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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  As Perfect As It Gets. - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Leawoodesq - May 25 - 4:46 pm

  Bought an LS 430 after seven years of Mercedes-Benz. Knew to expect silent operation, but was still surprised by the power and quiet. Its like being pushed by a huge electric motor. No vibration, very little sound from the engine, and tons of torque. The LS 430 is also surprisingly agile and, like other great luxury sedans, it seems to get smaller and lighter as the speed increases. I took an interstate cloverleaf at 60 mph with no tire squeal and complete control. Everything about this car is supremely well-engineered and manufactured. One nice feature is the auto-level on the xenon headlights so that they never blind oncoming drivers. Very thoughtful. Really love this car.

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  nice car - 2017 Lexus NX 200t
  By allen - May 23 - 9:37 pm

  car is very nice,,, good car,, not RX but who needs to spend an extra 10gs for the same( car basically)

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  2010 Lexus RX350 - AWD - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By LJ - May 23 - 6:03 am

  This is my first Lexus and I love it. I test drove several cars before choosing this one. The quietness, smoothness and overall quality is great. I love the dash which is neatly arranged and gives a rich appearance. Price is a little steep for what you get.

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  Dream Car - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Lexy - May 23 - 4:26 am

  Incredible handling, style, and capabilities. I loved the look of this car and had to have one. I love the way it drives even more, and would buy another, if I had a bigger garage!!!

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  Lexus ES300 Platinum Edition - 2001 Lexus ES 300
  By JosephGut - May 22 - 8:00 pm

  The ES300 is by far and away the most comfortable automobile that Ive ever owned, one of the most solid cars, and technologically the best Ive driven. This is the type of car where youll never say to yourself, "Gee, I wish they had done this or that" as far as the ergonomic and technical features of the car. Everything is laid out perfectly and every bell and whistle that the most tech savvy person could wish for has already been added.

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  LX is Awesome - 2005 Lexus LX 470
  By Love Lexus - May 22 - 2:00 am

  After Buying a GX a few months earlier, I traded in the piece of junk LR3 (which was 2 yrs newer). Simply put a 5 yr old Lexus with 50k is better than any other brand new car.

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  Love My Lexus! - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Momoftwo - May 21 - 10:46 pm

  Whats not to love about this suv!? It is super comfortable and drives so smooth. The extras like the navigation and DVD system are great and very user friendly. The sound system is top of the line. On top of all that it looks great. I also like that I only have to get the oil changed every 5K miles. I have taken it on several road trips always feel safe and comfortable on the interstate. Keeping this car for the four years that I promised my husband will not be hardship at all!!

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  NX 300h: Fun, efficient and sharp - 2015 Lexus NX 300h
  By Gary M. - May 21 - 6:02 pm

  If you like the aggressive styling, youll definitely enjoy driving the NX. Im a former RX owner and the NX will appeal to those who liked the size and style of the previous RX models. The NX is roomy enough to be useful while still offering a good garage fit. At approximately 2,000 miles on the odo, Im averaging about 30 mpg in mixed daily driving. RIDE: The NX is sure-footed with a comfortable ride. The rear wheels are electrically powered and only engage when needed. CABIN/COMFORT: The cabin is fairly quiet although the CVT is surprisingly loud... something that might be improved with better sound baffling in future model years, if Lexus is listening to owners. Seats are firm; back seat headroom is terrific for adult passengers. OPTIONS: My NX is pretty well-equipped (luxury package with triple-beam LED headlights). However, my last vehicle, a terrific Toyota Avalon Limited Hybrid, had a few nice features (such as automatic collision avoidance and a few other niceties) not yet offered by the NX. But I traded up for the cargo capacity and AWD. In summary, the NX 300h is not just a head-turner; its a solid performer that delivers nearly everything you expect from a Lexus. I do suggest test-driving the new RX before testing the NX, just to understand the difference in the price points and driving experience. I also suggest testing different NX models, including the turbo and F-Sport. I felt the NX hybrid was the right fit for my needs and I can highly recommend it.

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  Best of the Best - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By sayahhhhhhhhhhhh - May 20 - 10:00 am

  Best SUV in the market

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  Hot Godsend - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By Editor - May 20 - 10:00 am

  This car not only turns heads, it keeps your head assured that itll always be reliable with a furious performance.