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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  bad transmission - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By X-Redhead - December 6 - 10:20 pm

  Poorly shifting transission. It can not find next gear easily. Almost like the transmission is slipping and then takes hold and my head snaps back. Service manager says "you will get used to it". Huh?? For $37,000!! Tires, according to info that came with the car "may not last 20,000 miles". Bridgestone Turanza. Instruments hard to read in the daytime. Next time I will buy the Acura. Cant wait for the 2006 model Acura. This is the third Lexus I have owned and the first time I have been disappointed with my purchase. Also own a 2003 Mercury GM LS and at this point like it better.

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  Many issues for luxury car - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By rx300hater - December 6 - 5:06 pm

  96K miles and trans is shot. power door locks do not work, power window works sporadically, had numerous check engine light issues, replaced sensors many times, dash light went out, steering wheel squeaks, these "luxury" cars will nickel and dime you to death, Never had so many problems with a non-luxury car.

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  Lots of pluses, lots of minuses - 2009 Lexus GX 470
  By CA driver - November 30 - 12:06 pm

  Our old car was a Ford expedition (Eddie bauer 2003) and I wanted to downsize. We shopped through lots of suvs and finally settled on the gx470. There were a couple of requirements: smaller size and tough four wheel drive vehicle, along with great reliability. The gx met these requirements. But, the interior left so much lacking. I wanted the quality of a Japanese built car and this is built in Japan, but this suv was designed for the Japanese. The seats are way too small (no one should buy this vehicle that is anywhere near 6 feet tall) and the drivers compartment is cramped—base of seat is inches shorter than the expedition, ashtrays everywhere but no personal storage.

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  Throaty noise in low gear - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Baker - October 16 - 12:44 am

  Evidently Lexus has a problem with the muffler system in many of the 2017 RX 350s. Makes a growling sound and vibrates in lowest gear when on an incline. Technician sd Lexus is working on a fix! The technician at dealership said the muffler noise problem seems to be more prevalent in the vehicles coming from Canada rather than the ones from Japan. Recommendation: Drive the one you are going to buy and put it on a fairly steep incline while in lowest gear. The noise from the muffler is a low roar with vibration felt in the steering wheel. Smooths out as you pick up speed. Occurs mostly at 1500-1800 rpm. I find it irritating, some may not!

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  Wishing Id Never Purchased It - 2000 Lexus GS 300
  By Dissatisfied - September 15 - 8:10 am

  I purchased this car and, prior to close, had to force them to give me new tires as my "certified" vehicle tires were badly worn. Nicks, chips, in excess of what one would expect for a car with 22k miles. Within a few months, the radio numbers were barely visible. Minor repairs still covered by warranty were required. Now at $83K, I would have spent $5K fixing items but for the fact that I deferred a $1400 service that would be a "nice to have" and the dealer will pay for the labor on a power steering column I have to replace after doing a $2700 service two weeks ago. I should have kept ES300; 208K miles without the problems Im having here at 82K. Terrible snow handling.

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  reliable Japanese car - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By concord lexus - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Pretty good car. Still trying to get use to poor design of radio/climage control. Quality of paint is not nearly as good as European cars.

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  Poor decision - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Steve - August 27 - 7:46 am

  Ive purchased lower end Japanese built sedans in the past. I thought this was an upgrade. I couldnt have been more wrong. The transmission hesitates and it is normal I was told. Possibly because of this it has fair acceleration off the line. It has the most uncomfortable drivers seat Ive ever sat on. Its very hard. I have not experienced near the same discomfort with other cars Ive driven including rental cars from low small to large ones. This purchase has taught me a lesson, that a higher end brand does not come close to guarantee driving enjoyment. It has been the exact opposite.

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  bad bad car - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By plipps - August 16 - 7:20 am

  I purchased my car drove it for less then two years, I replaced the transmission in it 3 times and right now it this very moment I need another transmission I paid out more for transmissions than the car cost me. I loved the car that is why I tried to keep it but it put me in the poor house, shame on Lexus

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  Intermittent Audio Problem - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By rm100 - July 15 - 10:00 am

  LS430 2004 has an intermittent Audio problem where even when you turn on the audio using voice command, there will be no sound. As per Lexus dealership this problem is with all LS430. I find that hard to believe but that is the story they gave me. I purchased it brand new from them last month. Lexus dealerships make a big deal about their service quality, but I have been very disappointed with my experience.

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  Waste of Money - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By CarProfessional - June 29 - 10:30 pm

  The purchase of this vehicle is now my most costly mistake. Based on the quality of Toyota trucks I have owned, I bought the RX330. The RXs interior is luxurious, and has nice features, but it is the poorest performing vehicle Ive ever driven. The transmission can take over one second to shift. Very dangerous when a car is coming toward you. When accelerating on freeway, RX goes through 2 gears to find the right one. Slowest responding transmission on the market Ive driven. Also the windshield fogs so severely inside that you have to constantly run the defroster which runs the A/C. Significantly reduces gas milage and visability for yet another major safety issue.