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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  Just what you were promised - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By fred savoy - January 30 - 10:36 am

  This car is precisely what it is supposed to be. A very quiet luxurious ride with ample power and very good gas mileage at a relatively low price.

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  Excellant Review.. - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By quick - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my IS300 this past July. I am very happy w/ the way it handles and accelerates. The ride is nice and smooth for the tight suspension. I find it easy to out handle the Fire Birds, Camaros and CL-Type S on the road. The GPS system is good. I would probably rate it as 2nd best on the market. It is correct about 90% of the time. I think Acura has the best GPS.

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  Great vehicle - 2005 Lexus LX 470
  By hkypuk10 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the best riding most comfortable SUV i have ever owned. I will never buy any other type of SUV than this one ..It beats all the competition in every category except mileage.. I have owned the rest and this is the best one!!!!!!!!!!

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  pocket rocket - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By moy - January 27 - 10:00 am

  great fun. good looking. great technology on the retractable top. noise level in cabin could be quieter with improvements on wheel-roll noise. all in all a dream.

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  LOVE IT! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By H - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This suv is great! I have had numberous suvs. This only drives very nicely, has a great interior and is VERY quite. The automobile does NOT drive like a truck. Fuel is not bad, I fill my tank once a week. I drive a lot with two kids. There was difference in gas milage from my old mini van. The Lexus GX 470 is WONDERFUL!

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  Love my Lexus - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By abusymom - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The good use of interior space makes this car as big as my old Expedition was. It handles very nicely. None of the rattles and truck like ride I had with other SUVs is present in this car. It is missing power rear windows, and sometimes on left turns there is a bit of a blind spot. Overall, Id have to say I love the car - and I get 16 miles per gallon, which is not too bad for an SUV.

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  Difference from Camry and Accor - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Johnson88 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  When green light is on, it can pass Camry and Accord easily if you want. Internally it is hard to tell which luxury item is missing comparing with any luxury car (of course you must buy it with options as much as you can, otherwise go buy top Camry or Accord to save your money).

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  RX 330 - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Jorymj - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The RX 330 is fun to drive, very comfortable, and it drives like a car. The interior is beautiful, and the features are endless. The only complaints I have are; not having a chime when the fuel is low, and not having a coin holder accessible to the driver. The only problem has been the power lift gate motor. Lexus replaced immediately with no problems since. Maintainence is expensive, however the oil only needs to be changed every 5,000 miles. My next vehicle will most likely be the same, but newer.

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  Never a problem, luxury drive - 2006 Lexus RX 330
  By sscott - January 25 - 9:56 pm

  Everyone that drives my car says what a "nice ride" it is. I love its turning radius, comfort, features, visibility, styling, performance and most of all, reliability. I have had zero problems in 25 months of ownership.

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  Love My lexus - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Lisa - January 25 - 3:16 am

  I absolutely love my Lexus. There was some getting used to the car. Every car runs differently so you have to get the feel for it. But it runs great, even cold. It truly is a luxury car.