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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  Great SUV - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Dean Norberg - January 6 - 12:36 am

  THe more we drive it, the better we love it! Exellent quality inside and out!

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  Cant beat it! - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By Andrew - January 4 - 5:20 pm

  This is hands down the best car you can buy for the money. My car just turned over 100k miles and people still ask me if its new. The fit, finish, and structural quality are unmatched except by more expensive Lexus. This car has zero road noise. A few more HP would make this car the best on the road.

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  Its a keeper - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By dutch - January 4 - 3:13 pm

  Yes, it does not handle like a porsche, but who cares! Top up or down you will not find a more enjoyable, relaxing cruising experience. Not a single problem in 3+ years of driving attests to the overall quality of the car. Cheaper than quite a few of the alternatives and still a car that gets approving looks and compliments just about any day that I drive it.

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  Super quiet and comfortable - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By HBsteve - January 4 - 12:20 am

  Ive been really happy with my AWD RX300. Amazingly quiet inside, I still cant believe how little road and traffic noise you hear. Seats are comfortable and leather is very soft. Sound system is great. Just got the car issue of a certain consumer magazine. They score every vehicle on reliability, satisfaction and depreciation. The RX300 is the only vehicle with top marks in all three. I know why, this is a great vehicle.

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  The Best SUV in the Market..3rd Purchase - 2005 Lexus LX 470
  By David - January 3 - 1:33 pm

  Simply the best SUV Truck money can buy. I first purchased this truck in 1999 in white, again in 2003 in Galactic Gray, and now again in White Blizzard. Each time I reviewed all competitive models including Cadillac, Land Rover, Hummer, etc. and kept coming with the same conclusion: "This is simply the best designed, most comfortable, roomy, and best handling SUV in the market today!" I even got to Crash test the 2003 with a Snow Plow and while I did not win, the vehicle handled the impact better than any vehicle ever owned. I was safe and once repaired, it drove as well as before. The LX 470 is quiet, permitting total enjoyment over long highway rides, with the entire family in tow.

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  This is my 2nd lexus gs300 - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By chasjr. - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I leased gs300 in 12/99. I loved the car so much i leased a 03 gs300 when returned the 00. This time the car has mark lev audio and nav. hid headlights. This has to be the best car i ever leased.

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  King SUV - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By jatt is the man - January 1 - 10:00 am

  i just bought this car may 26 2003 and its a dream car for anyone. the thing i like the best is the new transmission it makes it faster and gives good mileage even though it can do better the luxury is at the top of its class and so is the exterior styling. i also tryed out the escalade and if you dont want something as expensive get that one. but you have to remember one thing you get what you pay for and the LX470 does just that.

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  SC430 Rocks! - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By Rucker - January 1 - 10:00 am

  Car is absolultely stunning in every way. My friends love the value you get and all the neat gadgets. Fuel economony is okay, but the ride is well worth going to the pump more often!

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  SC 430 - 2007 Lexus SC 430
  By Glenn - December 29 - 12:00 pm

  This car is a refined sports car which may be too tame for some, but just right for others. It does not offer the excitement of a 911, Viper or Z06, but it does have creature comforts and fit and finish which is beyond reproach. Having owned many other roadsters, I can tell this is the one Ill keep for a while to come.

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  Dont Believe The J.D. Power Report - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By tlwpb - December 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the best SUV I had drive, Ive test drive the MDX, ML320, FX45, before buying the GX470. This SUV is very smooth, quiet, and powerful, and the quality is the best compare to other SUVs company. Recently, I have checked the J.D. Power wed site about the GX470 rating, and I believe they have made a big mistake in rating this automobile or the people that do the evaulation did do it right! So, dont believe every thing you read or see.