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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  Hate the new 2013 RX 350 - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By lka - August 6 - 6:29 pm

  Let me start my review by saying that I loved my 2010 RX 350. Why havent I read that the 2013 RX 350 has a much stiffer suspension and harder seats. Even my husband who doesnt care about comfort in car has noticed that the seats are hard. I leased the 2013 RX 350 non sport model. NON Sport and it has a very harsh bouncy ride. I so wish that I had not turned in my 2010 for this model.

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  Very good, not perfect - 2016 Lexus RX 450h
  By KC Evans - July 27 - 3:44 pm

  Super comfortable, with one of the nicest interiors in its class. Wife liked the new styling, me I think its a bit over the top. Radio and Nav interface could be better, but once you get use to it, its not bad. Have body fit and quality issues that are a disappointment. Gas filler door sticks proud of the body, the front hood rattles, weather strip around one of passenger doors has come loose. The paint on the front bumper around one of the parking sensors is dis colored. At 4000 miles the sending unit for the gas gauge failed leaving my wife stranded when she ran out of gas with the gauge showing 3/4 of a tank. The on center feel of the steering is vague and there is a bit of torque steer on hard excelleration. Smooth silent ride.

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  TRANSMISSION & SUSPENSION ISSUES - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By MICHELE - July 26 - 6:10 pm

  This is a nice looking car and very comfortable but it lacks in the mechanical arena. I have had 2 major warranty issues. Front left strut broke (told bolts left loose from factory install caused the break) and the transmission had to be replaced. Not only that but it didnt solve the problem, ECU had to be reflashed a couple months later when they got a software upgrade. Told me I was the only one having issues, found out on Edmunds lots of people have them with this year. Dont buy a used one unless the transmission and ECU have been fixed. You will have problems. Not impressed with service or how they handled the quality issues... pursuit of quality... yeah right.

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  Hesitation - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Nancy - July 24 - 9:00 pm

  I bought my Lexus this summer and have not been happy with it. The hesitation and jerking when starting to accelerate is not right. The dealer says this is normal for a V6 engine. If thats the case Im selling! The drink holder between the front seats is in a bad location. If you try to use it and change gears you will spill the drink. I have been very disappointed with Lexus.

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  alot of trouble - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By a/l - July 22 - 2:00 am

  are wheels of our car needed to be fixed almost right away. we needed them a again. when the engine on and the car is stoped it hurts our ears. although it is a safe car. the dealer dave mungenast lexus of st. louis is a rip off so dont buy there.

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  Great in some ways, but definite issues - 2017 Lexus LX 570
  By Chris K. - July 19 - 10:39 pm

  Nice large vehicle with good safety features such as numerous, well distributed airbags. I consider the 6000 pound weight a bit of a safety feature as well. Has a number of issues which would place this vehicle between a 3 and 4 star rating for me. I had a 2011 model which I traded for a 2016. The engine in the newer model is more sluggish, and if a more rapid acceleration is desired, the engine sounds like a 4 cylinder that is about to throw a rod. The 2011 engine and transmission strangely seemed quite superior.This is usually sold with the 21 inch wheels, and as I found out after purchase, that Dunlop is the only manufacturer of a tire this size. Not a very good tire and I am at this moment in my 3rd week without being able to drive my car because the tires are nationally on a back order. The vehicle is sitting at my Lexus dealer, who doesnt really know what to tell me at this point. The screens for watching television in the back seat stick so far off of the backs of the front seats that they encroach on the headspace of the rear seat passengers. I found this almost scary when I sat in the back seat. Anti-lock brake mechanism is not smooth and if hard braking is required, the tires seem to skip around on the road. Not sure how much of this is due to the tire quality versus the anti-lock quality.

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  Transmission hesitation is unforgivable - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Lee Anders - June 30 - 4:13 pm

  Ive owned this vehicle for three months, and now have a little over 5000 miles on it. From day one, the transmission has been unacceptable! I brought this to the dealers attention, the day I drove it home. The transmission is programmed not to gear down until the vehicle comes to a complete stop. So when one slows to make a right or left turn - or when one slows down as in traffic on a busy freeway, then you need to accelerate, the transmission will hesitate for a couple of seconds - as though it doesnt quite know what to do - then it will slam into a lower gear and lurch forward. This is not only annoying, it is dangerous in traffic.

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  RX330 - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By tk watson - June 22 - 1:40 am

  Has not lived up to expectations (had RX300 for 6 years). Vehicle tends to pull to left (told that was "normal"), exterior door moldings do not remain secure to car (repaired 3x, still a problem), lots of rattles and noises. Drivers seat is not flush to steering wheel. No fun to drive.

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  A lot room for improvement as a "Luxury" vehicle - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Camas John - May 27 - 10:24 am

  The front wind shield wiper makes annoying noise when the blade hits the left end. The newly designed rear wipers can not reach the lower left and upper right corner under raining condition and create blind spots. The acceleration peddle is very noisy when it is released and this should never happen to a "Luxury" vehicle. The discomfort seats give a feeling of riding on a cheap truck.

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  Chips - 2006 Lexus SC 430
  By BJBreslow - May 11 - 2:10 am

  After only 6k iles I have 11 paint chips on the hood of the vehicle. Lexus claims road hazard. I say every stone or pebble on the highway must be hitting me. Only 1k miles on highway. How is it possible. Chrome around grill vs painted plastic. Two chips there as well! Very disappointed!