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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  This is the one! - 2008 Lexus GX 470
  By Mr. Waffles - May 29 - 9:14 am

  What can I say about this 4runners brother and FJ cruisers cousin in a suit and tie. Ive owned about 3 cars in the past year hoping to find the one that Id own for a while after my last car was totaled. I finally came across this one and I think this one is a winner. I like a good highway cruiser and typically only looked for long wheelbase (used) luxury sedans. However, after being bitten by the adventurous offroading bug thanks to my friends, I caved and had to have something with offroading capability. This one popped up at a dealership as I was trading in my M5 and immediately jumped at the opportunity. The water pump was leaking (dealership replaced for me) but considering it still had the original pump and t-belt at 152k I knew this one would warn me well in advance before I need worry about being stranded on the side of the road or giving me unnecessary stress as to whether it would start in the morning. MPG is... well.... its a V8 truck. You dont buy these and expect anything better than 16-18 mpg (What I get). Ride is comfortable as can be as expected. Off roading capabilities are extraordinary and can definitely hang with others on the trail. Havent had a problem yet with the running boards. Might have to push it harder to scratch them. I tend to take the less daring way off road. Have 5 seats more than usually needed, but the cargo space I cant do without. You can feel the beasts weight in the corners but again, its an truck. Probably should stop driving it like one of my old cars. One thing I do like is the torque from a stop. Again it isnt sports car fast, but oh man does it get up and go. With 152k, Im waiting for the air suspension to bite the dust, but knowing Lexus/Toyota reliability, that will be a while I hope. Overall, I think Ive found the truck I will keep for a while.

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  1996 Lexus LS 400 - 1996 Lexus LS 400
  By legendof lexus - May 29 - 4:26 am

  In late 90s til present I have had ES 300, 3 LS400, GS 300 and Avalon. In between those I had Caddys, Volvos, Audi and Acuras. Bottom line Lexus is it! I had to fix something on every car I owned except when I had a Lexus, just start and go! I dont like being in a car for more than 7-9 months, but this time Im sticking to the 96 LS 400 till I can get the LS 430!

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  Not a sports car, a cruiser. - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By silver fox - May 28 - 10:00 am

  The quality, reliabilty and workmanship on this car is outstanding, the interior is beutiful. The engine is quiet and powerful but it just doesnt like to rev up. It shifts into a higher gear to soon when you are accelerating. The only way to get full acceleration is to shift manually. The run flat tires are so firm that youll know the location of every manhole cover in town. We joke that you can feel it when you cross the white line. It just doesnt drive like a sports car. More for highway driving.

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  Awsome car - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By JohnDaniels - May 28 - 10:00 am

  has the luxary, power, and handling. Not to mention your getting more for the price. even though the new Acura TL has more power, hence it is still a honda, not as comfy as the Lexus

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  2004 ES330 - Best Yet - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By nomram - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This will make it my third Lexus lease. The difference between my 2000 ES 300 and the new one, is like night and day. Aside from all of the safety features, the car handles and rides like a dream. Lexus knows how to build dependable and quality cars and this one is no exception. I have always felt that the ES line was the best value on the market.

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  Very good car - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By safedriver - May 28 - 3:56 am

  This is a great car, while not as much fun to drive as my old X5 it is actually faster and literally does the same miles on 1 tank of regular that the beemer did on 2 tanks of premium! Everything works like it should and now with 3000 mile on it I havent had a single problem. I bought it because I need an SUV at 64" and in MA and wanted one that was green (mileage was secondary concern), this cars emissions are 15-20% of what the beemers were! It is low end luxury and I dont like the exterior styling, a litle too flash and not enough quiet class like the BMW/Audi/Merc group but I can live with that for the low emissions, the great mileage, the relaibility, & the much cheaper cost. HR

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  there is only 1 luxury SUV - 2014 Lexus LX 570
  By LGL - May 28 - 1:04 am

  you have a lot of luxury SUV vehicles on the road but only a couple that people will notice and that is a Lexus you can drive a 1,000 miles and get out of the car feeling great and not tired great ride - quiet - smooth ride at 80 mph with plenty left under the hood

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  Love My Lexus!!! - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By mkb - May 27 - 6:43 am

  Reliability, safety, comfort and resale value all played an important part in my decision. The vehicle lives up to its reputation for quality and the 330 design is awesome ...

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  My First Lexus and First Convertible - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By LexLaw - May 26 - 12:56 pm

  First off I could not have made a better choice. Mine is Indigo Blue w/ Saddle. Ive driven various high end cars in my brief life (28) and have never experienced the kind of attention I get when driving my new SC (top up or down). My first Lexus and enjoy the headache free ownership that comes with it. I was previously in a Range Rover, nothing but electrical gremlins among other things. I wanted a MB CLK initially but wisely opted not to go with a softop or its German Gremlins. I knew coming in that Id have minimal space and could care less. I dont have any kids so its just me and my Girlfriend and she loves it. The Interior along with its curb appeal are its best features.

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  Great luxury, Expensive parts! - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Roger - May 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used at auction when it had 65K miles. I now have 140K on it and it runs great. It is wonderfully luxurious, has a powerful engine, and very few things go wrong. But when they do, very few if any companies other than Lexus make parts (too few LS430s to make it worthwhile to them), and Lexus takes merciless advantage of their monopoly. Only Lexus sold the two catalytic converters I needed (budget about $1500 installed each), a pipe for the exhaust is $1200 uninstalled (mechanic told me its $200 for other cars), even an extra key will set you back $200-$300!