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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  1 year and counting - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By bill campion - November 7 - 3:58 pm

  I like the car a lot. The performance is fine, I guess if I were in a huge hurry to get tickets and stuff I would love to have 400 HP under the hood but the little 4 does just fine. Put it into Sport and it dose react to the gas pedal a bit faster but then I like the good gas mileage it gets in ECO. The BMW we sold was getting around 12 mpg, or less in town, this car has been up around 20 mpg in town whats not to like about that. It rides much better than the BMW did but then they are 2 very different types of cars. This is one very nice car to go for a drive in even if it is just to go to Walmart for orange juice. Even on the lousy roads here in San Diego the car rides very nice, in my wives old car it was like being in a fight getting bounced around on the rough roads now it is more like a spirited argument. Wish they would get the roads fixed but that is a whole different subject. The car is actually my wifes car, as was the BMW, and she uses it mostly to go to church and pick up the grandkids, 7, 6 and 13 from school everyday and she loves it. One thing she really likes is the powered lift back now she doesnt have to try and reach the gate to close it, push a button and down it goes. She is quite small, 411", and everything is still easy for her to use, I am 61" and it is very comfortable for me to drive also. All of the technology stuff is great I guess, all I do is put on the Jazz station and enjoy the sound system Lexus has put together in the car. I havent even hooked my phone to the Bluetooth only because I really dont want to be bothered if I am not at work. The attachment points for car seats for the kids could be a little easier to get to , but still not a big ordeal as with some other cars. It has been just a little over a year now and the car is doing just great. Have run it up to Los Angles a couple of times and it ran great. Put on the cruse control, turn on the breeze and turn up the radio and 27 MPG shows up on the dash read out, not to bad for 75 to 80 MPH average, coming back this last weekend we hit traffic, actually we drove thru a parking lot that stretched from Long Beach to San Diego, and it still got 30 MPG. Nice car, lousy traffic. There is one thing that I dont like and it is the piece of trim on the on the console. It looks like a nice padded piece that runs the length of the console, it is not padded very much and it hits the side of my knee and it is real uncomfortable. If it was wider it wouldnt be a problem, a small thing but it still drives me nuts.

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  sweet car - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By jc2436 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  drives unbelievably, very responsive and quick, wish i had got the 5 speed though

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  Why I purchased my Lexus ex350 - 2016 Lexus ES 350
  By Stewart D. Charaton - November 6 - 1:20 pm

  This is a great car.not only in luxury but in value. I have shopped Acura Tl, too small for a large size man, same with Camary and Accord. My main concern was with the new safety technology , I was a driving school supervisor years ago. It has all since I went with the most options, Radio is outstanding Mark Levinson is worth the price. I have owned Infinity Q45, G37x, Acura TL, Acura SL, and Toyota Prius, nothing compares with the car or its value Thank you Lexus, and my 1986 Cressida was just a sample of your quality. Just a note I have not been advised or paid for this endorsement Again, what a auto Stewart Charaton

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  Love my IS - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By livetracker - November 6 - 4:33 am

  N/A

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  Lexus builds another top of the line SUV - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Ed - November 5 - 2:33 pm

  EXCELLENT in most details. The 3rd row seat (as an option) it too tight and a joke at $2,000.00 for the price. Other than that EVERY aspect of the Lexus GX- 470 to OUTSTANDING and top quality.

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  Love the blue - 2009 Lexus GS 450h
  By pat - November 4 - 4:26 pm

  I have had the car for about 18 months now and have very little complaints. My favorites are the engine, the fact that it is a hybrid, the H styling with blue trim. I do which the fuel tank was bigger. While getting 26 -27 MPG the tank is small so I still have to hit the pumps once a week. The trunk is small due to the battery. Overall, the most satisfied I have been with any new car I have ever purchased.

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  lexus gx470 review - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By mike89 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Love it! Thats only when I get to drive it. My wife prefers it over our BMW 328i.

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  Luxury Review - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By surjsondhi - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Great car if you love comfort, value for money and reliability.

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  Try it, Youll like it. - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By H.M. Stauffer - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Just traded to the ES330 from a world famous, overpriced European big black box. Old vehicle was not at all user friendly. Service also wasnt as "sales" sold it. Im glad I changed. The Lexus is just plain fun to drive. So quiet you think the car has stalled when you stop at a light. It "IS" user friendly too. Accessories are where you expect them to be. Not try and find me. No more CDs in the trunk. Service with the Lexus is better than I expected. To date everything has been good. Id do it again without hesitation.

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  Lexus RX 330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Patti White - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Overall this SUV is wonderful. It has excellent turning radius compared to the RX 300. The automatic rear door is a beneficial feature because the door opens via remote from the key fob. Lexus also gives excellent service.