Overview & Reviews

Lexus has earned a well-deserved reputation for turning out utterly refined luxury vehicles. The hallmarks of this brand are a quiet, well-crafted cabin, a plush ride and commendable performance from powerful, nearly silent engines.

Lexus began out of a desire by parent company Toyota to create a world-class luxury car brand. Groundwork for Lexus was laid in the mid-1980s, when the company began tapping U.S. focus groups in an attempt to define design concepts best suited for American consumers. Hundreds of prototypes were built and tested on Germany's autobahn and on U.S. roads.

In early 1989, the company unveiled its first two models (which would debut for the 1990 model year) -- the entry-level ES 250 sedan and the flagship LS 400 sedan. The LS 400 was lauded by both journalists and consumers alike for offering a stellar luxury-car experience, with a remarkably silent cabin, superb build quality and a refined V8 engine. At the same time, the LS was priced considerably lower than smaller, lesser-equipped, six-cylinder European rival luxury sedans.

By the early 1990s, the Lexus brand was expanded to other markets, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. More models were added to the lineup, including the SC 300 and SC 400 coupes and the brand's first luxury performance sedan, the GS 300. By decade's end, the company had added SUVs (in the form of the LX 450/LX 470 and RX 300) and had sold more than a million vehicles in the U.S.

The first decade of the 2000s saw Lexus proving itself a trend setter with the launch of many hybrid-powered versions of its vehicles such as the RX 400h and the GS 450h. And by 2011, Lexus even introduced a world-class supercar, the LFA.

In the years since its inception, the Lexus brand has distinguished itself time and again in quality and reliability surveys. The brand's vehicles may not offer as much passion as some Teutonic rivals, but for drivers interested in vehicles that emphasize quality, dependability and comfort, the Lexus marque is hard to beat.

User Reviews:

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  Its a Lexus LEMON - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By dan4van - March 2 - 5:09 am

  Nothing but issues with the Transmission slip,jerks,jumps. My biggest complaint is that my Lexus RX 330 doesnt no what gear to use. Now it started to make that whinning noise. My lexus only has 74000 miles and its done. I am more that unhappy with Lexus so much money for a LEMON. Yes its been pampered all of its life and still give me problems. LEXUS NEVER AGAIN.

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  Poor Ride, Noisy and Cheap Finishes! - 2014 Lexus ES 350
  By JC - January 31 - 7:03 am

  If youre expecting a quiet smooth ride like the older models forget it! This is my 3rd and last Lexus ... theyve cheapened it so much. When you close the door it sounds like a tin can. So disappointed. Air cooling on the ventilated front seats even after the fix is still poor. Use to be a great car ... now it feels like a toyota.

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  RUSTMOBILE - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By JOHNSONB - January 23 - 1:30 pm

  THIS CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS DEFECTS SINCE PURCHASING. THE MAIN PROBLEM IS BODY RUST. I CHECKED FLORIDA LEMON LAW CASES AND FOUND MANY DISPUTES WITH THIS MODEL.TOO BAD I DIDNT DO MY RESEARCH BEFORE PURCHASING.

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  Inferior seating material - 2012 Lexus ES 350
  By Craig Mack - January 20 - 10:14 am

  On a 500 mile road trip you will notice how Lexus cut corners. The pleather armrest irritated my elbow so bad that on the way back from Miami I had to buy a hand towel to cover armrest to keep elbow from hurting. Never had this issue on road trips in my Mercedes or Jaguar!

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  Body integrity is the issue - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By used2lovelexo - December 29 - 8:16 pm

  The new GS 430 2006 has plenty of technical features, unfortunately this was my third lexus purchase but the worst. The body integrity is very poor I had a 18mph accident and the car damages $10,000, the other car had a minor fender bend.

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  Shame on you Toyota (Lexus) - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By Steve - October 5 - 11:06 am

  I purchased my Lexus RX300 when it was 1 year old and I knew the previous owner (engineer very good at maintaining). I have been pretty good abut keeping up with oil changes etc., and I have spent more money on this car than any car Ive owned previously (Toyota or otherwise). First it was engine sludge and last month it was a new transmission. I now again have an emerging engine sludge problem and Lexus is again claiming no responsibility. I buy new and drive my cars forever, but my Lexus at 98,000 miles is the worst purchase Ive ever made. I will not be buying a Toyota ever again.

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  Great Ride - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By C H Harper - July 9 - 3:20 pm

  Great SUV, RX has come a long way,but the original series was a much better handling for urban driving. Have a 2015 and its great but not as nimble as the older models. Recommend RX. Its so dependable and Dealers are excellent. Gas mileage is a not as good as some others in the same price range. Hopefully. Lexus IS working on this limitation. RXs perform much better on premium fuel. Gas mileage is not changed much but the performance is much improved.

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  Disapointed - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By Jayson - June 24 - 11:55 am

  This car is not as Refined as the past RX SUV. The Shifting is rough and the 8 speed Tranny is very Rough ,it seems like it is not sure sometime between 7 and 8. I think they should remap the Trans. I finally just use manual and use #7 and that stops all the up and back shifting for now. The engine is Very Loud and I hate that.I I really think Lexus should give is some help with these things. My Truck rides 100% better and quit too.

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  Any older Lexus may be tempting, but dont do it.. - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By Kevin - May 31 - 8:40 am

  Bought my 1999 RX300 for peanuts and thought it was a killer deal. Low miles, dealer serviced. But save yourself the headache and just dont do it. Yes these are technically "Toyotas", but the newest RX300s are now over 14 years old. They are a PITA to work on. Mine just went into limp mode due to bad knock sensors, and I just spent $685 for that. Parts were only $185, but it took ten hours of labor to change them. Drove it home, and when I parked it, it started idling at 2k rpm. Back to the shop it went! Ive now been without my Lexus for two weeks. Fuel economy on my AWD model is terrible and it has very little power. Its comfortable and safe, but expect to spend ALOT on repairs.

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  Not quite worth the money. - 2002 Lexus LX 470
  By Joshua - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Its far to large. No reason for it to be made. Horrible fuel mielage. Not great looking. High price for not such a great vehicle. Horrible engine.... Much to slow, no power at all.