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:

• 

  Lexus builds another top of the line SUV - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Ed - November 5 - 2:33 pm

  EXCELLENT in most details. The 3rd row seat (as an option) it too tight and a joke at $2,000.00 for the price. Other than that EVERY aspect of the Lexus GX- 470 to OUTSTANDING and top quality.

• 

  Love the blue - 2009 Lexus GS 450h
  By pat - November 4 - 4:26 pm

  I have had the car for about 18 months now and have very little complaints. My favorites are the engine, the fact that it is a hybrid, the H styling with blue trim. I do which the fuel tank was bigger. While getting 26 -27 MPG the tank is small so I still have to hit the pumps once a week. The trunk is small due to the battery. Overall, the most satisfied I have been with any new car I have ever purchased.

• 

  lexus gx470 review - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By mike89 - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Love it! Thats only when I get to drive it. My wife prefers it over our BMW 328i.

• 

  Luxury Review - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By surjsondhi - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Great car if you love comfort, value for money and reliability.

• 

  Try it, Youll like it. - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By H.M. Stauffer - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Just traded to the ES330 from a world famous, overpriced European big black box. Old vehicle was not at all user friendly. Service also wasnt as "sales" sold it. Im glad I changed. The Lexus is just plain fun to drive. So quiet you think the car has stalled when you stop at a light. It "IS" user friendly too. Accessories are where you expect them to be. Not try and find me. No more CDs in the trunk. Service with the Lexus is better than I expected. To date everything has been good. Id do it again without hesitation.

• 

  Lexus RX 330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Patti White - November 4 - 10:00 am

  Overall this SUV is wonderful. It has excellent turning radius compared to the RX 300. The automatic rear door is a beneficial feature because the door opens via remote from the key fob. Lexus also gives excellent service.

• 

  Pleased - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Walter McGuinness - November 3 - 8:30 pm

  This car has everything you would want in a car. When you need power it is there. The ride overall is very comfortable. With the front seat back there is still plenty of room in the back seat. The trunk is larger than it looks from the outside. The car holds the road very well. My only real complaint is the sun roof. I get a lot of road noise with the lid open. Close the lid and the noise just about stops. Would I buy another Lexus, I sure would. I avg. about 26 mpg in town and over 30 on the open road.

• 

  great suv - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By harlan - November 2 - 10:36 am

  Only had the suv for 8 days and love the luxury and the handling. It is a really beautiful vehicle. I was driving an 8 year old Toyota 4-Runner with 142,000 miles. Quite a change from the Toyota. Gas mileage is not too good, but I knew that before I bought the vehicle. I was looking at the MDX but it was not a luxurious as the Lexus

• 

  Fun in the Sun in So CAL - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By Victoria - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Picked up the SC 430 Ive wanted ever since its debut in 3/01 and it is everything I wanted and more. Lexus left no stone unturned. It is sleek, sexy, and solid. The cockpit envelops the driver. Is there a world beyond its doors? Handling is tight and sporty; the 300 hp blew away a Boxster off the line. Dont worry about the noise from the run flats, its barely noticeable and a small price to pay.

• 

  They dont make them the way they used to - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By jambo - November 1 - 10:00 am

  Lexus cut corners with The switches and controls. They appear to be straight out of a toyota corolla. I think the steering wheel is too. Ride is harsh on the run flats. They last for about 5000 miles and then start rumbling really bad. Paid $1600 for new tires in less then one year of casual driving. Dealer says this is normal. The seat belt position is to low for taller drivers. The 1991 LS 400 we bought new was a much better car. Clearly, corners were cut on this one. I will be getting rid of this car ASAP. Anyone want to buy a Nieman Marcus Silver Belle Edition SC430 with new tires?