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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  Too new to really know, hope 4 best - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Diana - November 15 - 8:13 pm

  Everyone is really impressed with the Lexus. I had originally planned to trade my 2001 RAV4 for an 05 with several upgrades, but by the time it was all added up (and a few combos of features that I didnt care about added on) it was up to $27,000 +. So I asked about a similarly priced used SUV. Thats how I got the Lexus RX300 and it has a better warranty than the new RAV4 would. I do miss the sporty ride of the RAV4 5 speed, and center console of the RX300 is unduly complicated. My coffee mug and water bottle tend to tip in the cupholders. The body side molding on the RAV4 is perfectly positioned to catch any door dings. It doesnt look like the RX300 is. Dorschels great dealership!

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  Hang on for some excitement! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Don Panetti - November 15 - 11:46 am

  I have had the vehicle now for 3 years and the Goodyear Tires were the real downfall of the vehicle They were like skin at 20,000 miles. I really like the acceleration at any speed and the gas mileage is about 28 to 29 highway and anywhere from 26 to 31 in the city, depending on whether I drive on flat or hilly areas. The ride is not the best as the seats are too firm. Handling is great.

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  Fuel Economy? - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Lloyd - November 14 - 5:03 am

  I really enjoy the car, the SUV and the gadgets are fun. BUT, I have never got more than 24.5 mpg.. I thought that I would average at least 27 to 29 mpg, never happened.. I put at least 18,000 miles a year on a car,, not worth it if you are thinking about saving $$$ on fuel... Also the fuel tank could be larger...But I do love being green and doing my part to help save the world from polutants.. The drive, the comfort and the sitting up higher are thing I enjoy. If there was a place for a cell phone that woulsd also be nice.

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  85,000 miles - 2000 Lexus LX 470
  By catdog86 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  A very comfortable vehicle - I bought this new for my wife and it has been a good vehicle for us on trips and daily driving and I love the off-road ability. I have been dissapointed with the reliability of the vehicle and the dealer experience has been poor! I doubt we will buy another one. Originally, I wanted a Mercedes but they didnt (still dont) have anyting large enough for our needs. Overall, Lexus tends to be a little guady with styling and getting worse.

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  Run flat tires - 2007 Lexus SC 430
  By Agatha - November 7 - 3:10 am

  I love driving this car but I have serious problems with tires separating from the rim. Within the last 4 months, I had to replace 3 tires at $400 each. The car does not even have 15K on it. I am an experienced driver but have never experienced such a problem. I believe that the Dunlap run flat tires are of an inferior quality and need improvement. Lexus dealer informed me that these tires are much thinner on the outer portion of the tire. Maybe that is the problem but we as consumers should not suffer from that! When one buys a $65,000 car, he or she should expect quality including the quality of the tires.

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  Certified Quality - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By Brooklyn - November 4 - 2:00 am

  Bought certified 00 RX300 AWD, premium package, 47k mi. Looks, drives, feels like new. Body style virtually the same from 2000- 2003. Shopped around for months-- Acura MDX, Infinit QX4, BMW X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Range Rover Discovery. Lexus probably least "true SUV" of the bunch, but it provides me with what I really NEED (AWD, safety, reliability, quality) and WANT (smooth drive, top notch amenities). Dont plan to take my luxury SUV offroad... Id buy a Jeep for that. This is a luxury vehicle that is capable of hauling 5 adults and cargo comfortably in any weather (rain, snow, shine). Its not for rock climbing, trail riding, etc.

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  What more could you ask for $50K - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By RJQ - October 29 - 2:00 am

  Bought my 2004 GX with Navigation and third row seats. The SUV sits very high which makes visibility great. I have had no problems with the vehicle to date but only have 1,000 miles on the vehicle. The backup camera is priceless as the vehicle has a large blind spot. The navigation and instrumentation is flawless.

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  This is a great SUV - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By 84mb - October 26 - 4:23 pm

  I bought this car after owning and loving my Subaru Legacy for 10 years. I was looking for something with more luxury appointments and better dealer service. The Lexus is a marvel of technology with more toys than anyone could ever hope to use. The navigation system is great. For my personal taste though the cahas more power than it needs and this adversely impacts on the gas mileage which is about 18 on the road. Rear visibility is bad but the large side view mirrors help quite a bit. The high center of gravity makes the car feels tippier than the Subaru but not nearly as bad as an Isuzu Trooper that I used to drive. The quiet and quality of this automobile is outstanding.

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  Best SUV I ever had - 2010 Lexus GX 460
  By esteier - October 24 - 6:13 pm

  I got Base model with most options, couldnt be happier. So far only problem I have is either it needs wheel alignment or tires need air adjustment. It is quiet, luxurious and very comfortable. I am getting used to truck like feeling compared to BMW and Acura SUV I had before. My kids love this SUV.

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  Great car-cannot back up safe - 2001 Lexus LX 470
  By Dennis Fields - October 22 - 10:00 am

  How can such an expensive car not have a warning for back up like the cheaper Fords and GM cars?