outranked every rival in its segment for owner-reported problems after three years, earning J.D. Power’s midsize-premium SUV trophy. Pair that with decades-deep off-road hardware and a reputation for running 300k miles on original drivetrains, and the GX cruises into our No. 2 slot with ease.
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High fives — owner-approved perks
| 👍 Advantage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tank-grade drivetrain | Non-electrified, twin-turbo V6 is understressed and shared with Land Cruiser Prado cousins. |
| 8k-plus-lb tow rating | Beats most midsize luxury rivals; ideal for Airstream weekends. |
| Standard Lexus Safety System + 3.0 | Adds intersection AEB & lane-trace — baked into every trim. |
| 14-in Lexus Interface + OTA updates | Modern UI finally replaces the old touch-pad headache. |
Caveats — where the armor shows dents
| 👎 Drawback | Trade-off |
|---|---|
| Thirsty on pavement | 17 mpg combined is Tundra territory. |
| Tall step-in & roof | Kids and garages may both gripe. |
| Limited cargo with 3rd row up | Just 11 cu ft — a RAV4 hauls more Costco boxes. |
| Body-on-frame ride | Kinetic suspension calms it, but bumps still register versus a unibody BMW X5. |
Verdict
If your idea of “luxury” is never missing a vacation because something broke, the 2025 GX is your spirit animal. It guzzles more fuel than a crossover, yet pays you back with near-zero shop time, yacht-class towing, and legendary resale. For American families who overland on Saturday and commute on Monday — and want a vehicle that shrugs off both — the Lexus GX rightfully earns the No. 2 spot on our 2025 reliability leaderboard.
1. Toyota Avalon — The Quiet Champion That Won the Whole Study
Quick specs (last-gen MY 2022*)
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- Engines:
- 3.5-L V-6, 301 hp / 267 lb-ft, 8-speed auto, FWD (only power-train in 2022) (caranddriver.com, edmunds.com)
- Avalon Hybrid: 2.5-L I-4 + dual motors, 215 hp, e-CVT, 43 mpg city / 44 hwy / 44 combined (caranddriver.com, caranddriver.com)
- EPA economy (V-6): 22 mpg city / 31 hwy / 25 combined (edmunds.com)
- Cargo room: 16.1 cu ft trunk (all trims) (edmunds.com)
- Original MSRP: ≈ $36,375 – $43,075 (2022 XLE → Touring) — now a sweet-spot CPO buy.
- Dependability crown: Top overall model in the 2025 J.D. Power Vehicle Dependability Study — lowest PP100 score in the entire survey. (jdpower.com, carscoops.com)
*Toyota ended U.S. Avalon production in Aug. 2022 (replaced by the Crown), so the J.D. Power trophy reflects how well these sedans age three years down the line — the same window a 2025 used-car shopper cares about. (edmunds.com)
High fives — owner-approved perks
| 👍 Advantage | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Tank-tough 3.5 V-6 | The naturally aspirated 2GR-FKS has logged taxi fleets past 300 k mi with little beyond oil and filters. |
| Lexus-lite ride | Adaptive dampers (Touring) + acoustic glass turn I-95 commutes into library runs. |
| Hybrid option sips fuel | 44 mpg combo without Prius looks — perfect for Lyft drivers who hate downtime. |
| 16-cu-ft trunk | Swallows four golf bags or a month of Costco in one shot. |
| Resale + CPO deals | Discontinued status means steep depreciation up front but bullet-proof value in years 4-10. |
Caveats — where the halo dulls
| 👎 Drawback | Trade-off |
|---|---|
| Not sold new | You’ll shop CPO lots, not showrooms — some buyers want that new-car smell. |
| Big-car thirst (V-6) | 25 mpg combined trails newer turbo fours; the hybrid fixes it but is rarer. |
| Front-drive only | Snow-belt owners need winter tires; AWD never made the options list. |
| Button-heavy dash | Old-school ergonomics age well for durability, but feel dated next to giant-screen rivals. |
Verdict
In a market obsessed with crossovers, the Avalon quietly posted the fewest owner-reported problems of any vehicle J.D. Power measured — beating SUVs, trucks, hybrids, even EVs. Its blend of stone-axe V-6 reliability, hush-quiet cabin, and Lexus-adjacent build quality earns the big sedan our gold medal for 2025 dependability.
If your goal is to drive — not wrench — for the next decade, the humble Avalon stands tall as America’s most trustworthy set of wheels, even from the used-car lot. (jdpower.com, carscoops.com)
Closing Thoughts — Reliability Still Rules the Road
When the dust settles (and the warranty expires), the numbers tell a clear story: dependability isn’t an accident — it’s engineered. From Toyota’s iron-clad Corolla and Camry to Lexus’ lux-tough GX, Japan’s playbook of simple powertrains and relentless quality control still dominates the reliability leaderboard. Yet 2025 shows welcome variety: a featherweight Mazda roadster, a BMW EV that finally pairs giggle-inducing torque with owner peace-of-mind, and a budget-friendly Hyundai hybrid that turns fuel stops into a rarity.
A few big patterns emerged:
- Hybrids and plain-Jane naturally aspirated engines come out ahead. Fewer turbos, fewer failures.
- Body-on-frame SUVs are back — and bullet-proof. The Lexus GX proves old-school construction can survive modern abuse.
- Used can be the smartest “new.” The discontinued Toyota Avalon topped the entire J.D. Power study, reminding shoppers that a certified-pre-owned deal sometimes trumps a showroom shine.
- EV reliability is catching up. BMW’s i4 cracked the top tier, hinting that electric drivetrains can match — or beat — their gas peers when executed right.
So, whether you’re cross-shopping compact commuters, dreaming of sport-scar weekends, or hunting a family hauler that won’t hijack the household budget, this Top-10 list proves one thing: choosing reliability today is the easiest way to save time, money, and sanity tomorrow. Test-drive with your heart, but sign on the dotted line with your head — and let the J.D. Power data be your back-seat navigator. Happy hunting, and may your next set of wheels spend more time on the highway than on a lift.
