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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  Rattle, rattle, rattle - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By sanfoja - July 15 - 7:13 am

  Love the RX300 EXCEPT for the rattles, have been plagued with these since about 1500 miles. Dealer has tried and tried but cannot fix the rattles, more just appear. Gonna trade this one in which is a shame because, otherwise, it is a great little ON-road SUV (also own a GMC Yukon 4Dr, 4WD for serious duty). The fuel mileage is a bit disappointing too, but it is AWD so I wont say it is awful (18 city 19-20 highway).

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  Lexus LX 470 - 2006 Lexus LX 470
  By kmeyer - July 13 - 9:56 am

  Open your wallets for this gas guzzler! Too many electronics - takes some time to learn and get used to. Love the navigation and stereo. The sunroof is very loud when opened, but all in all its a beautiful vehicle inside and out!

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  I purchased a lemon - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Jack F. - July 12 - 5:33 pm

  This is my 3rd new Lexus and the only one that I have had trouble with. My side view mirrors needed to be replaced, the struts holding the trunk lid up were also replaced, 3 parts to my steering column were replaced, my drivers seat needed 2 parts to repair the movement, to wit, front to back etc. It got stuck and would not stop. Last but not least, one of my wheels developed a large crack above the lugs which caused my service manager to call to inform me that it was to dangerous to drive the car the way it was and the cost of a new wheel was $ 550. Thats the bad news. The good news is, all the above was repaired under warrantee, including the wheel. Get the extended warrantee, I did.

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  Disappointed - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By mrbongo - July 8 - 5:16 am

  4th Lexus bought largely on the capacity. has about 25% more space than competitors. interior quality has slipped with each purchase. 1999 gs was first and best. main complaint is the use of vinyl on seats and arm rests. it cant cost that much more to put leather on instead of vinyl. quality of leather has been progressively less with each Lexus i bought. "99gs, 2003 rx, 2008 gs and now 2010rx. passenger seat being replace due to wrinkles and bumpiness. poor quality control. the quality of the carpet is not as good as in prior yrs. being nit picking but lexus is not the luxury car it was in "99. i will probably buy a different brand. was impressed with Hyundai Veracruz.

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  99 Lexus RX300 - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By Lyle D. Mitchell - July 8 - 1:16 am

  2nd owner of this 1999 RX300. Everything was fine until the auto trans went out at 77,800 miles with no warning. Lexus remanufact trans costs $5000. This failure was very disappointing.

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  SC430 - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By Larrry B - July 1 - 6:43 pm

  I have owned lots of cars over the years,the Lexus convert is one of the best cars that I have driven and Lexus is the best Co to deal with . They really stand behind their products.

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  Dont Buy the Navigation System for This Car - 2012 Lexus ES 350
  By usmcstrategist - July 1 - 5:22 pm

  This is our fourth Lexus. We bought the last three new. Until this model, we liked the car, the value, and the features, even though the latter are pricey. Our beef is with the navigation system. The Obamacare people could do better. A $270 voice-activated off-the-shelf Garmin 2797LMT runs circles around this $2,600 rip-off. Its awful. Based on what Ive read about the 2013-14 models, nothing has changed. That affirms the arrogance of Lexus USA executives. Another tell-tale sign: If one calls the 800 Lexus number, one learns that Lexus management refuses to give the phone reps the tools to do their jobs: they cant see my instrument panel on their monitors. Therefore, they cant help.

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  After 7,200 miles, the good and the bad - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By ghager - June 28 - 1:00 am

  Mileage is disappointing; I get 22-24. Nice looking wheels, but watch out at the curb - too easy to ding. Visibility a problem front and rear. Bluetooth sub-par; friends complain they can barely hear me. GPS interface very user unfriendly at first. A matter of taste, but the exterior is odd looking. Voice command is flukey; I crack up my niece by telling it to do something and getting a bizarre response. I dont feel confident throwing it around corners. All this said, I like it - good, quiet, solid ride. Acceleration quite strong when needed. Dont think Ill get another, though.

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  Waited a year for the NX to arrive - 2015 Lexus NX 300h
  By socaldriver15 - June 23 - 10:04 am

  I had been looking for a compact SUV for about a year and test drove pretty much everything on the market. I had been driving a 2001 Lexus RX300 and really loved that car and did not want the larger footprint of the newer RX models. My ideal car would be the layout of the old RX300 with updated electronics and slightly sportier handling, with the comfort typical of lexus and toyota seating. The new NX was the closest I could find to my ideal car. It has a footprint closer to the old RX than to the new RX and has sportier handling than the new RX. It can park in the compact spots in my parking garage at work although it is a tight fit.

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  Sore Back - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Soreback1 - June 11 - 4:30 am

  I got a great deal on the car but in my 112 mile drive home my back hurts so back I need to return the car. My rear and back really hurt and this morning I am still hurting. I love this car totally but am so bummed out that the seat is so hard that me as well as my passenger could not get home fast enough after the first 50 miles. I am so disappointed as it is the most I have ever paid for a car. Everything else is amazing.