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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  So heres the deal... - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Greenespace - October 30 - 11:06 am

  Overall, its a great and reliable car. The pluses include a quiet ride, extreme reliability, plenty of legroom, and an excellent stereo, even if its just the premium, not the Mark Levinson version. The biggest negative I can think of is that the transmissions in these cars are awful in lower gears. You WILL be jerked around, especially if you are rolling at low speeds and then accelerate. However, other than that, an excellent buy and a car that is hard to go wrong with.

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  Excellent - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By Tom - October 28 - 1:40 pm

  Outstanding vehicle. If you can afford it and want an SUV, look no further. My LX 470 has 80,000 miles on it and it rides as nice as it did when I bought it. Reliability, comfort and quality are super, not one rattle or vibration after the 6 years I have owned the vehicle. Probably built too well as there is no reason to get rid of it even after 6 years. I plan on keeping it for a long time and putting many more miles on it. Performs flawlessly in the snow as I can go anywhere. Had to get to navigate on a steep, closed road one snowy day. No problem at all in this vehicle. Just a great vehicle.

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  242k miles and running strong - 2000 Lexus LS 400
  By GSO Lexus - October 27 - 3:10 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned - far superior to Mercedes vehicles I have had in the past. Bought it new and it runs great and still does not burn oil after 242k miles. Spark plugs lasted over 150k miles and first battery lasted 12 +years. The vehicle is rust free after 17 years in the northeast, where they love to salt the roads. Only negative about this car is the traction is not good in snow - otherwise the greatest car I have ever owned.

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  TOO MUCH ROAD NOISE. - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By dgomez - October 27 - 10:00 am

  THE 03 LEXUS I OWN HAS TOO MUCH ROAD NOISE, I DONT KNOW IF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TIRES OR UNDERBODY INSULATION. THE PERFORMANCE MIGHT BE MUCH BETTER WITH THE MANUAL SHIFT AND THE "E" SHIFT I HAVE IS SELDOM USED, I THINK IF THEY HAD MADE IT TO BE USED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER, AS IN THE ACURA, IT WOULD BE A LOT MORE FUN TO DRIVE. OVER ALL I AM PLEASED WITH THE CAR.

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  Best Car Ever - 2000 Lexus GS 300
  By bill - October 24 - 4:36 am

  Im a salesmanager and travel extensively. I trade cars every 2 years until now. My GS is the finest most trouble-free vehicle Ive ever owned. And my Lexus dealer is more than terrific. Comfort, handling, looks, are all top notch. The ONLY complaints would be lack of steering wheel controls for sound system and the requirement of premium fuel for a car with modest (200) horespower. A more accurate quote would be,"Lexus, there really isnt any substitute"

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  Best SUV I Have Ever Owned - 2006 Lexus GX 470
  By Kyhoke - October 24 - 2:43 am

  After owing the vehicle for 7 months I am still amazed at how smooth my GX drives. I choose this vehicle for its reliability, size and comfort as I have two large dogs. While searching for a new vehicle I test drove every SUV out there and I do mean every one including BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Porsche, Acura which I was really in love with at first but choose the GX in the end. I commute 100 miles a day for work and on occasion I have to haul things around so a decent amount of room was great. The interior cabin is very spacious and everything is well laid out for ease of use as well. Driving is a breeze as the engine which is quite strong is also very quiet, especially during an idle.

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  Like it a lot! - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By Klonny - October 23 - 8:06 pm

  Purchased this after totaling a S Class. The RX350 is no S class, but its a fine vehicle, dependable, quiet, buttons laid out nice. the drive is solid, but its not a drivers car, the feel is muted and bland. GPS is great (except you cant change it while driving), stock stereo is not up to par with Benz or Acura. Mileage is truly impressive, if you go the speed limit you get 29 MPG highway! what is disappointing is the "luxury" aspect, the vinyl door inserts instead of leather, a known and persistent rattle from back, no push button start and no aux in. It feels like a luxury car for the masses (which is exactly what it is I guess).

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  Great car, great ride - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By Daniel - October 20 - 11:53 pm

  This car has the best ride in its class. The interior is outstanding and the finishings are impecable. The navigation system is great. The performance is not bad but I didnt buy the car for the speed or superb handling but rather for the ease of driving and comfort. The ride is smooth and beyond what you could get in other pricier cars.

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  Headon crash - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Charles H. Hasper - October 20 - 11:16 am

  11/29/04 we were struck headon by an intixicated driver followed with a rear crah by a truck that was unable to stop. Thanks to 4 airbags that deployed and fastened seatr belts my wife and I only sustained minor injuries. Im convinced that the car saved our lives. The 04 was "totaled" and we just took delivery of an identical 05 relacement. Out 7th LS since 1990. Nothing compares to an LS regardless of price and now of safety also.

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  Excellent car - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By umair - October 20 - 1:33 am

  This is an amazing car. I have not owned a Lexus before but I have friends that drive Lexus. This is one amazing car. Nice comfort, cool looking, very nice gas mileage, fully loaded technology pack. Sound proof and amazing a lot of power considering that it is a compact car.