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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  Best SUV - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Noel - January 3 - 1:36 am

  Absolute perfection in a vehicle as far as reliability and build quality. Rides a bit stiff, but with solid rear axle and frame construction its to be expected. Nothing missing in Lexus plan for a vehicle.

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  We love the SC430 - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By Marshall Craig - January 1 - 3:23 pm

  Great driving, beautiful automobile. This car is so much fun, we will keep it for years. Yes, the backseat is too small. Yes the cup holders need improvement. But who cares! This is one great car!

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  Best In Class - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By Big John - January 1 - 5:53 am

  I had a RX 300 for seven years. After test driving the RX 350, I bought it on the spot. I have only had it a month but just completed a 2500 mile trip. This is one of the best cars I ever owned. It averaged 27.5 MPG the first 800 miles then jumped to over 29 MPG at 70 MPH average. I didnt buy it for economy but it outperforms my PT Cruiser. The cabin is so quiet and the water repellent windows are unbelivable in a rainstorm. This is my wifes daily driver and she loves the liftgate feature and the comfortable seats. Im 63" and I have plenty of room. This is by far the best in class overall. Lexus got this one PERFECT.

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  Best used car value - 1995 Lexus LS 400
  By Clyde Bailey - December 31 - 11:26 am

  This has been an amazing car. It has not given me the first problem, I have been a Lexus driver ever since. My daughter is still driving it today!

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  great car - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By mike f - December 31 - 10:00 am

  well worth the money

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  Cooler looking and same $$ as Camry - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By bgk - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Shopped last minute for a 2002 before the 2003 arrive at the end of September. All dealers were willing to give them away at cost (28,888), so I couldnt resist. Great lease (4.2% over 39 mos). The rare charcoal color is cool and it drives like a dream (easy cruise at 80 from Santa Barbera this weekend)

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  Wow!! A dream to dtive!! - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By SBLocal - December 28 - 10:00 am

  I love this car!! Cant go anywheer and not get noticed. A true joy to drive and great on long road trips. Very nice design and very fast! I would recommend this car to anyone who needs luxury but has to had performance and looks. This car is a 12.5 out of 10. I wasnt even able to test drive it before I bought it, doesnt that tell you something?

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  reliability - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By mrvino - December 28 - 10:00 am

  a damned good car

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  Beautiful, Excellent and Boring - 2000 Lexus LS 400
  By cecurr - December 28 - 12:26 am

  I bought preowned in 2005 with 65,000 miles on it. The car is beautiful in every way. I since put 13000 mile on it and I must confess that this is an excellent car. Not even one minor problem to date. Interior comfort and appointments are outstanding in layout and function. Seats are roomy and can be easily adjusted to you favorite comfort position. Leg room is enough for the 6+ footer in front or rear seats. Build quality is also outstanding. The cabin is not as quiet as I had hoped and heard, with noticeable road noise, especially on concrete highway surfaces. The car drives so well though, it is almost boring to drive. Heavy front-end pushes.

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  Great handling car!! - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By mweb - December 24 - 2:00 am

  With 29,000 miles on in 10 months, this is very reliable, drives like a sports car, & gets 22 mpg. Routine maint.is kind of high, but cust. ser. is the best around. Front seats are great, but the back is best left to children. The trunk is decent, but then I didnt buy this car for its cargo capacity. I got it cause its fast, handles great & looks awesome. I wish I had spent the extra few grand and bought a new 2002 with a 5-speed. I recommend this to anyone looking for a sports sedan that handles, is fast, gets good fuel mileage, & wont be in the shop all the time like a BMW.