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 Vehicle - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Marv 8888 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Lexus and not the last. The ride is great. THe GPS is excellent. THe sound system is fantastic. THe back-up television screen is superb. The car is extremely reliable. I have nothing negative to say about it.

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  Love my Lexus! - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Mary Kay Rowekamp - November 27 - 11:13 pm

  This is my 3rd Lexus and am always super pleased with the total car. The smoothness of the ride and motor with an attractive looking car make it perfect. The Lexus dealerships aim to please and always are courteous. The maintenance records have all been problem free. I was hesitant about the push button start, but have adjusted to it very well.

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  Truly amazing car! - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By LSfan - November 27 - 9:26 pm

  My wife and I originally went into the Lexus dealer looking for a new GS. The salesman took us for a ride but said upfront that the car may be a little small for me. I am 65 and broad shouldered. He was right and the car was a bit cramped. While we were waiting for him to return with the keys my wife saw the LS460 and said she loved how that one looked. I of course responded that it was also the most expensive! When our salesman returned we said we would also like to drive the LS. Of course there was no comparison and we bought the LS. It is just the perfect car. So fast and incredibly comfortable. The interior is the nicest we have ever seen baring none. Highly recommend it!

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2001 Lexus ES 300
  By Ted - November 25 - 7:50 pm

  We bought our Lexus ES new in 2001. It is now 6.5 years old and has 79,000 miles. I just replaced the battery for the first time, and other than that, I have done oil, air filters, and one set of tires. This car is the most reliable thing. We paid the ES off 2 years ago and are going to keep it as a second car. We will be purchasing a new 2008 ES 350 and hope it is just as reliable as this one has been. Also nice to know is that the resale value is still approx $13K, after 7 years! We are sold on Lexus!

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  Lexus keeps a good thing going in 09 - 2009 Lexus RX 350
  By Steve Rose - November 25 - 3:30 am

  I love this car! Function and form. What more could you ask for? A run to Home Depot? No problem. A night out on the town? Looking good! All the features you could ever want at a reasonable price. MPG that will make you want to ditch your SUV! Also, knowing that underneath is a Toyota product that will run forever with little more than the occasional oil change is very comforting.

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  03 LS 430 ULTRA LUX - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By RON36330 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  DEALER EXPERIENCE WAS EXCEPTIONAL. GREAT PEOPLE. CAR RECEIVED WITH NO FLAWS OR DEFECTS. NO ADJUSTMENTS REQUIRED. EXTREMELY COMFORTABLE WITH ALL AMENITIES ONE COULD ASK FOR. RIDE IS EXCEPTIONAL, SMOOTH AND QUIET.

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  03 SC 430 - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By RON36330 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  EXCELLENT DEALER SERVICE. CAR RECEIVED WITH NO DEFECTS OR ADJUSTMENTS REQUIRED. ALL EQUIPMENT WORKS AND NO PROBLEMS. FIT AND FININSH ARE FLAWLESS.

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  Short people want to drive it too! - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By shorty - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this car but, THERE IS NO WAY AROUND THE BLIND SPOT ON THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN THE TOP IS UP. WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN THERE IS AN IMPROVEMENT BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH. before YOU BUY SIT IN CAR AND CHECK OUT THE BLIND SPOT AS SEAT DOES NOT GO UP VERY FAR. LOOK AT TOP EDGE OF CAR WITH WINDOWS AND TOP DOWN AND WHILE YOU ARE SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. AT MY HEIGHT MY LINE OF SIGHT IS JUST A FRACTION OVER THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS THE BLIND SPOT I, AM TALKING ABOUT. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

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  Short people want to drive it too! - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By Shorty - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I love this car but, THERE IS NO WAY AROUND THE BLIND SPOT ON THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN THE TOP IS UP. WHEN THE TOP IS DOWN THERE IS AN IMPROVEMENT BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH. before YOU BUY SIT IN CAR AND CHECK OUT THE BLIND SPOT AS SEAT DOES NOT GO UP VERY FAR. LOOK AT TOP EDGE OF CAR WITH WINDOWS AND TOP DOWN AND WHILE YOU ARE SITTING IN THE DRIVERS SEAT. AT MY HEIGHT MY LINE OF SIGHT IS JUST A FRACTION OVER THE TOP OF THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. THIS IS THE BLIND SPOT I, AM TALKING ABOUT. NOT ACCEPTABLE.

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  03 SC 430 - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By ron36330 - November 24 - 2:00 am

  EXCELLENT DEALER SERVICE. CAR RECEIVED WITH NO DEFECTS OR ADJUSTMENTS REQUIRED. ALL EQUIPMENT WORKS AND NO PROBLEMS. FIT AND FININSH ARE FLAWLESS.