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:

• 

  Never a better car - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By SimonD. - August 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used and never had any problem with it except for the maintainence.

• 

  Overall - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By NeverSatisfied - August 26 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. Quiet interior. Beautiful exterior. Nice exhaust note. Excellent stereo. Solid riding. Rear drive!

• 

  Just buy one !!!! - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By Stevo - August 26 - 10:00 am

  I bought the IS300 after driving the BMW325i, Mecedes 240, and Audi A4. The Lexus had the best styling and most standard features, and on Road testing the best raod manners and supple yet firm suspension. The only thing I would like to see improved about this car is more power though the standing start take off was enough to shock my BMW driving friends ! I have never enjoyed drivin as much as in my IS.

• 

  Lexus LS430 - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Lexus Driver - August 25 - 5:13 pm

  Third Lexus, 2nd LS430, LS400 parents still driving. Regretted trading in 1st LS430. Have owned 3 Benz, 2 BMW, 1 BMW M Package, 300ZX, RX-7, Porsche 356C, Triumph etc. Current LS430 Ultra Luxury, Acceleration, handling, Wife likes it!, Unbelievable luxury, cooled seats, rear reclining/vibrator seats, rear cooler, radar dynamic cruise collision detection. Can raise height of car to avoid front bumper scrapes. Rides like silent luxurious limousine, then switch to sport mode adaptive air suspension, power mode and takes off, accelerates and corners like a much smaller sports car, grips better than expected, very difficult to reach limit when dynamic stability control engages. 27 MPG HWY.

• 

  Loving my Lexus - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Donna Reiter - August 23 - 8:33 pm

  I shopped on line to get reviews, ratings, pricing and features. I do lots of long distance driving and arrive rested and ready to work. I decided on the Lexus after research in safety features first and then the rest of the features confirmed this was the best choice for my lifestyle. Its a pleasure to drive with good visibility and rides more like a luxury sedan than an SUV. One of my requirements was an SUV on a sedan wheelbase for comfort and handling. I got everything I was looking for and more when I purchased my Lexus.

• 

  Quiet as a Lexus - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By GLB - August 22 - 7:53 pm

  This is my first experience with a foreign automobile and I am thrilled that I finally made the change. This car is a great value for the money. The only "quirk" that bothers me is the strange shift pattern when slowing down to take a corner - seems like the transmission lags behind and doesnt shift soon enough.

• 

  Used to drive a Mercedes & a Lincoln - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By 2020 studios - August 21 - 10:00 am

  THERE IS NOTHING MORE TO SAY THAN INSIDE THIS MAGNIFICNET CAR IS EVERYTHING WHERE I BOUGHT THE RADAR CRUISE CONTROL & NAVIGATOR ETC. THE PERFORMANCE MAKES MERCEDES LESS IMPRESSIVE & THE INTERIOR IS BUILT FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO BE SPOILED. THIS IS MY FIRST LEXUS.. NEVER GOING BACK TO OTHER LUXURY CARS FROM HERE. STATE OF THE ART AND PLUS PERFORMANCE ALL AROUND

• 

  CT Finally Arrives - 2011 Lexus CT 200H
  By dgstan - August 19 - 6:26 pm

  Believe it or not, Ive been waiting for this car for about 18 months. Originally, it was considered a "future concept vehicle", so I never really expected it to become a reality. As I racked up miles on my 2005 Prius, I patiently followed this Lexus dream to its fruition. I find the CT sporty, plush, and quite attractive. At some levels, it does feel somewhat cobbled together (no rear seat cupholders? Really?), but even a cobbled-together Lexus is still a Lexus. The seats are a dream. The interior cabin is well thought-out and you dont sit there wishing they did things differently (other than the missing cupholders). The more I play with the car, the more it surprises me.

• 

  My first Lexus - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By luckyturk21 - August 18 - 8:23 am

  Fell in love with the car when it was introduced at the Chicago autoshow and its living up to my expectations. Quality of materials used is excellent and the ride is superior to anything I test drove. This is the complete package - power, luxury and realability. Im 64" and fit very comfortable as do my rear passengers.

• 

  lexus is numero uno - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By roel gonzalez - August 17 - 10:00 am

  The GX 470 is a pleasure to drive. The only draw back is the CD player which is in the glove box. It is just a cream to drive.