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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  Poor experience - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By mjw5935 - April 10 - 9:53 am

  I bought a fully optioned 2004 RX330 and was sadly disappointed. The sports transmission has terrible hesitation that boarders on dangerous in traffic driving and the seat has a clicking noise that I cannot seem to resolve. In addition after the first 6,000 miles (during the first tire rotation) I was informed that the front end was not in alignment. Unfortunately the dealer was unable to help me with the transmission and I have not returned for the other factors yet. Very disappointed for a 50k+ vehicle.

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  I like it more today than when I bought - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By griffmac - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! This car doesnt get the respect it deserves from auto journalists - its like they didnt want to belive Lexus could build such a great sports sedan on its first try. I have several 3-series in my family and this car is more communicative and fun to drive than any of them (even the 330i w/sport package). When you compare this to the 325i (same price), I cant give the nod to BMW in any area other than maybe the dash design.

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  Worth Every Penny. - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Chris_ - April 10 - 2:00 am

  This is definitely a topnotch suv. You can have it all with the RX330 very exquisite styling inside and out. Plenty of power under the hood and the fuel economy is just unmatched by any other suv.

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  Safety Problems - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Shankadelic - April 10 - 2:00 am

  Great car, but the headlights are very, very unsafe, lacking any light dispersion. But for the light issue, and, as a result, my wifes unwillingness to drive at night, its a good car. We had a few problems with the computer when we started, and there was a recall for a manifold problems.

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  All the toys o the S500 and $30,000 less - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Stephen Stern - April 7 - 10:00 am

  The LS 430 Ultra, has more comfortable to ride,is more reliable, absolutely no service problem the LS 430 is, without question the best Luxury car on the market bar none. Quietest smooth riding car on the market. Excellant performance. Ive had 7 Lexus, never had a service problem with any one of them.

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  The finest Luxury Sedan in the world - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Alfred Ng - April 7 - 10:00 am

  this sedan is very quiet and the display is very well display. I have test drove the s class and the 7 class and i can only say that the ls430 is the better than those because the navs on the s class and the 7 class are not easy to use. plus the navs are using cds. the lexus uses dvd which covers the whole U.S. For the s class and the 7 class they use cds which only covers the state the car is in.

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  A head turner - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By Stephen Stern - April 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive had many sports cars and GTs. this is a good compromise from the true Corvette-Boxter type and a luxury GT vehicle. Great excelleration, Avante-Gard looks and totally reliable. Quient enjoyable ride with the top up. Docile yet aggressive when you ask for it. Never a day goes by that many people comment on how good looking this car is. Its a love afair between car and driver.

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  My Opinion - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By William Galarneault - April 7 - 2:06 am

  Not as good as previous Lexus autos I have owned. One major problem causes me to never recommend this car. The transmission. It jerks, slows down differently when one lets up on the accelerator. Even acts like you are braking when you are not doing so. In itself, this could be adapted to by a driver, but it is not consistent. Sometimes it does these things, other times it acts like a normal car. Friends have assigned the knickname "Lurch" to this car.

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  ls430 - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By ls430 - April 6 - 6:23 am

  Fabulous car my fourth 3 year lease but dont use it in the snow. I miss Lexus link.

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  My 3rd RX - 2006 Lexus RX 330
  By Tony F - April 5 - 7:16 pm

  I have owned two RX 300s prior to purchasing the RX 330, each one has been better than the last. In between my 2000 RX 300 and I purchased the Toyota Highlander, which is a good vehicle. But, I missed the extra special treatment I received from my Lexus dealer. When I walked in the door they all remember me and welcome back into the family. Its good to be back.