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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  Good but needs improvements - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By Dude007 - December 27 - 10:00 am

  Love its sleeky look, handling and interior of course. Engine needs to be replaced with something better. Wasnt the toyota all about reliability, quality and economy? Well Im a Honda lover but this car cought my attention right from the begining, basically I love eveything about it except gas mileage. This car has a worst gas mileage in its class and if you compare it to the performance it really shouldnt burn so much. Even Maxima with 3.5 Liter engine uses less gas and gets far better performance and really Maxima seems to be a better bang for your buck.

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  Lexus SC430, My Opinion - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By Eddie Varnadore - December 27 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my SC430 in March, 2001. One of the first delivered in Marietta, Ga. I enjoy the car. Styling is great, Its a head turner. Overall I rate it an excellent automobile. Problems Ive had are as follows: Clunking sound (metal to metal) in rear of car over rough bumps.) Road noise from no-flat tires, wind noise from rear seat belts when top down. Also, car bottoms out over bumps.

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  Not sure but hopeful - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Genia - December 26 - 10:06 pm

  Bought the car around 60K miles; very nice looking interior and exterior. Very comfortable ride and heated seats still get hot at 179,000 miles. However, transmission had to be replaced last year since it would not go in rear drive. Lexus assisted a bit, perhaps because this is our third Lex. Still had a $3000 bill. Recent repairs $800 and now ABS axle broke so looking at another $1000 repair. Must say our 97 Lex Es300 has 300,000 miles and rides very nice still with only minor repairs. Our 05 Lex Es 330 is roomier but still ride was better in 97. Paint superior on all three cars. In the market for a newer car, just not sure if I should get another RX. A bit formal style vs. casual.

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  I LOVE WHAT LEXUS DO TO US.! - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By jo-ne - December 24 - 10:00 am

  THE ONLY THING THAT I REGRET TO THIS VEHICLE ARE PAYMENTS AND GAS MILEAGE. BUT COMFORT, STYLE LUXURY ARE THE BEST SPECIALLY THE SUSPENSION.IT LEVELED TO ANY ANGLE YOU PARK THE LX470. AMAZING! HONDA SPECIALIST 2001.

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  Lexus RX - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By Kenny Ken - December 22 - 10:00 am

  Just a little disappointed. I think if I had to do it over I would buy the Hummer.

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  Dealership experience poor - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Boston - December 18 - 10:00 am

  Service intake people are poorly trained. They blamed us for not contacting the sale person before we came in to have the snow tires installed. We made the appointment 2 weeks before, dropped- offed the car for 3 hours, then finally got a phone call to be told that the dealership didnt have the tires. The car also has a few loose pieces of plastics, one of them found under the seat. This reflects poor dealer preparation of the car before delivery. The dealership, just as like any others, pushed hard to sell add- ons. Paint already show minor chips on rear bumper.

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  It was love at first sight - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By helen - December 16 - 11:56 am

  I was so in love with this car when I first saw it and took a look at all the features, but the only downside was the mpg. Not a big deal at the moment, I thought. So WRONG. The mpg is the only reason I dont want to own this car anymore. I feel safe driving in this car and everythings nice (although the inside could be bigger), my brakes squeak a lot too. Everytime I ask someone who works at the dealership whats up with it, they keep saying its brake dust, and I dont buy it.

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  Nice ride - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Joe cernigliaro - December 16 - 8:46 am

  Great touring sedan. The 300 is slightly underpowered compaerd to the 2002 BMW 525i that I traded in, but is a lot more comfortable, with intuitive controls and actually has real cupholders.

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  Talk to Me in A Year! - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Ed W. - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Wanted to get the Lexus RX 300 for my wife; but after test driving the RX and the ES300....she opted for the ES because it handled better for her ..noted that the RX did not have the pick up of the ES ......shocked to read that Edmunds.com rated the car at 8.0 only and even more surprised to read the feedback of various ES owners ....4.3 to 9.0 ...what a varied range of opinions! Ask me in a year how I rate this ES 300! I am keeping my fingers crossed. My wifes previous car is a 1991 Acura Legend and I had to fight to get her to give up her Legend!

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  Great Vehicle - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By roo2 - December 9 - 2:00 am

  Love the car. Excellent in winter.