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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  MPG overrated - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Dave Clifford - February 18 - 9:36 am

  If you expect the 27-31 mpg this vehicle claims, you better not run the AC. Actual mileage for the first 500 miles=23.6 mpg. This may be OK for the rest of the country, but in SW Florida where you run the AC all the time, I recommend the regular RX330.

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  The Checkup - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Jayj - February 18 - 2:00 am

  It is a great, luxurious ride and a faboulous car to have. It makes a great present too.

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  A FINE AUTOMOBILE - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By RFIELDS147 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  OVERALL, ONE OF THE BEST LUXURY CARS I HAVE EVER OWNED. A QUIET,SMOOTH, COMFORTABLE RIDE.

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  GREAT - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Easyed - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Lexus (400/430) ..these are great cars, very reliable, excellent service, couldnt get any better. The only complaint would be on the on-line service which was sold to me and was misrepresented. I bought it, only to find, first it wasnt installed properly, secondly the price only was for 1 year and had to be renewed each year for a cost. I was never told that when I orginally purchased the service.

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  great car - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By joanne - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my Cadillac. This is the best car ever. comfortable to drive. Much more leg room than previous car.Have taken 2 1800 mile trips. Handled great.

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  BEST CAR EVER - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By DEWEYS - February 18 - 2:00 am

  GAVE A LS 430 TO MY WIFE AND IT IS THE GREATEST AUTO EVER MADE BY ROBOTS AND MAN. LETS FACE IT, THE PEOPLE FROM JAPAN BUILD A BETTER CAR FOR THE DOLLAR THEN WE DO HERE.

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  Owners pride. - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Mike. S - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Excellent auto in all features. Produced with care and user needs in mind. Dealerships are responsive and caring. Have rarely had any visits to the dealer other than for routine service. This automobile would be hard to beat in any price range. Am completely satisfied

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  Its been over a year - no regrets - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By joeyzasa - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my 2002 IS300 for over a year now. I still love it. Sure, its not the fastest of the bunch (still pretty quick) and has clear taillights (like every souped up civic out there). However, it makes up for it in so many ways. The car fits me like a glove. Its also nice to be one of only a few IS owners in my area vs the hoards of BMW owners. Overall, I have no regrets with my purchase. The only thing I might change would be to get a 5spd. But the e-shift provides a good compromise between performance and sitting in traffic.

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  BEST FOR THE MONEY - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By TURIDDU - February 18 - 2:00 am

  A SIMILAR VEHICLE SAVED MY LIFE IN A "REAR-ENDER" THE SERVICE THAT ALL LEXUS DEALERS PROVIDE IS SECOND TO NONE. LIL WOULD PREFER A "SPORTIER" VERSION. THE "SPORT" SETTING ON MY ULTRA-LUXURY MODEL JUST DOESNT DO IT

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  What a Car! - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By yawsboy8067 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I am an ex Acura owner and decided to try a Lexus. The ES 330 is a superb vehicle with a quiet, luxurious ride. Lexus pursuit of perfection comes close with this vehicle. I am glad I waited and didnt buy an ES 300 model. For the price, the features cannot be beat. I would recommend this model to anybody in the new car sedan market. A great buy and a great ride!