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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  After 7,200 miles, the good and the bad - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By ghager - June 28 - 1:00 am

  Mileage is disappointing; I get 22-24. Nice looking wheels, but watch out at the curb - too easy to ding. Visibility a problem front and rear. Bluetooth sub-par; friends complain they can barely hear me. GPS interface very user unfriendly at first. A matter of taste, but the exterior is odd looking. Voice command is flukey; I crack up my niece by telling it to do something and getting a bizarre response. I dont feel confident throwing it around corners. All this said, I like it - good, quiet, solid ride. Acceleration quite strong when needed. Dont think Ill get another, though.

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  Too quiet - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By 6th time around - June 27 - 6:20 am

  This is my 6th Lexus and the quietest yet...I can barely hear the car when I am stopped at a light....several times I have attempted to get out of the car with the motor running because it was so silent and still while in park...I can drive a thousand miles and not feel it in my car....I just wonder why I cannot put the 18 gallons of gas in my ES 330 and why I am not getting the 300plus miles from a full tank.

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  IS350 on steroids - 2010 Lexus IS F
  By Kona Man - June 26 - 5:23 pm

  The ISF replaced my 09 IS350 which replaced my 06 IS350. Everyone likes something different... I like the second generation IS series. Ive only had my F car for about two weeks but have logged enough to have an informed opinion on the vehicle. Theyre great. Power, handling, and looks with Toyotas reliability. (sorry, Im not buying the media Toyotas feeding frenzy.) I savor the reported shortcomings of the F. I do not find the ride bad for a sports sedan nor does the lack of a u-shift it tranny concern me. These cars provide a wickedly quick ride, incredible handling, in a good locking wrapper. All the fun of an M3 without being on a first name basis with my service adviser,

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  This is the best car I have ever owned!! - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By mleelanning - June 26 - 3:30 pm

  I previously owned a BMW 3 Series. Although I did enjoy this car, my Lexus ES 350 is by far a better vehicle. It has more room overall, the climate control, sound system, and gas mileage is so much better! I look forward to getting into my vehicle every morning! Thanks Lexus!!

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  Still one of the worlds best cars. - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By excelsior1 - June 25 - 6:10 pm

  When the LS first appeared on the scene, it was so good that it scared Mercedes into over designing their cars resulting in reliability issues and the loss of the stately image that was their hallmark. Now the Lexus LS has become the standard bearer for those who want a solid, stately, reliable luxury car. The LS 430 executes this mission flawlessly, It rides beautifully, refreshing the driver with every trip. It handles any road surface well. The build quality and reliability are world class. Controls are simple and driver friendly. The Mercedes W126(1979-1991) had many similar traits for its time. I still own a Mercedes 1986 420 SEL and the Lexus LS 430 is its natural successor.

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  Waited a year for the NX to arrive - 2015 Lexus NX 300h
  By socaldriver15 - June 23 - 10:04 am

  I had been looking for a compact SUV for about a year and test drove pretty much everything on the market. I had been driving a 2001 Lexus RX300 and really loved that car and did not want the larger footprint of the newer RX models. My ideal car would be the layout of the old RX300 with updated electronics and slightly sportier handling, with the comfort typical of lexus and toyota seating. The new NX was the closest I could find to my ideal car. It has a footprint closer to the old RX than to the new RX and has sportier handling than the new RX. It can park in the compact spots in my parking garage at work although it is a tight fit.

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  First Lexus - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Michael - June 22 - 11:46 pm

  This has been one of the best purchases I have made. This LUV is quiet and comfortable. Nice change from a trucky SUV. The NAV system is so easy to use, only minutes to go thru the entire menu. Quality thru out the car. Heads up display is terrific. Steering is numb but I dont care. The power boost on the steering is consistent, never over-assisted. Seats are comfortable and I like that both driver and passenger seats have all the same features. No regrets at all.

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  2004 SC430 - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By dpm - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Enjoy the outdoors while driving is an amazing experience. Enjoy the completely automatic retractable roof - no manual latching or fighting with the top. Pick-up is good. Very comfortable to drive. Although the backseat and trunk space are limited, I didnt purchase the vehicle for space. I purchased it for the experience!

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  Should have bought a Lexus earlier!!! - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By J.W. - June 22 - 10:00 am

  After driving the 2004 LS430, I couldnt believe that I actually drove a Mercedes S-class for 5 years without thinking about a Lexus. This Lexus is sooooo quiet!!! Everything inside this car feels so refined and comfortable. The ventilated front seat is really a treat on an(unusually hot) October afternoon. The Mark Levinson system is much better than the Bose system on the Mercedes. The navigation system seemed hard to use at first, but once mastered, it is rather intuitive. The keyless entry feature is really cool, too. This is the best car I have owned so far in my 27 years on earth!!!

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  Lexus RX 330 Review - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By TMH - June 22 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle has lived up to, and in some cases exceeded, my expectations. It handles nearly as good as my 1999 Mercedes E320 AWD and is as versatile and dependable as my 2002 Toyota 4- Runner. I am extremely satisfied with the dealership where I purchased the vehicle. The only problem I have had is finding a small rattle in the dash when traveling over roads that produce a slight vibration in the suspension.