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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  Best super sedan for the money - 2008 Lexus IS F
  By micaISF - April 23 - 11:40 pm

  Pros: stupid fast. Excellent handling, very predictive and sure footed. Excellent build quality. Comfortable cabin for a sports car. Lexus quiet on smooth pavement. Extremely fast gear changes with manual mode. Powerful brakes. Very well equipped with little nonsense options. Excellent fuel economy for v8. Cons: steering a bit too firm at low speed. Car is a bit heavy and not as tossable as a small sports car. Mark Levinson is mediocre in quality. Ergonomics is not as intuitive as Acura/ Honda. Automatic transmission is a bit sluggish unless switched to manual mode. Loud cabin on rough surface or when under wide open throttle.

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  Great Fun - 2006 Lexus SC 430
  By Sergey Podrez - April 21 - 5:43 pm

  This automobile is by far the best I had in my 24 yr driving experience. Very well balanced ride, of course quality wise I cant compare it to any of the above mentioned cars. Attention to every detail in a interior is uncompromising. Very powerful, torque engine and most importantly NO WIND @ 90 mph on freeways! Just love it!

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  Impressive - 2007 Lexus GS 450h
  By Mario - April 21 - 11:33 am

  Great handling, smooth quick acceleration. Nice finishes. Small trunk. Decent back seat leg room.

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  I love my RX 300! - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By skelco11 - April 21 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Lexus but first RX. Drives just like a car. Its easy to handle, and it has everything Ive come to love in the Lexus brand: smooth ride, luxurious interior, easy-to-read display.

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  Happy First Time Lexus Buyer - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By rusty - April 21 - 12:00 am

  After driving a company purchased Taurus and its predecessors for 35 years, I finally had the opportunity to buy my own car. The honeymoon is still going but it looks like a long happy marriage.

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  I love my gx 470 - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By ebabb - April 19 - 5:10 pm

  Absolutely love it. It handles great and is the perfect size. The interior is beautiful and I have used the navigation so much more than I thought I would. awesome vehicle.

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  Everything I hoped it would be - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By Drex - April 19 - 4:47 pm

  We waited for this car for over a year when we needed to get an SUV. It is hands down much better than the 2015 model with its looks, ride, and interior quality. I was coming from a 2003 BMW 325i with the sports package so I wanted to get something that wasnt pillowy and had composure when making quick turns. The RX is very nimble and is particularly responsive with the Sports+ mode, as many have alluded to in reviews that the F-sport trim provides the taught steering and suspension that gives it more of a car-like feel. Gas mileage would have been better with the 450h but once you get up to cruising speed on the freeway you can lift and coast somewhat to achieve some pretty decent mpgs. We are still pretty ginger on the accelerator so I cant say how much power it has, but it is definitely there if I need it. That being said, the eco-mode definitely has a conservative tune and if you want to punch it to beat cars when coming on from an onramp, the Sports/Sports+ mode will get it done. The f-sport seat bolsters are kind of raised too much to my liking and I worry that the leather will get worn out from excessively getting in and out, but once in the seat, I fit perfectly and it is very comfortable.

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  Excellent Value for the Money - 2017 Lexus ES 350
  By Alex - April 19 - 8:33 am

  I work for a Auto Dealership so I know a lot about cars, I have a Infinity 2014 Q50 which is a great car but was limited on space in the rear seat and trunk, but very fast. I also own a 2001 Lexus RX 300 with 176000 miles on it still going strong, which to this day rides smoother than my Infinity, so I decided to get the 2017 ES 350, I previous had a 97 ES 300, WOW what a difference in ride compared to my Q50, nice and quiet and smooth running, very comfortable and I like all the high tech stuff, minds is fully loaded and so since I work for the auto industry I got a very good lease on this one. I drive BMWs and Mercedes, Acura, and Audi all the time and nothing compares to the value and comfort of my ES, Its one of the best cars Ive ever had and Ive had just about every car made, American and foreign, and hands down this is the one, so if you looking for comfort and value and a lot for your money, check out the new ES, oh by the way I got the Atomic Silver with the two tone interior, Tinted windows, beautiful, beautiful car!!!!

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  A WOW-SOME CAR ! - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Rohini - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a car that offered primarily enough luxury for a quality drive, elegance (lexus) and a great ride quality after driving a corolla for years. I tested the European luxury cars and other Japanese luxury cars but my heart, mind and money all agreed only on the ES 330. I cant ask for more since I have all what I ever wanted in a sedan. Thank You Lexus.

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  Great Ride ! - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Chief 1 - April 12 - 4:33 am

  Excellent workmanship. Best engine/transmission function I have experienced. It is so smooth and quiet I had to learn to watch the tac. to see if it is running. The sixth gear allows it to run at 80mph at just 2100 rpm. When asked, the 4000 lbs. will do 0 to sixty in under 6 sec. Almost all comforts have been provided such as air 10 air bags, 10 way heated/cooled seats, dim/tilt down mirrors. We bought it as a road car and while it isnt a "sport feel" drive, it provides a strong performance and safe feel with adaquate road comfort. If it continues to satisfy I will buy this brand car again.