Low end cars tend to be more reliable as they're:

1. Built at a larger scale and at lower margins, so thoroughly tested beforehand.

2. Equipped with fewer features which might require maintenance.

3. Using generationally older powertrains oriented for economy, not performance.

That being said Lexus' original differentiator was reliability - particularly versus its peers price wise.

Also I guess this doesn't apply to various four wheeled appliance manufacturers like GM, Ford, Stellantis, Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi, all of whom do cheap out on essential components.