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:

• 

  Trust is completely broken on Lexus brand. - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By DanK - February 19 - 1:48 pm

  This was my first Lexus with some positive expectations based upon the reputation it has carried for decades. After one year, the whole family has concluded that the car was actually not good. I drive 4-5 cars concurrently and have experience most foreign cars including German luxury ones, Japanese luxury brands and many Korean brands. I would say this is the worst experience I had. Performance is bad. Horse power is not enough, handling is rough. Surprisingly, pretty noisy car. Comfort? I don’t know what today... I just feel more tired when I drive this car compared to all of my cars (Mercedes, BMW, Honda, Acura, Hyundai, Kia, even Proche, etc).

• 

  Beware wind and road noise - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By MrTl - February 19 - 10:16 am

  Dont make the same mistake I did. The LS 460 is noisy. New drivers might not notice it but there should be no wind noise. I am in the process of having the two front side windows replaced. There is a significant problem with wind and road noise with this model. After one window was fixed which did correct the wind noise, of course there is now a noise in the door. Lexus needs to fix the windows. In addition this engine is more noisy than the ones in the past

• 

  From MBZ to Lexus - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Josh - February 18 - 9:26 pm

  I have had the car now for about 3 weeks. Since day one, I have had nothing but pleasure. I traded in a 02 CL500. Sure new it was 90K but this Lexus for the $$ is well worth it! This is a great car.

• 

  Flawed Tranny - 2009 Lexus RX 350
  By cloyd greer - February 18 - 12:40 pm

  Upon cold start up when placed in gear the car vibrates. If I start it in neutral no problem when placed in gear it vibrates. The dealer says this is normal and the vibration is caused by the fast engine idle until the car warms up which is true except in neutral no problem but as soon as in gear a vibration the problem is not the fast idle but is in the tranny itself. I have driven many many many autos and never never had this problem.

• 

  Almost Perfect! - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By therocker - February 16 - 6:13 pm

  Dont be swayed by the low marks some have given to this vehicle. Most are not owners of this car & probably have never been in one, let alone driven one. Few cars on the road that elicit as many stares, thumbs up, cat calls and compliments as this car does. This car is powerful but it is not a true sports car. It has some sports car qualities but it is more of a touring roadster. This car is a super convertible but when the top is up it is a fully functional coupe without any compromising. Ultra luxurious, finest audio system around, 6 cd in-dash changer, best DVD navigation system, ulra-low emissions, smooth ride, quiet and no wind noise with the top down or up.

• 

  Dream come true - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By snowman22 - February 16 - 10:40 am

  Yes this RX350 is everything and more than I expected. What a vehicle. I truly can not think of anything that should be changed or improved upon. We just love everything about it. Dreams do come true-----

• 

  Fun but jerky - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By DJ Winger - February 16 - 7:00 am

  I really love my new RX 330 in almost every way. I love the looks, and the enterior and the on the open road. Running errands around town is easier in the 330 than any car Ive owned. My only problem with the 330 is a jerking sensation from the transmission whenever I let off the excelerator and then step on it again. This is especially noticeable at low speeds like taking corners in my residential neighborhood. It is truly annoying. The dealership tells me it is caused by the electronic excelator instead of the old-fashioned cable. They claim all cars suffer from this problem, but I have never felt it on any other car I have owned or driven any length of time.

• 

  Rattle, Rattle, Rattle - 2009 Lexus RX 350
  By Disappointed Driver - February 16 - 5:13 am

  After years of driving practical SUVs I was looking forward to my first "luxury" vehicle but this has fallen far from my expectations. The next day after buying my RX350, I noticed a glass distortion in the windshield. I also started hearing a rattle at the top of the driver side window. There was also an air leak on the driver door which made it sound like the door was not closed all the way. Ever since the new windshield was put in there has been a ticking sound at the front right side near the dashboard that the dealership has not been able to fix correctly. The rattle above the window still exists even after having been at dealership 4 times for all the repairs. I am VERY disappointed!

• 

  A lexus for a sunny day - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By david - February 15 - 8:46 am

  If you are looking for a 2 door coupe luxury car then this is a great car. Far exceeds the ride of coupes that cost $30,000 more. The interior is 100% Lexus quality from the soft leather to the well appointed controls.

• 

  Lexus GX 470 THE BEST OF THE BEST !!! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By spkohljr - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Lexus has proven itself again. The 2004 has beem improved to include a Kinetic suspension system -- even more comfortable ride than 2003. Also, the NAV system now includes a rear camera for safety and ease of parking! This is a fantastic machine!