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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  RX30 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By llsmikey - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Overall good SUV with luxury touches. Needs better lightings. The HID is just not enough for off road purposes

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  LX470 - 2002 Lexus LX 470
  By ccano - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Bar none, the best SUV on the market right now.

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  GS rocket - 2002 Lexus GS 300
  By MY GS300 - August 13 - 1:33 am

  This, car is really a piece of art. Everything fits so well together, the only thing i wish i would have gotten is the 430 engine, it needs more powerrrr.

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  Quality Automobile - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Staten Island Owner - August 12 - 9:26 am

  A truly high quality automobile. Every thing you touch exudes quality. Ride is extremely smooth and quiet. Power and handling is more then adequate. The miles just disappear and you arrive as fresh as when you departed. Dealership is top notch and will exhaust every means to please you. This is my second ES and I will purchase no other make at no other dealership as long as they continue the quality vehicles and first class service they provide.

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  Best sedan Ive ever owned - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Bruce Saxe - August 12 - 9:23 am

  This is the finest automobile Ive ever owned. The quality of build, ride, creature comforts, style and amenities are second to none. Even better is the reliability of Lexus built into this vehicle. Yes this is expensive, but compared to the competition, this car is a bargain.

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  Hybrid lives up to expectation - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Patricia - August 11 - 9:00 pm

  So Ive only has it for 10 days...but it has lived up to every expectation I had for it...including the mileage. I am averaging 28+ all around, and most of it has been highway. I have been more cognizant of my driving; no quick starts, etc. I think thats the key...Easy does it, and youll save. Im looking forward to many years with this vehicle. So far, I love it!!!!

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  Our worst new car - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By thedriscolls - August 11 - 5:43 pm

  This car has been a problem since we first bought it. Every temperature change causes the low tire presure light to come on and can only be reset by Lexus. The transmission was replaced by a recall notice as well as the fuel pump! Last month the switches in the drivers doors stopped working, it took Lexus 4 business days to replace it. By the way Lexus still does not have a software fix for the low tire presure light, so come fall we have to return to Lexus to reset it. Our next car is going to be a Toyota Avalon.

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  Outstanding vehicle - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Mike - August 11 - 5:30 pm

  I love it. I can never go back to any of the vehicles I had before. Its a dream to drive.

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  Great Car with Disappointing MPG - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By max55fisher - August 10 - 2:12 am

  My wife and I find the car a joy to ride in and drive. The seats are especially supportive and comfortable and long road trips are a pleasure. The ride is smooth, the acceleration is powerful and makes merging with traffic, under any condition, a breeze. The cabin is very quite and theres plenty of room both front and rear. We are a bit disappointed with the mileage weve been getting, though. The car computer calculation differs by about 7-10% from what I calculate. Weve been averaging 37-38 mpg for mixed city/highway driving. We were expecting better! Overall we thing its a great car and wed buy it again.

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  AMAZING - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Dave2009892 - August 10 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the smoothest rides in town with amazing reliability. GET THIS CAR!!