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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  Disappointed in 2010 RX 350 - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By John B - April 27 - 5:23 pm

  Hi. This is my 4th RX 350 and I have to say this one is the most disappointing one. Lexus is getting very cheap with their products and yet charging more for the vehicle. Body molding on doors an option? Please. Ridiculous. Wood panel interior? Where is it? Very little there. Conventional spare gone, donut tire now? Premium stereo? I have to turn up volume to 30 decibels to hear it. Older RX 350 were much better interior and exterior. Lexus fell from being #1 in customer satisfaction, now I know why.

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  I really have no Complaints One of the the better cars i have owned - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By thumper1279 - April 26 - 5:08 pm

  I have gone through many cars in my life. I am hard on cars i admit so that is no help to me when it comes to them. Any issues that i have had with this car have only been caused by issues that i feel would have been appropriate for the miles.I bought my 07 Es350 in Feb of 2013 with 44k. It is now 17 months latter. i have put 40k on the car. When it was still under factory warranty the passenger front axle boot was leaking Lexus Fixed it best experience i ever had when having to have a repair done. just 2 month ago with 80k on the car My Extended service Contract Replaced the Front and rear Struts all 4 of them needed replacing. at 81k the W/P warranty covered it

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  its wonderful to drive an sc430 daily - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By kay - April 26 - 2:00 am

  This car is wonderful to drive and gives you much comfort if you are a busy, hardworking person. It is especially lovely to drive with the top down. Nothing has gone wrong at all.

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  my excellent car - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By rich strouse - April 26 - 2:00 am

  best purchase I ever made

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  My Lexus - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Betty - April 26 - 1:16 am

  My Lexus RX330 is the epitome of luxury and I love driving, riding or just looking at it. It is everything I would want in an automobile except the gas mileage of 19 - 20 miles to the gallon could be higher. I feel safer in this car due to the construction and the way it handles in snow proves the Lexus engineers knew what they were doing. I wont buy another vehicle except a Lexus.

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  Lexus RX400h - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Ardene - April 25 - 8:00 pm

  This vehicle is not only green and gas efficient but it is also fun to drive. I am short and this car easily adjusts to my driving comfort. There are no shortage of luxury features. Steering is relaxed and easy, nav system is excellent, and comfort is outstanding. I find the visibility to be good, with fewer blind spots than my last SUV. Lexus appears to done everything right with the vehicle.

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  Traded ours - 2007 Lexus GX 470
  By Jane - April 25 - 12:43 pm

  I have always purchased BMWs, but decided to get a Lexus for a change. I just traded it in and went back to BMWs. The SUV is very well made, but is awful to drive. We actually felt unsafe in ours.

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  Close to perfect - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By ELSAS DAD - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Thanks to all who posted their reviews previously. This is a fantastic car that will not disappoint as long as you understand it is not a pure sports car, but instead a GT touring car. I got the saddle interior, which not only looks good but actually smells like leather (unlike most japanese cars).

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  GREAT VEHICLE - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By JEANNE - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Overall Wonderfull vehicle. Smoothest ride of any SUV. Decent gas mileage avg around 26mpg on Mobil Regular. Good sound system.Great styling.

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  Drives like a car... - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By LexisOwner - April 25 - 2:10 am

  Excellent quality and drivability. 5 years old and still looks current. Bought the car new and loved it. Over the years, the small annoyances start to wear on you, like having to stop for gas every 300 miles and having to back up when making u-turns and when parking due to large turning radius.