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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  Top Dog - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By DrMike - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I have had many SUVs over the past 10 years, but never one that was "all-in- one." This LUV (luxury utility vehicle) is the BEST of everything that I have ever wanted and enjoyed. This LUV makes me "want" to drive, even on the busiest roadways. The quality speaks volumes for the name Lexus. This is The Vehicle that you can be comfortable taking ANYWHERE, the Country Club or camping or just kicking back for a cruise on the road.

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  ok...but, missing somthing. - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By JMan - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Good but not great. I think this car is going to have to step it up to continue to compete with the big boys. I think it looks a little to much like boy racer cars (i.e. civic and such). Does not really stand out in the looks department.

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  I love my car! - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By InlineRacer - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned seven cars in the same general price range and this is without a doubt the very best of them all. The car has so many hidden features that I read the owners manual like it was a best selling novel. I absolutly love the car and want to thank the engineers who obviously gave up a few nights at home to get it right in every way possible.

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  My Best Car Ever - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Benjamin Aban - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I find this car very quiet and powerful when needed. Cruising one time at 120 mph, although illegal here in the USA made me believe that this car is like a car without any wings.

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  Japanese Excellence - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By eblue - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Total dedication to pursuit of high reliability (look at jd power ratings- consecutive years of being at the top for quality) and luxury (precision and beauty of wood; leather texture excellent; seats are firm and equal germans; buttons galore; shades; vanity mirrors; oscillating vents) coupled with focus on technical advantages over the germans (low cd;high mpg;ulev;low db;best dvd nav)

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  Very happy - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By jojo55 - November 26 - 2:00 am

  this suv offers real comfort and a strong feeling of safety. Surprisenly i struggle with the rear visibility. i took out the 3rd row seats, they fold up to the side when not in use which really affects visibility and removed the 2nd seat headrests to provide clearer visibility and all is well for me. navigation system is very helpful and pretty easy to use. this is my first suv and i would purchase another.its size makes manuverability easier than i expected. i experienced (2) problems with car that needed factory fixes - it took too long -

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  Modern trouble free Japanese Cadillac - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By joey - November 25 - 4:56 pm

  This is my second ES, this car is more about luxury than sport. Fuel economy is excellent for the size car and 0-60 specs but requires premium fuel. Overall I am very satisfied with this car.

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  2005 ES 330 - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By William - November 25 - 7:00 am

  We drove this car from San Francisco to Palm Desert CA, one week after we purchased it. We like the leather seats in our 1997 ES 300 better, but this was a pure delight to drive. Its drives like a well built car.

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  Lexus is the best - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By egolding - November 25 - 5:26 am

  i have driven this car like a hummer beat the hell out of it but it still drives brand new looks great everything works except my cd player but the sound system over still pounds the only thing i can say is this is a awesome car all around

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  RX330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By John S - November 25 - 2:00 am

  We bought one of the first RX330s back in mid 03, and that was after owning 2 RX300s beginning in 99. It is hard to envision a better medium sized SUV. It is stylish, comfortable, and Lexus Quality is hard to beat.