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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  Toyota Lexus quality slipping - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By yankster53 - March 25 - 9:06 pm

  Not happy here, ES 350 and paint chips all over the hood, this car is primarily driven by 56 yr old stroke victim who drives 3 miles to Krogers few times a week, it is 08 and has 27K miles on it. Tires are shot, rattle inside that has been there for a long time. Leather seats are not holding up, gas mileage is good for the amount of power it has. This will be the last Lexus/Toyota product... I go back to 1976 Celica, 80 Cressida, 90 Celica, 2005 Sequoia 2006 Scion XB and they would be sorely mistaken thinking I would ever purchase again from them. Nuf said...

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  Average looks, above average reliability - 2006 Lexus RX 330
  By lindsey - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had my rx for almost 3 years it has been relatively maintenance free, yet is not that comfortable, very noisy road noise and does not feel that safe as far as handling. Going back to a German car. Not for me

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  first 300 miles - very poor mpg - 2014 Lexus ES 300h
  By g17w17 - February 9 - 11:29 am

  Very Poor mpg. Not even close. Barely 26 mpg, 50% highway 50% city Speed was maintained withing limits ( 65m/h), driving, eco mode ( even I hate it) I feel cheated.

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  Unintended Acceleration Warning - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By r2theman - December 29 - 1:41 pm

  We are or have been very loyal Toyota and Lexus owners for many years. Our 2010 RX 350 was an upgrade from the 2006 IS 350. The Vehicle is a great ride except for the unintended acceleration. It came very close to tragedy 2 weeks ago on an interstate. I have heard about the Toyota problem but didnt want to believe that it would happened to our RX. There is less than 20k on the vehicle. It started acting up a few months ago, it would accelerate over set cruise speed by 10 miles hr but wasnt life threatening, braking stop the acceleration. This happen twice with me & twice with my wife until the brake didnt stop the problem acceleration. She couldnt get it stop by jabbing the brakes hard,

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  Will not buy another RX - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By DROBB - November 14 - 3:46 pm

  We bought our RX used, with very low mileage. After having owned 5 trouble free Toyotas, we were shocked when the transmission of our well maintained RX failed at 80K miles. It was an expensive and very time consuming repair, as the parts were very hard to locate. We still are not happy with how the transmission hunts for a gear at lower speeds. Cargo space is terrible, interior is a bit cramped and not all that comfortable and the center console and cup holders are poorly designed and flimsy.Turning radius is bad and acceleration could be a lot better. No more RXs for us. EVER!

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  Get something else... - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By whatisit - October 22 - 2:00 am

  Actually got mine in May 2001; not 2002. It was before the standard was available; so I am stuck with a slipping aoutomatic. Handles great; not quick enough; has its fair share of problems. Being that I live in NY; I have to drive it in the snow - talk a bout a freaking adventure!!! I mean, the car does not really excel at anything other than handling; but everything else is so average at best - it cannot make up for its downfalls. Do yourself a favor; save your pennies and get a real sportscar. If it has to have 4 doors than save up for a 540. Looking forward to getting out of my lease early on this thing - I am a bit disappointed.

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  Rough riding RX 350 - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By HUGH CRISSMAN - August 17 - 1:36 pm

  My leased R.X. 350 2 W.D. rides like a cement truck! I have been told to carry bags of rocks in the back to improve the ride. I have a lemon and Lexus people say it is not broken and rides as it was designed. Do yourself a favor and never own this Lexus model We hate to drive this car, never again!

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  Last Lexus: a Lemon? - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By Last Lexus - August 11 - 5:10 pm

  Rather than detail all my Lexus woes, which the dealership has tried and sometimes succeeded in fixing, I can just say that this 2008 RX350 is the noisiest car I have had. There is a persistent rattle in the rear passenger window that looks like it is caused by a faulty window assembly. The bumper rattles when turning. The car has been through a bit -- as a car in NYC is wont to be -- but the quality problems have been very disappointing for a car with a stellar reputation.

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  Good While It Lasted - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Casey Bryson - June 27 - 2:40 pm

  I bought our 2004 GX470 in 2012. We owned it for 2 years and 7 months. It was a good vehicle for us and the engine/transmission are rock solid. Personally, looking back, I would buy one with LESS features. The dynamic suspension is expensive to replace, for example. I also had to replace the sensors for the rear air leveling as they both failed on separate occasions which was VERY problematic on a 500 mile road-trip. Also, others that note theres a "transmission CLUNK" should realize that its a slip yoke on the driveshaft that requires greasing. A 30 second fix.

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  It drives like a car. - 2015 Lexus NX 300h
  By debra buelow - June 27 - 4:52 am

  I dont want to feel every little bump in the road. It felt cramped. I had a couple of Prius and the interior felt larger. Sure looks sharp, tho.