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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  Dream car - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By Satisfied - December 8 - 9:06 pm

  This car is the best vehicle I have ever experienced. Other than standard maintenance, I have had NOTHING go wrong. Service trips have been an ease with no appts, etc. This car beats my Mercedes on all factors - power, style, comfort, efficiency, SERVICE, fun!!

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  2002 Lexus RX300 Coach Edition - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By Bobssurfn - December 8 - 2:00 am

  A pleasure to drive! Very smooth & quiet ride. I test-drove and researched luxury suvs thoroughly and this one is best in overall value for the price.

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  Vibration Problems Continue - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By skeown - December 8 - 2:00 am

  Although there was always some engine vibration (with car idles at say red light) with the RX it has gotten worse and the dealer says "normal", then the extra words that even the new ones have more vibation than some cars (I also have an old Chrys. minivan, which has none>>>, and says that since the motor mounts are different in the RX, than the other Lexus cars, then it will never be "normal, just exceeding the norm...Not pleasant when you have to shift into neutral at a red light, to keep your teeth from chattering.

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  Black Diamond Edition - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By gafuldem - December 7 - 11:56 pm

  This car is a very nice car. It is very smooth, reliable, I am 6 foot 3 I have found enough room to drive the car. It is comfortable. It looks nice. It is good on gas. No vibration. Black Diamond Edition makes it even better. Stereo is nice. I care about keeping my money in my pocket. I like to keep extra extra money in the bank. :) Repairs arent an issue because it seems that it will not break. Maintaining the car is affordable also if you take it to a great mechanic who treats your car well. Mercedes Bmw and every other expensive car on the road has to pay for expensive repairs and to also maintain it. People who drive those cars normally have their eyes fixed on mine. Get one. Save$

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  Nice, but some really dumb designs - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Disappointed - December 7 - 12:33 pm

  I have had my Lexus for 9 mos. amd 9000 mi. Its a nice car but some things are terribly designed. The nav system is wonderful at a stop, but when you are moving, its useless. Even using the voice activation, it only functions with about 10% of its capability. If you are driving on the hwy and want a particular store or restaurant, you have to get off the road and find a place to park to find it. Useless while driving. The center console storage is poor. The lid doesnt raise far enough to allow easy access. There are 3 12v. power outlets, none easy to get to and none that stay on when the engine is turned off. Even though its a nice car, I wouldnt buy it again because of these faults.

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  Love my Lexus - 2010 Lexus RX 450h
  By Barbara Piccola - December 6 - 10:33 pm

  This is by far the best car I ever owned. Would highly recommend it.

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  Bland for the Bucks, problems too - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Ira - December 5 - 7:06 pm

  I am so disappointed in this overpriced car. I received a replacement trans at 877 miles and continue to have trans trouble. Navigation cannot be programed while the car is in motion. You cannot dial out (cell phone) via bluetooth while the car is in motion. The bluetooth address book will not receive and store the information from some cell phones. When the car is in motion, voice commands are rarely recognized due to background road noise. I had to pay $300 for the XM module in order to receive XM and the display of track & artist info is cut off. I am truly dissapointed in the car.

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  Best of the Best - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By Steve Mercaitis - December 5 - 6:03 pm

  I tried to find a comparable American vehicle. I researched autos for over 6 months to find a vechicle that suited my needs and driving habits. I drive over 36,000 miles per year. Unfortunately, nothing comes close to the style, value, re-sale, dependability, and ride that a Lexus provides in an American model

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  Love My Lexus ES330 - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Suzanne - December 5 - 4:26 pm

  This is our second Lexus. We had a 1994 Lexus ES300 that we put 181000 miles on through all types of driving conditions in Alabama, Maine and Maryland. When the 2004 ES330 came out, we decided it was time to part with our beloved ES300. The first one still looked and drove like new. That car NEVER gave us one minute of trouble in any way. The new one has more power than the ES300, which is nice. We are now in Florida where the front wheel drive wont be needed as much as it was in the treacherous roads during our winters in Maine. We are sold on Lexus, and will most likely buy one again.

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  Happy camper in Palm Desert - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Woody Kaplan - December 5 - 11:50 am

  Have noticed winter gas gives better gas mileage in California. Steering seems very tight with some wheel jerking.