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:

• 

  I love this car so much, I just bought a new one to replace my 2011 - 2014 Lexus CT 200H
  By patentcad1 - March 12 - 11:10 pm

  I was shopping for a hybrid 3 years ago to replace a gas guzzling SUV. Loved the styling of the CT, didnt want to get a Prius (I had just bought one for my wife). So I took the plunge. LOVE the CT. So much so that I just replaced the 2011 with a new 2014.

• 

  Best car to date. - 1998 Lexus GS 300
  By dav68 - March 11 - 11:26 pm

  This is the best car we have ever owned. Beautiful, reliable fast and solid. Incredible build quality. You may see one GS on the road for every ten ESes. I like that. We have had for 3 years with no problems. No squeaks or rattles. Drives like a new one with 76000m. Hate to wait until 06 for a new one but it will be worth it. Xenon headlamps are phenomenal. Oil changes and tires and thats it.

• 

  Love this car - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By LexusLover - March 9 - 11:16 pm

  I bought new, have had for 9 now and still in love. I now have 245k on the RX 300. I just bought an RX 350 to replace my first love. The old RX 300 is going to my daughter, and insurance rates cant be beat with this car. Expect 19-24 mpg using mid-grade.

• 

  Love it! - 2016 Lexus CT 200H
  By Laura Raab - March 8 - 4:29 pm

  Only had it for a week, but really like it. Had an RX and didnt need that much space. Family grown, mostly drive alone. Its a wonderful alternative. Love that you can shift it to Sport mode, but you have to watch your speed. It does have cruise control. Next, thinking about NX, a new one right inbetween RX and CT. They just put on options so you have to take what is there. Also no tan upholstry at all, you have to take black. Or in the Sport model red and black. Bottom line, didnt have to put anything down, however I put $1k down to reduce payments and left owing $411/mo. However the sales person said he would pay my first payment. Sales Associate: Amir Have had Lexus since they first came out. We had a 1990 LS 400. You can pass them down or bring it back. If you exchange old Lexus for new one they always are favorable deals. You get $1k off MSRP, but thats just a starting point.

• 

  Worth the upgrade - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By solstice4 - March 8 - 3:16 am

  Upgraded from an 05 RX. The power, performance, suspension and roominess are all upgrades. The 2010 is also quieter. All electronics are significant upgrades--particularly Nav and Voice. Other notable improvements are the center console, larger interior and lack of wheel wells intruding into the cargo area. The suspension is much improved. Overall, very happy with the new Lexus. I compared against MDX, SRX, Q5 and MB. In the end, quality, reliability and Lexus service made this car the clear winner for me.

• 

  Love this Car - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By KellyT - March 7 - 8:16 pm

  I was hesitant to buy any SUV; I typically am much more environmentally conservative. However, after years of not being able to get equipment and kids in vehicles, I relented. The Lexus Hybrid is a pleasure to drive. It takes curves well and handles well in high volume traffic. I feel secure behind the wheel. I have the back-up mirror which I love and I feel secure in it with my kids in car seats. I am also an executive though..and it doesnt feel just like a mommy car.

• 

  Great ride - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By moody1g - March 4 - 12:20 am

  I have only owned this used Lexus for a week but would recommend it to anyone. For a three year old car with 43,000 on the odometer I am impressed. The absolute bank vault solidity of this car is amazing. This is my first Lexus and I would absolutely get another.

• 

  is300 is amazing - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By 4churchill - March 3 - 10:00 am

  THE IS300 IS GREAT, COULD USE MAYBE A TAD BIT MORE POWER, AND AN ARM REST FOR SRONT PASSENGERS, OTHER THEN THAT THE CAR IS AWSOME

• 

  Great Improvement/High Price - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By lexusxthree - March 3 - 10:00 am

  We previouly owned a 2000 & 2001 RX300. The overall handling and ride is a leap forward. Comfort has also improved to where it is comparable to Mercedes Benz. Because we purchased the vehicle within a month of it release, we were not able to get it optioned exactly the way we wanted. Our only regret is that it doesnt have the Mark Levinson system. The standard system does not sound as good as the one in our previous RX300. The Navigation system is great and the Back-up camera is to die for. This should be a required safety feature on all SUVs and Minivans. Overall we are very pleased with the new RX330.

• 

  A tad disappointed - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By tammy - March 3 - 2:53 am

  I leased a new RX 350 a month ago as my ES 330 lease expired. I needed more room and at a minimum fold down seats. The IS was the only model with fold downs and that was too small. Room is great - feels spacious inside- kids have a lot of room in the back. Got an annoying dash vibration noise in a week and I do hope that can be fixed - very annoying. Feel that the road noise is quite high. Handling is excellent - very good acceleration and fit is finish is superb.