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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  Sold car 3 weeks after purchase - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Dr. Dave - July 31 - 11:26 pm

  Three weeks after purchase, I traded the car and took a financial loss because of significant safety issues. When in reverse at night, it is difficult to see whats behind and below because the window is over 4 high, the window has dark tinting, and rear camera does not show anything in the dark. In reverse, the car runs on the battery and someone behind cannot hear the car coming and the driver cannot see anyone. Its an accident waiting to happen. Next, there is only one low gear which doesnt hold back the car like normal low gears. I dont like being forced to brake on snowy/icy roads. Good gas mileage requires constant monitoring and is almost same as RX330 on freeway, as Lexus admits.

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  Very happy I bought the 2015 RX - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By JPV - May 2 - 11:18 am

  First, the car is ugly, I was hoping it would grow on me but I just hate it. Rear looks a little like an angry Asian man and the front looks like an old man with a bad fu man chu. If that isnt bad enough the side looks like a transformer. My 2015 is refined, quiet and has great classic lines. The 16 is, in my opinion lost between wanting to be a sports car and a station wagon. The rake on the rear window makes the cargo space way too small and difficult to see out of and the floating roof line is nissanesque. I have been a Lexus guy for about 10 years and a Toyota guy since 1995. Lexus/Toyota needs to fire their designers because the cars are just ugly. I was waiting for the new Camry to upgrade my old one and just cant do it, the design is terrible. Is that why there is a perpetual 0% interest rate on it?

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  I dont LOVE it - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By Holly - March 28 - 8:02 pm

  After 11 years with a Lexus GX470 that up until the day I sold it still ran as smooth and quiet as I expected from the Lexus brand, I am very disappointed in the 2016 RX350. At only 500 miles, I took the car in as I was concerned about the following: A rattle under the car when the doors were being shut (they did fix that), a "clunk" on the right side when shifting from Reverse to Drive (mainly), I was told that is in all 2016 models. Really, a "clunking" noise is standard. I also dont find the seats as comfortable as the 2015 model, which I used as a loaner car for two days. My biggest disappointment comes with the engine, it is not smooth and quiet. I also think it accelerates slowly and shifts awkwardly. I also get a vibration on the drivers side through the pedals, floor, seat and steering wheel that is driving me mad. The dealership said the car is standard, nothing they can do. I certainly do not recall these things from a test drive, but how much can you really learn from a 15 minute test drive. I havent share my complaints with Lexus, they "thanked me for my feedback." Unfortunately I am probably stuck with this car for a year or so, so I do not lose too much money on the deal. I would not recommend this model to anyone without a very intense test drive.

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  Disappointing - 2016 Lexus LS 460
  By ruben zagagi - March 18 - 12:46 pm

  Loved my 1998, thought upgrading to get new technology would be an improvement. But so many things have been disappointing. The navigation system is a disaster with the remote mouse. BMW/Mercedes/Audi iDrive like are much easier to use. Forget about voice control. Doesnt work. Keyless entry sometimes works, sometimes doesnt. Impossible to debug because it is intermittent. Have the F Sport, where the front seats are very uncomfortable -- back is too narrow unless youre a very small person. Both BMW and Mercedes have adjustments. Lexus doesnt. Also so many features that the german cars have and Lexus doesnt in this flagship car- massage front seats, contour seats, self parking, surround cameras.

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  Expected way MORE from Lexus! - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By waldograph - February 15 - 1:09 pm

  Me and my wife bought this RX350 almost a year ago, and she drives it 75% of the time. We are in our early 40s,our first luxury vehicle, previously owned: Isuzu, 2 Hondas, Toyota, Mazda, and 2 Subarus. Recently we took a road trip from Chicago – Miami ( 3,000 mile R/T). Vehicle currently has 15,000 miles and after I read all the mixed reviews I decided to help the undecided. Except for 2 free scheduled maintenances (5,000 and 10,000) car was never in service for any issues. Exterior design: you will either love it or hate it, no comments here, it is a matter of opinion. The good: 1. Luxury interior design with quality and soft materials. 2. Very roomy and quiet cabin, with absolutely no “plastic” squeaking. 3. Comfortable ride, not too soft, not too firm. 4. Very quiet up/down window operation. 5. Lots of room in the back seat. 6. Adjustable rear seats. 7. Great basic speakers. 8. Very convenient front heating seats. 9. Under the trunk floor actual spare tire, not like European competition just repair kit. The bad: 1. Grinding (drone) noise while slow take off around 1,500-2,000 rpm. Reported to Dealer during scheduled maintenance and the answer was: vehicle is operating normally. 2. Transmission forcing higher gears / lower rpm’s to save gas, this makes Eco and Normal modes annoying, Sport mode okay, keeping higher rpm’s and lower gears makes the drive a pleasure. 3. While idle, lots of vibrations of steering wheel, gear shifter and center console. 4. Throttle response is very, very slow (measured 0.6s). 5. When I start the car during cold months, it makes constant, a loud knocking “diesel like” sound in the engine, disappearing as vehicle warms up. Complained during 10,000 maintenance, and technician takes me to another brand new RX350. We started it and it sound like mine. He explained that high pressure fuel pump in the engine when it’s cold makes this type of sound and this is normal...? 6. Using the infotainment is very difficult, and screen menus are not intuitive at all. 7. Never know if AC is on or off, no indicator light or “old fashion” basic on/off switch. To check if AC is on or off you must go thru complicated 4 menu screens...unbelievable! AC compressor defaults to on, even when its 10F outside. 8. Trip odometers switches are hidden on the left side behind steering wheel. Even when stopped it is hard to locate and re-set trip odometer. 9. The front passenger door needs heavy force to close. I oiled it and closing is a bit smoother. 10. On the passenger side the chrome window trim has about 6 dents which we discovered the next day after we purchased. It looks like someone who installed the trim in the factory did this damage. 11. Transmission is confusing sometimes and not sure what to do, hesitates when you give gas. When you add gas the throttle slowly responds and you ends up with one of two: rabbit jump, or turtle motion! 12. Automatic rear hatch closing or opening very, very slow.13. No beep signal when vehicle is locked from the key fob, you are never sure from the distance if vehicle is secured. 14. Tiny holes on the seats makes it easy for crumbs to get stuck in 15. Not even an option to order heated rear seats. Think, and make your own decision before heading to store with your 50,000.