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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  Never Again - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By Charlie - November 10 - 2:46 am

  Always wanted to own a Lexus. I now own my first and last. Previously owned a Park Avenue which had more comfortable seats, more leg and head room, front and back, smoother transmission, better overall ride, better gas mileage (3 to 4 more miles per gallon on regular gas), better designed dash and driving controls as well as more luxury features. Lexus is over rated and after driving it for a year can only say it has been a great disappointment. Only wish they still made the Park Avenue.

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  My second Lexus is better than my first - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By Tom Brennan - November 9 - 1:40 pm

  This is the second new Lexus I have owned. I thought my 2004 was nice car, however, the new options and upgrades on the 2008 model 350 surpass my expectations. I highly recommend the options of the back-up trunk camera and the headlight system that moves as you turn. I cannot believe the coverage of the road. Performance, comfort, looks and increased HP again more than meets my expectations. I look forward to driving this car for many years to come.

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  Instant Repeat - 2006 Lexus LX 470
  By Sandra Rac e - November 9 - 11:43 am

  After five years of owning a 2001 LX 470 I was told it was time for a new car. The problem was after test driving other SUV model cars there was no comparison. The pick up was the biggest difference. There is not another SUV of this size with the pick up and reliablity of pick up as the LX470. There is not a smoother SUV on the road. I bought the identical car and I would do it again. The only complaints are the same as they were in 2001. The third row seats are too difficult to operate and move in and out. The tail gate should also swivel out as in the smaller 470 model. I have to get into the car to remove groceries. Id also like another 6" split between the the back two seats.

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  Get One! - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By Seepage - November 8 - 2:00 am

  I drove the Ifniti G35 coupe and sedan and the Acura TSX. I really liked the G35 coupe and didnt think anything would compare. I drove the IS right after the G35 Coupe and was actually still impressed with it. Couldnt get any kind of deal on either the Infiniti or the Acura because they are just "too hot" right now. Remembered my Lexus test drive, went back to Lexus to revisit the IS and it was the greatest decision Ive ever made. Good deal, awesome performance, sick handling, long standard feature list and the excellent service of the Lexus dealership. Get one!

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  Best vehicle we ever owned!!!! - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By dak west - November 8 - 2:00 am

  We have almost 40k miles and have never had to bring it in for any warranty work. Regular maintenance only but stopped visiting selling dealer after they tried to oversell un-needed maintenance items. Vehicle runs great, replaced tires at 30k. This vehicle was everthing we expected and more.

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  1 year and counting - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By bill campion - November 7 - 3:58 pm

  I like the car a lot. The performance is fine, I guess if I were in a huge hurry to get tickets and stuff I would love to have 400 HP under the hood but the little 4 does just fine. Put it into Sport and it dose react to the gas pedal a bit faster but then I like the good gas mileage it gets in ECO. The BMW we sold was getting around 12 mpg, or less in town, this car has been up around 20 mpg in town whats not to like about that. It rides much better than the BMW did but then they are 2 very different types of cars. This is one very nice car to go for a drive in even if it is just to go to Walmart for orange juice. Even on the lousy roads here in San Diego the car rides very nice, in my wives old car it was like being in a fight getting bounced around on the rough roads now it is more like a spirited argument. Wish they would get the roads fixed but that is a whole different subject. The car is actually my wifes car, as was the BMW, and she uses it mostly to go to church and pick up the grandkids, 7, 6 and 13 from school everyday and she loves it. One thing she really likes is the powered lift back now she doesnt have to try and reach the gate to close it, push a button and down it goes. She is quite small, 411", and everything is still easy for her to use, I am 61" and it is very comfortable for me to drive also. All of the technology stuff is great I guess, all I do is put on the Jazz station and enjoy the sound system Lexus has put together in the car. I havent even hooked my phone to the Bluetooth only because I really dont want to be bothered if I am not at work. The attachment points for car seats for the kids could be a little easier to get to , but still not a big ordeal as with some other cars. It has been just a little over a year now and the car is doing just great. Have run it up to Los Angles a couple of times and it ran great. Put on the cruse control, turn on the breeze and turn up the radio and 27 MPG shows up on the dash read out, not to bad for 75 to 80 MPH average, coming back this last weekend we hit traffic, actually we drove thru a parking lot that stretched from Long Beach to San Diego, and it still got 30 MPG. Nice car, lousy traffic. There is one thing that I dont like and it is the piece of trim on the on the console. It looks like a nice padded piece that runs the length of the console, it is not padded very much and it hits the side of my knee and it is real uncomfortable. If it was wider it wouldnt be a problem, a small thing but it still drives me nuts.

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  Lexus versus Camry - 2013 Lexus ES 350
  By papilio1070 - November 7 - 11:34 am

  This is a good car but it is no better than the 2013 Camry XLE. Ours is fully loaded with premium Nav and prem. sound system. It is all leather and rides the same as the ES350. Our Camry has more chrome and tinted windows. It has remote start. Our Camry is loaded with every option available and has more features than the first two trims of the ES350. We rented the ES350 along with the Camry, Avalon, Accord and Altima. We drove each car 200 miles. We did this because we got burnt on a 2010 impala. In fact the Nissan Altima had the best ride and comfortable seats of all the cars we rented. They have Zero Gravity seats and they are the best. Just couldnt trust that CVT Transmission.

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  sweet car - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By jc2436 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  drives unbelievably, very responsive and quick, wish i had got the 5 speed though

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  Why I purchased my Lexus ex350 - 2016 Lexus ES 350
  By Stewart D. Charaton - November 6 - 1:20 pm

  This is a great car.not only in luxury but in value. I have shopped Acura Tl, too small for a large size man, same with Camary and Accord. My main concern was with the new safety technology , I was a driving school supervisor years ago. It has all since I went with the most options, Radio is outstanding Mark Levinson is worth the price. I have owned Infinity Q45, G37x, Acura TL, Acura SL, and Toyota Prius, nothing compares with the car or its value Thank you Lexus, and my 1986 Cressida was just a sample of your quality. Just a note I have not been advised or paid for this endorsement Again, what a auto Stewart Charaton

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  Love my IS - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By livetracker - November 6 - 4:33 am

  N/A