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 car - 2008 Lexus GX 470
  By AnthonyL88 - August 22 - 1:53 am

  I was driving a 2006 Acura MDX. I then decided to take a look at Lexus. Well, so far the GX470 drive like a GEM. The ride is very smooth and I really couldnt be happier.

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  About what I expected - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By socal21st - August 21 - 12:25 pm

  Ive been driving this car for about three months now and I finally feel as if Im qualified to write a review. Im coming from a BMW 525i 2005 model. Overall it compares favorably. Its not as sporty as a BMW. Signature Lexus features such as mushy steering, floaty suspension and certain accents you know they got from a Toyota. I paid $47k out the door for the luxury option model with heated/cooled seats, parking assist, side sensors, smart cruise control, voice command, GPS, etc. About the mileage. Im getting 37 on the city and 42 on the highway for about 39-40 combined. You need to learn how to drive this car for efficiency if you want the full hybrid mileage advantages.

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  Another great Lexus product - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By steve - August 20 - 5:23 pm

  This SUV has delivered on all counts. Excellent build quality, equipped almost the same as an LS430 and getting 27 MPG (manually calculated) combined fuel economy - 40:60 city and hwy. City MPG about 2 MPG better than hwy. Our 2002 RX300 averaged 18.1 MPG lifetime with the same driving habits so the hybrid has improved our fuel economy by 50%. Its an all around excellent vehicle.

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  Good experience! - 2017 Lexus NX 300h
  By Sandra Ceighton - August 19 - 10:38 am

  This car is a nice size for my husband and I . We had snow and were very pleased with how it handled. We have had passengers and they were very comfortable in the back seat. I had no issues carrying some larger purchases with the back seats folded down. I have enjoyed all the safety features. Its a comfortable, quiet ride.

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  My Favorite Vehicle...Until - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By bridgils - August 19 - 10:00 am

  I have loved this vehicle since the first test drive. It exceeded my expectations for years until today. This SUV is notorious for costly transmission failures - today I join this club. It would have been the perfect vehicle if the tran would have held up. The repair cost is anticipated to be the blue book on the vehicle - tough call.

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  My Wifes Super 330, her 2nd Lexus - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By 4 Dr STD SUV - August 19 - 7:13 am

  It came with Goodyear tires. This is my wifes second Lexus (first was a 92 SC 300) arriving with Goodyears and problems too. We still have Goodyears on this 330X. She still is very very high on her 2005 330X though.

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  Great with kids! - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By D.R. - August 19 - 3:03 am

  I love this car! I got it when my baby was a few weeks old and boy does it make things easy. Really great parent car.

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  Nx300h - 2017 Lexus NX 300h
  By Bob Bartlett - August 18 - 2:18 pm

  I am impressed so far. H is much quitter than the gas model. Deciding factor in purchases. To much time spent in demonstrations of options. Quick guide would be better.

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  Lexus Luxury! - 2015 Lexus RX 350
  By Catherine Colleran - August 18 - 3:03 am

  Buy what you love..

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  Poor Design, Horrible resale value - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By Tony - August 18 - 3:00 am

  Purchased the FWD 08 RX350 in NOV 08 with 16,000 miles it was certified pre- owned. I like all the bells and whistles that it came with, such as the telescoping steering wheel and leather seats just to name a few. I drove it from SC to TX and the drive was excellent, nice and quiet. I do not like the front design, it looks too feminine and also the so claimed re sale value is terrible. I tried to trade it in and was sadly informed that I would be 10k upside down if i traded it in with 27,400miles in excellent condition. Although it is a nice vehicle it does not hold its value.