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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  Sweet 2016 Lexus RX 350 - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By jim goodson - May 12 - 7:11 pm

  Get as many "bells and whistles" as you can afford. They are worth it!

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  Good got Great - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Tom Monaghan - May 12 - 5:23 pm

  I had a 2000 RX 300 and thought that it was a great car. The only complaint was the poor turning radius. The RX 330 took care of that. The RX 330 is perfect for someone that likes to sit up a bit higher than in a sedan but does not want to sacrafice the ride. The sound system is as good as anyone short of an audiophile would ever want. The passangers in the back seat will find ample leg room and appreciate the ability to slightly recline the seats, especially on long trips. The Nav system is easy to use and very addicting. Only issue is limited view out of the rear window. Ive been a fan/customer of Toyota and Lexus for many years. Never dissapointed with the quality of the car or service

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  My First Car - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Dr. Sud - May 10 - 10:10 am

  Very Impressed with the new Lexus GS 300 AWD from the handling to interior design and the lastest technology incorporated into the vehicle. Would recommend the car to anyone looking for an entry level luxury sedan.

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  Review of the Lexus ES 350 - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By Marc - May 10 - 8:40 am

  This is my third Lexus lease and I am 39 yo. Each time I looked at other options, including the BMW, Mercedes, etc., and chose Lexus. For me, it was the best value for the money, providing the luxury and comfort that I wanted. Quite frankly, I am more interested in a luxury ride than a sporty one. I have never had a problem with any of the cars. My only wish for the Lexus was a little more of a sportier feel which the ES 350 achieves and then some.

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  luxury and comfort - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By exb - May 10 - 3:26 am

  I got this car May 13th, to replace my 2 door coupe Acura 3.2cls,which was very sporty and had a lot of power. I was now looking for a 4 door, that was quiet and comfortable.. Well I found it. I love the plush interior and all its bells and whistles. It has the get up and go to get on the freeways.

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  Rolling Valium - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By RI Car Guy - May 8 - 5:50 pm

  The Lexus ES350 pampers the driver and passengers in quiet isolation. The ride quality is best in class and fuel economy is excellent for a car this size. I averaged 27.5 mpg over 37K miles and typically get 31 mpg on highway (+75mph). I do a lot of highway driving and the New England winters are tough on any car, but the paint on the Lexus has more chips than my 6 year old Honda. Recommend getting dealer applied plastic film on hood to protect the new eco-friendly paint.

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  Great luxury hybrid - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By Happy car owner - May 8 - 4:56 pm

  For those looking for a luxury hybrid, this is a great car. It has all the features you could want and then some. The interior is beautiful and very comfortable and spacious. It does not have the impressive fuel efficiency of a Prius, but Im willing to "settle" for the 35mpg for quite a bit more power with this hybrid. It is easy to drive on the freeway, quiet and smooth. Overall a great car.

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  Just got it - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By admanc - May 7 - 10:46 pm

  I test drove the 2004 IS300 against a beautiful 2004 BMW 328ci (that I really wanted to love and buy). After driving both cars, I realized the IS300 was the much better car across the boards. Mechanically, the Lexus ran smooth and sound, with a lot more get-up and go. The BMW was sluggish and seemed to hesitate a lot more, with some choppy shifting between gears. I had been told by many people that the BMW would have more problems than the Lexus and in test-driving both, I had to concede that they were right. I bought the Lexus.

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  Nav System + Cup Holder + Heated Seats - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By barry - May 5 - 5:46 pm

  NAV System volume is too low even on loudest setting. Dealer agrees but doesnt know how to fix it. The left side cup holder is useless. It is positioned too close to the drivers door so you cannot grab a cup unless you grab from the top. The heated seats do not get very warm. The 2007 electric heated seats were far superior to the hot air heated seats of the 2010. Overall, not very satisfied yet.

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  Great Value!!! - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By Happy Lexus - May 5 - 10:00 am

  At the convergence of great quality at a fair price, you have value. It is has plenty of power. Great traction even in the rain & snow. Very comfortable.