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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  no need to ask - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By bill h. - March 1 - 2:20 pm

  Im old enough not to have to put up with the stiff ride of other cars along with the rattles, difficulty of entry, loud road noise & noisy engines that idle rough. LS 430 does none of this.

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  hybrid - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By bcm1112 - March 1 - 3:33 am

  this hybrid drives very nice, but the actual fuel mileage isnt what the sticker says prior to purchasing.

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  Somewhat disappointed - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By J. Liu - February 27 - 11:46 am

  Like many of the loyal Lexus owners. This is my 3rd RX 350. This is the first time Ive written any review on the RX 350. The previous were 2011 and 2015 version. They both were great. Although I did read all the negative comments, but, I still went for this 3rd RX 350, thinking, it cant be that bad. Well, after one week in this vehicle, I can now see and feel all the complaints in the previous reviews. Pros: Sportier Look, mean looking Grill, Excellent Interior Finish, I just had it one week, could not comment on the Reliability. But, the same Lexus quality, is apparent in this vehicle. Great Warranty and Service of the Lexus dealership. Cons: 1. Navagation and Audio control function logics SUCKS ! ITS COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT, and operation very illogical. Dont even think about making changes, delete, during driving. The difficulty in operating the navigation system, makes it very hazardous during driving. Id give this a 1 star .... Very poor. What happened here ? Why didnt the Lexus design engineers adopt to the simple, mature, and logical operation commands of the current GPS in the market place ? This is a major disappointment. Although I love the 12" display. But, the operation and controls simply way too cumbersome and poorly designed. 2. Audio control, complicated and difficult to set and navigate during driving. And not responsive at all. there seemingly a few seconds delay, previous Lexus version, the response was swift and quick. Very poor design. It makes the operation very frustrating, and takes the enjoyment out of music. 3. The little mouse pointer.....You have to be EXACTLY AND PRECISELY dead-on, and the pointer is so so so so sensitive, very difficult to land exactly on the target. Very bad design. Very distracting, especially during driving. Dont attempt to operate this during driving, very hazardous. My other car is a BMW, the control is so much easier and accurate to operate. Lexus, Lexus, whats gotten into you ! ? 4. The doors are very heavy to open and close, comparing to previous models. 5. The gear shifting in all my previous RX 350 are smooth as silk. Although there were noise, it was more like the exhaust noise. But, in the 2016 RX 350, the noise. Especially during start-up acceleration , the humming sound from the engine seems louder, but, the worst part, is the gear shift are a bit rough, and no longer smooth. The 2015 RX350 and my BMW 5 series, the gear shifts very quiet, and so smooth, its hardly noticeable. But, this 2016 RX 350, it is very noticeable. Well, after all this is said, this is still a good SUV to have. Im just a bit disappointed and a bit anxious to finish the current lease of my RX 350, and move on to the next one. Hopefully a much better car in the future.

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  Fun toys, great MPG, good size - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By bdalton - February 26 - 8:30 am

  I purchased my Prem HS 250h with navigation, backup camera and rear spoiler in APR 2010 and got the 1.9% APR special. (Starfire ext/Black int). I found that I was not able to get the 35/34 MPG from the 1st tank of fuel. From the 2nd and 3rd, it just gets better and better. I am now on my 3rd and getting 36.7 in 50% city/50% hwy driving. The navi menus take some getting used to as well as the predictive text for voice command. Destination Assist and Lexus Enform is really handy (which I thought I would not use). One thing that is a little irritating is that some menu choices in the navi menus are not available once the car begins to move. As soon as you stop, they are workable. Safety issue? :)

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  RX300 vs Audi A6 - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By Ulf - February 25 - 2:00 am

  After driving a lot of new Audi 100/A6 Avant Q for more than fifthen years I told my self it was time to try something different. After a long period of evaluation my choice was Lexus and the RX model. I have not regretted that choice for a single moment. This car works!! - if you compare with Audi that spent a lot of time with the servicetech. guys. The whole family loves it!!

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  Love the car - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By latona - February 23 - 5:53 am

  I purchased from a lease and will keep this car as long as I am driving. Not my best decision for a primary car to drive my commute to work because I have already had to replace the "run-flat tires" twice! I love driving an almost 4 year old car and the brand new ones look identical !!

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  Toms Lexus - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Thomas Merola - February 22 - 4:46 pm

  My RX 330 is probably the best car I have ever owned. The ride, and comfort is by far the best car on the road. I wish every member of my family could own one. Not only for the ride but the safety and dependability if offers.

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  excellent, the best car on the road - 2005 Lexus LX 470
  By cesar j orozco - February 21 - 3:06 am

  SMOOTH, RELIABLE,ADEQUATE POWER, A BEAUTIFUL VEHICLE.I HATE TO SEE SOME PEOPLE COMPARING THIS VEHICLE WITH THOSE UNRELIABLE AMERICAN CARS LIKE YUKON,OR A IMITATION CAR LIKE KIA, PLEASE BE HONEST AND TELL CONSUMERS THE REAL FACTS, LEXUS IS BY FAR THE BEST CAR ON THE ROAD...PERIOD...

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  Exciting - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By GW8 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  The best SUV I have ever purchased. A great buy.

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  Love the car - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By rhpcpa - February 20 - 4:20 am

  Owned my 2005 LS 430 for three months and find myself loving it more everyday. I actually went to the dealership to buy a new GS 300 but I drove the LS 430 and I was so impressed that I purchased it.