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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  Superb SUV - 2013 Lexus GX 460
  By dan_wa_state - January 6 - 10:50 pm

  This is a great, comfortable and fun to drive SUV. The interior is beautiful and functional. Great quality. Engine has lots of power to accelerate and pass cars on the highway. Its stable in sport mode on twisty country roads. It feels like youre riding on air, even on poor roads, and it offers rock solid handling. You can easily fit 3 large folks into the car for long trips, and probably 2 more for shorter rides. The extra row of seats in the back are OK for kids (and i assume mother in law types), and I keep them folded and use the space for cargo gear. but thats about it. I havent used it much off-road, but for what I needed it handled very well and got me in and out very nicely.

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  A very good automobile - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By N2DOOWOP - January 6 - 10:20 pm

  One of the better built automobiles. It is very reliable. Only two negatives. One is gas mileage. I get better mileage in my SL500 MB which has more hp, is 700 lbs heavier and has a V8. The second negative is the rear power windows (sometimes one works and the other has stopped working). This car is one of the most comfortable cars to drive.

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  Reviewer Say What? - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By G2 - January 6 - 10:40 am

  My Lexus 400h is the best car Ive ever owned, and Ive own Beamers and Mercs. I get 28.5 mpg on mostly interstate driving during the summer and 25.5 mpg in the winter. Somehow my 21 year own son can get 32 mpg, swear on my mother. Believe me when I say I dont know how, because he has a lead foot. This car is smooth, and quiet. Love the CVT and I dont miss the transmission shift bump. Im buying the 2010 RX 450h when it comes out and Im trading my wifes 2006 IS250 for the HS250 when it comes out in the fall of 2009.

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  Warning Problem with Rotors - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Wally - January 5 - 5:10 pm

  The rotors had to replaced at l4000 miles after the steering wheel began to shake. At 27000 miles I was driving down a 8 mile 7% grade in third gear and needed to brake because the traffic slowed, the steering wheel suddenly shook so badly that I had to pull over and let the rotors cool before proceeding. Rotors were replaced for a second time. If you have paint chip on the bumper do not take the RX330 through a high pressure car wash as the paint may peel off the bumper as it did in my case. Lexus will do nothing about. It is your problem even if the car is within warrentee. I feel the vehicle is unsafe because of the rotor problem. I would not suggest buying one.

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  Transmission problem with 1999 ES300 - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By spcinca - January 3 - 7:40 pm

  My 1999 ES 300 has 67000 miles on it and I am told I need a new transmission and knock sensors. ABS off and check engine light pop on. It sporadically will not downshift at higher speed. At 60mph rpms will be close to 4000. I have done trans fluid exchanges, replaced valves, seals and air intake hoses. Lexus says they will not cover any repair because it falls out of their warranty. Every mechanic that has looked at it claims it is ridiculous for me to need a new trans with this low of miles and the great condition the car is in.

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  AS GOOD AS IT GETS - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By mitchell rowe - January 2 - 8:43 pm

  The gx has a way of adapting to the drivers personality. Well call it a friendly machine. When it snowed last week, I drove 190 miles both ways to north jersey as if it were 85 degrees and sunny. On a warm day it seems as if youre driving a bmw 3 series. The levinson radio is real. The current generation navigation system actually works. The 5 speed tranny doesnt miss a shift. And most important to my wife, its easy to get in and out of the front or back. We rate the gx a 10.

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  First time but not the last - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Tony Siegle - January 2 - 1:26 pm

  Graduating from an Infiniti J30 and an Audi A4, this car tops them all, clearly superior in comfort, dependability and class. In addition to a comfort upgrade, it has features the others omitted. The interface of the control panel takes some adjusting to but allows one into the 21st century. You have to check to see if it is running as the engine purrs flawlessly. It handles superbly allowing you a genuine feel of the road.

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  Couple Minor Annoyances - 2010 Lexus ES 350
  By Andrie Chen - December 31 - 10:00 am

  The car performs great; however, it cant link to my cellular phone which is up-to-date and has blue-tooth capability. Lexus website informs me that my cellular is not compatible with their system. No matter how hard I tried, I cant link the garage door opener to my garage door opener which has the rolling code. I did exactly the same thing for my cadillac and it worked beautifully.

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  Dont buy lexus - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By 777 - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I owned 2004 rx330 for 2 years now pies of crap! I had a BMW that I trade for Lexus and that was the biggest mistake in my life transmission is crap! Stereo system broke doesnt read cds getting error 3 and 4 when then something is knocking inside the dashboard pretty loud, behind the stereo you take your Lexus to the dealer services and tell them whats wrong they dont want to do anything just tells you that thats the way its should be but its really not! Never get Lexus again

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  Love it - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By C a - December 30 - 10:08 pm