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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  Love this Car - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By Jonnyjmp - May 17 - 2:13 am

  I have to say this has been the best car I have ever owned. The only problem is people want to talk to tell you how nice the car looks when you have the top down and are stopped at a light.

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  Simply the Best - 2008 Lexus GX 470
  By Liquiddi - May 15 - 3:03 pm

  I bought an 08 GX 470 for my wife and love every bit of this truck. I own an 06 Trailblazer SS and love it to death. I can say the Lexus out performs the SS in every category except performance. The Lexus is tight The doors dont rattle when you shut them. At the age of 33 Im really sick of all the American cars Ive had. I guess Im getting old and tired of dealing with the problems. GX 470 is awesome.

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  Great Vehicle, fantastic mileage - 2008 Lexus RX 400H
  By lexus_gta - May 15 - 1:49 am

  I bought this used about a month ago with only about 60 K km. (less than 40K miles) on it. After much research I decided to use only REGULAR gas in it since it seems that Premium is more about performance than fuel economy. Ill probably throw in an additive every three months or so. Having driven it about 2500 km. (about 1500 miles), Im averaging 8.6L / 100km. which is just over 27mpg. And thats on REGULAR Gas. My 2010 2.4L 4 cyl. Hyundai Santa Fe could not even begin to to approach these numbers. Couldnt be happier because I got a great deal on a car that was just inspected by Lexus and had all the brakes done by Lexus, and is practically new. My best vehicle ever!

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  Never could find the car I wanted :-( - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By Doc 4x5 - May 14 - 4:02 pm

  I thought it would be simple, a Lexus NX200t with ALL the new safety equipment recommended in the new Consumer Reports Magazine, with dark leather, and not black. Even after weeks of diligent searching by my local dealer, and by me on the internet from Seattle to Chicago to Palm Springs, such a car could not be located. Some dealers even had as many as thirty NX200ts on their lots, but... Almost ALL RX350s come with the safety equipment, but for some reason, in a car, one notch down, that costs $40,000 to almost $50,000, this is not available. Ironically I can have all the safety gear in almost any Subaru. Oh, well, Im still waiting and looking. It may be 2017 before this car becomes available, or maybe next week?

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  Acceptable for a 64" Man - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By huntid - May 14 - 3:03 pm

  I have owned the car for 2 weeks now... It was between this car and the Pilot and MDX. I ultimately chose this car because the seat went back 2 inches farther then the Hondas. Legroom for me is very good. I was assured by Kelley Blue Book on YouTube and the other sites that the ride is very smooth and comfortable. It is BUT, on the 5 mile stretch of road I have to travel to my work, which is kind of rough, then I feel it bounce MORE than my Camry.

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  Lexus New SUV - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By OWNER - May 14 - 10:00 am

  My wife and I just purchased the new lexus gx. So far it is enjoyable but I am now looking to purchase the Porsche Cayenne. The Lexus is smooth and navigational system easy to use. I love the engine but maybe a little more horspower would be better. We didnt like that there are no xenon head lamps or integrated turn signals in the mirrors. Otherwise, the lexus is a great competitor and should last for years.

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  A good near luxury car - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By J J - May 14 - 10:00 am

  My lexus is a very beautiful car. It is so comfortable and so quite. The 4 exhaust give it a sporty look. The drivetrain is smooth and excellent. It has very big back doors for easy entrance. I wish there was a little more leg room because my friends and family are all kind of tall but besides that it is a superb car and i would definintly recomend it.

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  best car I have owned - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By jp1 - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 3 lexus vehicles and the LS 430 is one I cannot find any faults with. There are more features on the car than I can list here, and the reliability, as with all Lexus vehicles, is excellent. The car is fun to drive, reliable and very, very luxurious.

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  IS300 - An Almost Perfect Sport Sedan - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By BigLou - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Comparing the Lexus(vs BMW): Pros RELIABILITY - an friends 325is had problems (transmission and driver seat). My Camry: 10+ years, 150k miles, excellent record "Razor-sharpness" - everything is "sharp." Ride, shifter, clutch - all project a sporting nature Price - almost $10k less. It is easier to deal with Lexus Less ubiquitous - Everybody and his cousin drives a BMW 3 or 5 series. Too "me-too," (except M3 or M5) Better NAV - only one better is on the Acura CL Cons Less prestige - especially in the eyes of girls/non-car-enthusiasts/those fixated on the badge Less power - the 10hp difference (as rated) between the two somehow feel more

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  love my es300 - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By 3x Lexus owner - May 14 - 2:00 am

  this is my third Lexus. I had a 97 es300, 2000 gs300 and now 2003 es300. I like this car the best, especially for the money.