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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  Love-Hate Relationship with my RX 330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By T N Tracy - November 3 - 6:06 pm

  On the highway, the RX 330 drives like a dream, but in-town driving is a different story. The transmission is terrible when shifting from first to second gear; too much hesitation. The headlights have a blind spot in curves. I expected more at this price point.

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  The Car I have been waiting for. - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By Donald R. Marabella - November 3 - 11:06 am

  This is the car I have been waiting for it is alive. To drive it is a true pleasure. I actually enjoy driving again.

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  As expected from Lexus - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By KDUB - November 3 - 1:13 am

  This is my third Lexus and I have come to expect the best. The ES 350 did not let me down. More than a little peppy, yet I am getting more than 23 mpg city. All the creature comforts one could want and a pleasure to drive.

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  98 Lexus LS400 - 1998 Lexus LS 400
  By rbestor - November 2 - 2:00 am

  Superior car except transmission

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  Simply the Best... - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By RDC - November 1 - 7:06 pm

  I traded a 1999 LS400 which was near perfect...but the 2005 LS 430 w/the Nav-Sport Package....is just perfect ! It sells itself...but the quality & reliability cant be understated !

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  Well-Rounded Comfort, Performance & Value - 2014 Lexus ES 350
  By Dino - October 31 - 4:27 pm

  Traded my 2014 Camry SE for the 2014 ES 350 Base & couldnt be happier. Overall excellent purchase including price (value for $ spent) & dealer experience. Have been eyeing this model for some time & was very familiar with the platform via my Camry, which I also was very happy with (SE model only; didnt like other trim levels.) The seat comfort & adjustability is excellent while lumbar support is better than the Camrys. At 6 ft, 1 in, have no problems with ingress & egress. I have the base model car with dark grey / light grey colors. I love it. The NuLuxe (read: vinyl) material is perfect for me as I go to gym daily & play tennis 3-4 days per week & meticulously care for my vehicles; one less maintenance item to contend with servicing the leather several times each year as I do for my wifes Murano. Have HID headlights but no Nav or B/U camera. No worries for me as I have never had those in any car. Use my TomTom & iPhone for Nav. Paid $21k for 1-owner, no accident vehicle from Mercedes dealer in Pampano Beach, FL with 10k miles of warranty remaining. Like the push-button diagnostics that includes air pressure volume per tire to help maintain proper wear & safety. Can hardly purchase any super-nice vehicle at that price that even nears the luxury, comfort, reliability & performance of this car. As stated above, excellent experience with vehicle & dealer. Have only pressed the gas pedal hard twice & WOW this thing really accelerates but is smooth & quiet at the same time. Purchased a Lexus SUV for my daughter last year & that is how I caught the Lexus bug. At 52, cannot imagine owning anything else.

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  Cant beat it! - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By roho - October 31 - 5:16 am

  Bought new just before the 05 version took over, and still love it! Tires (Michelin) have gone away quickly; could it be the driver? The car is divine. Drivers seat was replaced at one year of age when power lumbar support died.

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  Great automobile and reliability - 2010 Lexus LS 460
  By rpl3 - October 31 - 2:47 am

  This is my 7th Lexus, 4 LS models and 3 RX models. Simply the best driving auto I ever have had. Dependable and for the comfort and size, the MPG is great. Overall 24 on the LS and 26 on the RX. Lexus service is fantastic and accommadating.

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  Almost Great but can use some Twikes - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Ralph - October 30 - 9:40 pm

  After 6 mos and 7k I can say I hate and I mean HATE the center storage I dread every time I have to get something out It is set to far back and that stupid box you have to pull out to get to the usb and acc plug what a hassle i can not believe the money and not one side molding not a single lousy strip The MPG could be better but I am satisfied It is better then my Envoy This my 2nd Lexus but my 1st SUV so I am pretty happy about the ride and comfort compared to the GMCs & Dodges I have had in the past I am still not sure if the Money is worth the car for what you get The real test for me will be repairs if after warranty the costs stay low compared to there sedan I will buy another

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  Fast Cruiser - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Cruiser/Los Angeles - October 30 - 9:26 pm

  Been searching for months for 01, with Navigation in pearl white/white. Best car I have ever owned. Super smooth, VERY comfortable, very quick/fast. Better than listed mpg, gets 30 mpg freeway. Navigation very easy/useful. M.L stereo is incredible. I go for a drive now to relax ! Headlights are great. Trunk is huge. Wife and kids love it. Its a perfect 10 !