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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  Go Green in Style - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By arcee - November 24 - 2:40 pm

  Beautiful build quality, exceptional features. I am a sports car owner/driver, and I find it interesting that this car has made me change my driving habits as I strive to maximize my efficiency. If you want maximimum mpg performance this is a must, and it leads to safer driving habits on the road also. Having said that, it will get up and go if you romp on it. Typical Lexus luxury. Also, ignore recomendation for premium gas, 89 octane works just fine with no appreciable loss in performance or mpg.

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  Comfortable reliability - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Droste - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Faultlessly as advertised. The automatic feature work very well but can make you feel lazy and spoiled, so I disengage them periodically so that I feel that I am controlling the car.

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  The Best Yet - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Ginger Lee - November 22 - 10:00 am

  We were looking for a reliable car, especially since we plan to do some traveling. We decided to look at the Lexus and immediately decided this was the car for us. Its a comfortable car - smooth riding - makes you feel special when youre driving it down the road. I have no complaints about our Lexus...in fact, its the best car Ive ever owned.

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  Truly Awesome - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By dhwlaw - November 20 - 8:56 pm

  This is a great car, inside and out. Its unbelievably quick at all speeds, incredibly smooth and quiet. I love this car.

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  From one Lexus to another - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Tim Palko - November 20 - 1:40 pm

  This is my second Lexus, my first a 05 LS430. Drove it for 5 years and loved every minute of it. I wanted another Lexus but couldnt afford a new LS so I purchased a 05 ES330 and love it. Same great features and Lexus ride. No transmission problem noticed because I do a lot of Highway driving. As far as cup holders, well you shouldnt be drinking anyway.

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  The Squeakmobile - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By Eduardo Jimenez - November 19 - 10:00 pm

  My first Lexus, but oh, what a disappointment. Love the ride and the power, but the car has developed squeaks and rattles everywhere. The whole panel behind the rear seat rattles/vibrates when I turn the radio up. The glove compartment door latch broke and wont close. It takes several tries for the voice-recognition system to get the numbers right. The interior materials are cheap: the glove compartment and coin doors are flimsy, and quality of the leather is third-rate. Also, this is not a car for tall people; all-around visibility is VERY limited; the roofline is low, the windowsills are very high and the windshield is very inclined, even the rearview mirror gets in the way.

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  Lexus RX 300 ,1999 RX 300 8 YEAR REVIEW - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By PowerhousePaluch - November 18 - 6:26 pm

  I purchased this RX 300 brand new, this was my first Japanese built vehicle, having owned, VWs, Volvos, Audis and BMWs and one Chev Corsica. Just as we were driving off the lot. I remember the salesperson saying "you will not have any problems with this car for the next 7 years" I thought, ok Buddy, I already bought and paid you stop the sales pitch. He was right, for the next 7 years I only had to do the scheduled maintenance and put gas in it. I am now going to trade it in. It is now 9 years old and has 146,000 km, but still looks good. I will buy another Lexus. Problems that I had with my 1999 RX 300, you ask? See suggested improvements.

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  Magic car - Perfect 10 - LS 460 - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By mitchell rowe - November 18 - 8:43 am

  The 2008 SWB LS 460 is light years ahead of the 2007,

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  Miles of Smiles - 2010 Lexus RX 450h
  By Tom McLaughlin - November 17 - 2:03 pm

  Previous to this purchase I have always been a Toyota man. So, this is my first Lexus. I have only owned it a couple of weeks and have 950 miles on it. However, knowing how competent Toyota is I am sure I will get years of good service on this Lexus. Its the most fun I have had driving a car since the first miles on my old 93 Land Cruiser which I traded in on the Clunker program. However, that Land Cruiser was anything but a clunker! My wife has an 08 Toyota Highlander which we also love. Still, the Lexus has it over the Highlander and Im glad I bought it.

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  Simply the best - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By fladave - November 17 - 9:33 am

  The European cars are just terribly overpriced and the American cars are all garbage which leaves room for the Japanese to dominate. Well Lexus steals the show period. Nothing can touch the design, build quality or reliability of a Lexus. After you take a ride in this SUV and then get into anything else you cant help but laugh at other carmakers and smile to yourself.