Last updated: 2026-03-28
Lexus UX vs Volkswagen Taos: Reliability Compared
Lexus UX
Volkswagen Taos
Choosing between the Lexus UX and the Volkswagen Taos? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Lexus UX currently leads with an average score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Lexus UX is more reliable than the Volkswagen Taos, scoring 80/100 vs 69/100.
Key Differences
- 1Lexus UX scores 11 points higher in reliability
- 2Lexus UX has 4 fewer total recalls
- 3Lexus UX has a 1-star higher safety rating
Category Scoreboard
Lexus UX vs Volkswagen Taos: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Lexus UX | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 80/100 | 69/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 5 |
| Total Recalls | 2 | 6 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 1.2 | 0.6 |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 4 | 0 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Lexus UX and Volkswagen Taos?
| Component | Lexus UX | Volkswagen Taos |
|---|---|---|
| ENGINE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | —None | —None |
| STEERING | —None | —None |
| SUSPENSION | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Lexus UX vs Volkswagen Taos Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Lexus UX | Volkswagen Taos | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 77/1001R / 2C | 69/1000R / 3C | Lexus UX |
| 2024 | 80/1000R / 1C | 74/1000R / 41C | Lexus UX |
| 2023 | 80/1000R / 1C | 73/1000R / 87C | Lexus UX |
| 2022 | 80/1000R / 2C | 59/1006R / 277C | Lexus UX |
| 2026(predicted) | 79/100(predicted) | 72/100(predicted) | Lexus UX |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Lexus UX scored 80/100 and the 2024 Volkswagen Taos scored 74/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Lexus UX vs Volkswagen Taos: Common Questions
- Is the Lexus UX more reliable than the Volkswagen Taos?
- Based on our data, the Lexus UX is more reliable with an average score of 80/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Lexus UX or the Volkswagen Taos?
- The Volkswagen Taos has more recalls (6) compared to the Lexus UX (2). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Lexus UX or the Volkswagen Taos?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Volkswagen Taos has a lower complaint rate at 0.6 per 10,000 sold versus 1.2 for the Lexus UX. This per-sales normalization gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Is the Lexus UX or Volkswagen Taos safer?
- Based on NHTSA crash test ratings, the Lexus UX has a higher overall safety rating of 5/5 stars compared to 4/5 for the Volkswagen Taos. Check sub-ratings (frontal, side, rollover) above for a more detailed safety comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Lexus UX comparisons
How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent — Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good — Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed — Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky — Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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