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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  Car is okay - 2015 Lexus RX 350
  By CLH - September 26 - 4:26 pm

  I had an Audi Q5 which was tight, peppy, and had the driving experience of a German engineered car. The Lexus is a completely different driving experience. Im not sure yet if I like it or not. I did love the Audi!

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  You must test drive it at highway speeds - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By shmerls - September 18 - 2:00 am

  It drives great in the city, badly on the highway. The front feels heavy and you have to steer it all the time. It doesnt just cruise straight. The steering is progressive power steering which gets more like manual steering the faster you go. Feels like a truck without power steering on the highway. This makes highway driving tedious and tiring - your arm muscles are always slightly flexed like isometrics. The CD and AC and heater controls are confusing and not intuitive. If you lower the steering wheel, you cant see the blinkers or the mirror controls. The estimated gas mileage is not accurate. Im only getting 16 mpg. I am VERY sorry I bought it.

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  My Lemon - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Steve - August 24 - 10:40 pm

  My RX400H only gets 20 MPG City. Going over wider speed bumps with a small amount of loft it sounds as if the engine is dropping out of the car with a loud bang. It has mild steady vibration at times that can be felt in the steering wheel & seat arm rest. Instrumentation is a joke. The cruise control is on its own lever & moves with the steering wheel making it impossible to get to it when turning the steering wheel.

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  Transmission is Dangerous - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By jrat - August 19 - 2:00 am

  Do yourself a favor and read all of the boards on the web that discuss the awful and dangerous transmission. There are severe hesitations and failure to engage when accelerating. There are also reports at www.dot.gov of this problem. Just do a search on the vehicle.

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  Mamas Car - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Chase - July 17 - 9:36 am

  My dad and my mom bought this car after my mom had been looking for MONTHS! When i first saw he car i thought it looked decent. We happened to be at an away game for my school, and I could not wait to get to ride home in the car, But then the second i got in the car I was SO disappointed! I could hardly fit in the back seat! There is absolutely no room! also, another problem that we had was the navigation screen. I mean my family was so confused cause, you run the climate from that screen, the radio, the DVD player, and everything else that would have been a lot easier just to make buttons for. My family has not liked this car at all! I mean 16 mpg highway, I mean come on. Just dont get this car!

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  Get Something Else - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By Al - July 16 - 9:36 pm

  I have owned many different cars and heard nothing but wonderful things about this model. The truth is, the Oldsmobile Aurora and Lincoln Continental both outmatched the Lexus hands down in both creature features and driveability. The Lexus has been a major disappointment and I will never own another one. Buy the Toyota Camry and save some money... or better yet buy an Avalon and get more room. Also, for what its worth the check engine light has been on more than off for the last 50k miles. This car has annoying (expensive) problems with its emissions/fuel vent system design that Ive never had with any other car owned.

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  I rattle and hesitate; I am your car ! - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Bruce Litzkow - July 8 - 2:00 am

  The problems Lexus will not address: (1) Audible rattling sound outside the vehicle during low speed acceleration (2) Transmission hesitation below 40 and revs past red line when floored at 40 (3) Bridgestone factory tires dangerous loss of control on wet pavement at 50+

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  2017 rx 350 - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By dee - June 13 - 1:06 am

  i was so excited about finally getting the rx 350..and im so disappointed with it..3 weeks old,and it had this vibration sound,which gets very loud and annoying.i mean this is a lexus,you pay so much money and this vibration noise is not acceptable,the more i read,seems like everybody has the same issue with no fix..i cant recommend this car to anyone and ill have to trade it in eventually..so disappointed with lexus

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  Rusting SC430 - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Malfarook - June 5 - 10:00 am

  I bought my dream car in 2003,a brand new 2004 SC430. Among other disappointments, I have rust problem. The alloy wheel is rusting out. The body also have many bubbles, under is rust. It is so disappointing. I did not expect it from a Lexus.

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  Like an old car - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By BERNIE - May 25 - 5:43 am

  I have had the tires balanced 5 times & the dealer changed all tires on car. It still vibrates at highway speeds. Lots of wind noise from over drivers door. DoesnÂ’t shift smoothly in stop & go traffic. Armrests are too hard for a luxury car. Cant find garage door button in dark - no illumination. Front end was out of line when purchased but it is ok now. This vehicle has been very disappointing & I have never felt as though I am driving a new car. I think Lexus is very, very overrated.