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 Advertised - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Dino Necci - January 7 - 11:33 am

  My wife has been after this car for quite a while. It is a joy to drive everything works as intended, the only thing she complains of is the interior color. White on tan interior, black would have been better and the transmission the way it shifts but on checking the car it looks like this car is drive by wire, which means there is no cable connected to gas peddle. Its electric, that might be why the tranny shifts the way it does. The hot and cold seats are great, easy to clean, good fit and finish.

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  Gorgeous and reliable fun - 2006 Lexus SC 430
  By Beinn - January 6 - 9:23 pm

  Terrific styling, not seen too often.

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  Nice Vehicle - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Rob McCracken - January 6 - 11:30 am

  My RX 330 is a nice vehicle wich receives comments where ever I go. It is comfortable, drives well, and luxurious. All in all, I am very pleased.

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  Lots of Fun to Drive - 2004 Lexus GS 300
  By mstoys - January 6 - 2:00 am

  The interior of the GS 300 is very stylish and controls are within easy reach to the driver. I bought the navigation system and am very happy with its overall performance. System is run off of GPS and keeps the car on the map. The 6 cyl engine is very zippy. I toyed with the idea of getting the GS 430 to get the bigger engine but after driving both found that the GS 300 had plenty of power. Service from Lexus has been a very pleasant experience. I highly recommend this car.

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  Great Car - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Stanl - January 6 - 2:00 am

  After owning 3 Mercedes, including a convertible, this car is by far the best car I have had. Performance and handling are superior. My only complaint is the drivers seat does not have the comfort of other cars I have driven. I am only 510 but the car does not have proper leg room or is too high. I can never get the seat adjusted to where it is comfortable.

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  New Car Honeymoon - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By New Lexus Owner - January 6 - 2:00 am

  Although the handling is not as tight as my last high performance car, I enjoy my new Lexus ES 330 immensely. The size is perfect for 4, and it can accommodate 5 easily. The truck is generous, and the front wheel drive is a carefree comfort in Northern climates. The rear sunscreen is appreciated by back seat passengers, and the safety ratings make this car a prudent choice. Additionally, the dealership has been superb.

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  The ultimate in driving - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Jane - January 4 - 7:20 pm

  I love this car! I had a 2001 GS 300 and thought it was great but this one beats it by miles. It is great fun to drive and with AWD the steering is beautiful. It almost drives itself!

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  Fun car! - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Ko - December 31 - 3:16 pm

  My top 3 choice was C230k, 3series, and Is 300. I had a chance to test drive each vehicle, and I would have to say in terms of performance and comfort, IS300 blows off the other 2. Obviously, IS300 has its own flaws as well. If you are seeking luxury/status quo vehicle and dont mind spending $1500 to $2500 more, this is definatley not the vehicle of choice for you. However, if you are a working professional, who feel little bit uneasy to be driving around on a sport-car, but miss the good old days, this is the vehicle of your choice. In addition, depending on your negotiation skills, you may easily cut down the price to $29000-30000 without any problem at all unlike BMW or MB.

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  LEXUS IS THE BEST - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By EarthKarma - December 31 - 2:00 am

  This was the 5th Lexus weve purchased and its wonderful. I just traded in my 1998 LX470 that had 100K on it, and never had any problems the entire time I owned it. I thought that care was so wonderful, and this one is even eons better. Smooth, quiet, great stereo, great nav system...doesnt get any better.

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  The Thrill of Driving - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Earl Jaffe - December 31 - 2:00 am

  Its like being in the cockpit of a fighter jet. All controls right in front of you. It has all the power needed and more. Top up or down, quiet with the feeling of a much bigger vehicle.