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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  carefree top-down - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By flatfoot - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle after test driving the Jaguar XKR. Not as fast as the Jag, but blew it away in the comfort, value,and ergonomics dept.The peace of mind of the hardtop and the serenity when the top is helped my decision.

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  sc430 review - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By jportala - March 21 - 10:00 am

  What a driving experience! Smooth, high performance and comfort all in one. Great looking interior and exterior design.

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  I love Lexus - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By yankee2223 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This is a great SUV that drives like a car. It rides really smooth.

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  Great car/SUV - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By Ehud - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Moved to the RX from an Impreza GT (old shape WRX), and although totally different, I find the Lexus pleasing.

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  Sporty luxury - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By Lynn Mitchell - March 20 - 2:41 am

  This car is a dream to drive. Responsive, sporty, fun, luxurious.

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  Sweet ride - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By mzm - March 19 - 6:13 am

  So far I am completely 100% satisfied. The ride is smooth and the power is strong. I was looking for comfort, styling, and reliability. The Lexus has all of them and then some.

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  Simply love it - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By BlueKarma - March 18 - 9:50 pm

  I love my 97 Lexus. Its an older car but you wouldnt know it. It drives great and Im very happy with it.

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  Very fun car - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By brianfuchs - March 17 - 3:56 pm

  Have had my SC430 for three days now. The wife and I love the power, and the comfort. We DID manage to stuff our three year olds in the back seats for a few trips around the block. They loved it, but Im cure child- cruelty laws were being broken... Remember, the rear seats are for insurance-lowering purposes only.

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  SC430...King of the Road - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By nivri - March 17 - 3:16 pm

  Ihave many cars including Ferrari, Rolls, Bentley...Astin Martin..did love my Rolls a lot, but the Lexus SC 430SC is all my dreams wrapped up in one car..its a convertible..its a hardtop..its most comfortable..beautiful interior...not a sleek body style,,but all in all a winner..for the money..a real buy....

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  LX 570 THE Luxury SUV - 2009 Lexus LX 570
  By Furman Walter - March 16 - 5:10 pm

  I traded a 2007 GX in 2009. The LX is the finest automobile I have ever driven!!Have had Navagator and Escilade! The LX 570 beats them hands down!!! After one year of driving I have had NO problems!!! I would purchase a Lexus again!! Furman Walter