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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  Loaded 2002 IS300 - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By rslewis - October 19 - 3:29 pm

  Ive had mine since 2012, after I bought it I changed ALL fluids and did the timing belt... havent looked back. This site doesnt allow you to choose a model that has navigation for 2002 which mine has.. also has full blk leather interior, sunroof, 5 speed manual, LSD rear end, heated seats, power everything. Whoever bought this car initially ordered it from the dealer with all those options b/c I havent seen one like it in person or online.. I love it. 5 speed is the way to go in this car, but finding one is getting hard, nice city power to get thorough traffic, not the best MPG, but im heavy footed and you get the trusty Toyota build quality. Great Car!

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  Best car I have ever owned. - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By NJ LAWYER - October 19 - 7:56 am

  Hands down the most fun I have had owning a car. Drive it 100+ miles daily, for 6 years and still loving it. Other than normal maintenance no problems. I have never kept a car this long, usually 4 years and out, but I am looking forward to 4 more years with this one.

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  My third LS-430 - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Paul Battenberg - October 18 - 11:40 am

  My only complaint is that they changed the glove compartment from two doors to one, and things fall off the shelf inside now. Go back to two doors. Everything else rates a "10"

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  Fabulous Car - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By K & S - October 18 - 9:03 am

  Had a Sequoia before the 2007 RX 350 AWD and I loved it. I sometimes miss the capacity of the Sequoia, but the RX 350 is such a great car, Im over it in no time! This car is so generously appointed and capable, I seriously sometimes forget I have to drive it... it does everything else for me. I got everything on it except the DVD system and Im still learning cool stuff it does. I test drove many cars before deciding on this one and for the money, there is nothing better out there. Actually, nothing even came close.

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  Not Quite - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By McClenahan - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Automatic transmission is slow to respond, jerky, and is often slow to shift when starting from a stop. Understeer and an over-active traction control never allow any rear-wheel drive fun. Seats are unconfortable (to me.) Lots of wind noise. Poor gas mileage. Occassional squeaks/rattles. Interior materials feel/look cheap.

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  World Quality - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By fvdeane - October 18 - 2:00 am

  From the first day this car has been like no other Ive ever driven. Smooth, quiet, powerful, rides like a dream. The Mark Levinson sound system is fantastic. You can hear every instrument like it was in the car with you. The fit and finish are superb. I have the black/black, and the richness of the look is fantastic. I got my $57,600 worth, believe me!

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  Lexus should be ashamed - 2015 Lexus RX 350
  By germancarlife - October 17 - 11:54 pm

  I just bought a 2015 F sport to replace my 05 BMW X5 4.4i. All I can say is that this car is complete garbage. Ive never felt so much body roll and front end weight in my life. This thing under steers like no other in a corner. Its a bad feeling when the wheels turn but the car doesnt. My ten year old X5 pulled so much harder and handled much much better even with it being a lot heavier than the RX. I felt safe in the X5 performing high speed maneuvers while I dont even trust the RX to take a 15mph corner. The engine in the RX is garbage as well. All this thing is is a glorified Toyota rav 4. Im going back to the Lexus dealer to get my BMW back for me and my families safety.

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  Lifetime Lexus owner - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By deven - October 17 - 11:53 am

  I have had my Lexus es 330 for 2 weeks and love everything about it. The car is vault like quiet and eats up road anomolies with ease. I test drove the other competitors and I liked the Lexus the best because the interior of the car is georgeous and the ride is smooth and quiet. If you are looking for a sporty car then the Lexus is not for you. If you are looking for a car that will give you a quiet, serene and soft ride then the Lexus ES 330 is the car for you. This is my first Lexus and thats all I will buy.

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  Unbelievable Ride - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Brandon - October 16 - 3:00 pm

  I wasnt really looking for a Lexus. I happened to be driving by the Lexus dealership and test drove the GS and was amazed. Great handling and smooth acceleration. I went back the next morning and purchased it. I love the color Quartz shadow Metallic. Loving it ever since.

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  Novice - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Dave - October 15 - 12:26 pm

  Its a great car to drive. Its comfortable and smooth to drive. The only problem I have is the mileage/gallon is not what I expected. It falls way short of what was advertised.