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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  Lexus LS400, the perfect budget luxury car. - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By Will - August 9 - 1:38 am

  The Lexus ls400 was the car that paved the way for the Japanese luxury car industry. And it was for a good reason. The car took over four years to develop since its start in 1985, and cost over a billion dollars to engineer at the time which is equivalent to well over 2 billion dollars today. It was the first car ever to sport GPS navigation in 1992. It was among the first vehicles to have a telescopic steering wheel with an airbag in 1990. Over the years, the LS400 just keep getting better. It went through 4 generations until 1998, when the final ls400 model was produced. In my humble opinion, the last generation of the ls400 was the best Lexus ever made in terms of overall quality and performance. It’s the perfect balance of quality and reliability. It has good power, and with the same amount of horsepower as its heavier older brother, can hit 60 mph in under six seconds. This might not sound like much, but it feels faster considering how torquey it is. The sport mode button raises the shift rates, and since the last generation has variable valve timing, the power feels very gradual, until it kicks in. It feels a lot livelier than its older brother, the ls430. This isn’t to say that the ls400 isn’t a luxury car to the core. It’s still heavy, torquey, smooth and refined. It has power, but it feels just so effortless, and gradual. The low range feels torquey enough to cruise everywhere at half throttle to save gas. The acceleration isn’t the only thing that feels effortless. The transmission shifts effortlessly and cruises effortlessly on the highway at around 2000 rpms. In fact, it’s geared so that in the fifth gear (that’s added to the 1998 model as well), it is able to hit 156 miles per hour. The steering feel is effortless. It isn’t direct like a newer car, it feels numb in the center, but it is very capable. The Akebono 4 piston calipers in the front of the newer model provide more braking power than the car would ever need, and it does so smoothly with a somewhat soft but responsive brake pedal. The suspension rides very smoothly. I’ve ridden in a 2004 Mercedes s class, and it honestly was on par. The cabin is so quiet that you can’t hear the motor run. The ls400 isn’t the type of car you buy for looks. I’m not saying it’s an ugly car, but it could be mistaken for a 90s Camry from someone who isn’t aware of what an ls400 is. The facelift model looks a little better in the front with its self-leveling HID headlights but when you get around to the rear, it looks like a 1992 accord again. The interior makes up for it though. There are cool features here and there that are just impressive for a car that was designed in the 80s. Even the early models had power headrests, lumbar support, and power mirrors. Most of them came with a beautiful wide electric sunroof that rolls open with the rest of the windows at the push of a button as an air out feature. The sunroof and the rear ashtrays make it the perfect hotbox car if you’re into that sort of thing. Whether you end up with the pioneer or the nakamichi stereo, the stock system is amazing for something that came out of the 90s. There’s a built-in amp and subwoofer along with a 6-cd changer in the dash. The cup holders work beautifully and the rear seats are so plush, it’s practically a sofa back there. If you haven’t driven a Lexus LS400, you should. I believe that the LS400 is truly Toyota at its very best, at least for the North American market. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. As soon as you get in it, it will make you think “Wow, this is a ‘90s car?”. Even more so when you start to drive it around. It’s so effortless and pleasant to drive. How can you not want one when you can find even a last generation that has been driven by an old guy for under 5 grand in amazing shape? With their build quality, it’s not uncommon to see them drive over 300 thousand miles if well maintained. Matt Farrah even drove one a million miles.

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  Perfection - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By Pete Birks Leicester, UK - January 16 - 4:45 pm

  Bought my sc430 two months ago. Returned from a hospital appointment to find some *****had crashed into the wing. Would you believe the insurance company are writing it off as too expensive to repair. What idiots throwing away a Picasso because the frame has a tend in it. The great news is I will soon have a payout from them and can go searching for another. Sadly here in the U.K they are a rare beast only a couple of thousand registered. Maybe I should move to California where sc430 are obviously truly appreciated

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  Shake, Rattle and Throw Up - 2012 Lexus GX 460
  By Leo Mickey - March 30 - 10:39 pm

  I owned a 2008 LS460 and loved it, no complaints. I decided to try for an Lexus GS460 SUV because of commuting and concern of snow/weather. I have owned this car for 6 months now and I cant get use to the terrible bumpy ride. I love the look inside and out, I love the fact that its high and I can see better, it has great pick up, but the ride I cant get use to. Sometimes when you go over certain bumps in the road the hole rear shifts and the car shakes and I feel in my gut. Ive taken the car to the dealer and we took a test drive but they said this is normal for an SUV. Hopefully, I can get use to it and not throw up in the process.

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  CT 200h is close to perfect - 2011 Lexus CT 200H
  By ellah - December 31 - 11:53 am

  I was looking for a sporty car that was also comfortable, and got good gas mileage and fun to drive. CT 200h fits the bill. Not only are the seats very comfortable, but the controls for the navigation system, etc. are perfectly laid out such that your arm is just naturally in the spot to reach all the controls. Genius layout! Getting 41.5 mpg! The car gets a bit pricey when you add all the options including leather but Im very happy with it and plan to keep it 5 yrs or so. The only improvements I could make would be to add more cargo space inside (glove box, center console and doors) as well as rear. Unless the back seats are down, it basically just holds groceries. Even so I would buy it!

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  An Ugly Duckling - 2016 Lexus RX 450h
  By Sandy Stasiek - December 29 - 8:04 pm

  We were going to trade in our 2010 RX-350 for 2016 model. When we first saw it we assumed that it was not finished, or was in an accident, have the Lexus designers consulted with the Mad Hatter? In our mind, Lexus always stood for understated elegance and classic lines, but no more, it is not just loud, it is plain ugly. So, we are going back to a Mercedes or perhaps will consider BMW or Audi. Sadly, good bye Lexus...

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  SC 430 ("02") - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By I.G. - December 29 - 1:23 pm

  Ok, Ive owned this "02" for only about 3 months, but only drives it for weekends only. I also own a "91" LS400 which is still running like new with a 140K plus. The SC is a all that and more from the modern exterior to the flawless interior (except for the cup holder, no biggie). Every time I drive, Im always stopped to ask whether its a 2010 or what? This most definitely was ahead of its time for a "02" Ill tell anyone, once you drive a LEXUS, you wouldnt want to drive anything ELSE!

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  My lexus 407 - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By larry Sands - December 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought the 407 to drive from Florida to Wyoming and to drive the final 50 miles of poorly graded and sometimes impassable road. The last 10 miles was through mudslick downhills into mudholes of unknown depths and up 45 degree grades of eroded mud and rocks. We made it into one of the most remote ranches in Wyoming without any skids, slides or wheel spinning. The SUV was a muddy mess, but we were exhuberant. After driving back from Wyoming the 407 has led a much more sedate life as a semi-town car, but its still fun to drive. Larry Sands. DeLand, Florida.

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  zoey review - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By zoey - December 29 - 2:00 am

  an excellent car-gas mileage at very high speeds is unusual-26 plus.With 18 inch wheels, the car will run with a five series BMW with a v-8.

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  Bad Vision - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By J Fisher - December 29 - 2:00 am

  This car has a terrible blind spot on the drivers side rear.

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  As Comfortable as Promised - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By over 50 - December 29 - 2:00 am

  Comfortable and affordable luxury with a history of low maintainace and high reliablity.