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:

• 

  GX 470 is King. - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By TedK - January 27 - 8:00 am

  Have over 35K on truck now. Never a problem. Drives and tows like a dream. Would highly recommend over any other 4 x 4 on the market. It rides and drives like a car but has all the power of a truck. Tows my 6000 lb boat like it isnt there. What a perfect truck.

• 

  WORTH EVERY DOLLAR - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By GARY - January 27 - 6:10 am

  If you can afford it, buy it! This is the finest auto I have ever owned, and as long as I can buy one I will always purchase a Lexus. I have had 12 back operations and I need to have a very smooth riding car, this was by far the best of all, and I tried the entire top of the line. It is one of the things I look forward to every day, getting up in the morning and driving my Lexus. I told my wife not to be upset, but I was in love with another... my new 430. Enjoy, Gary.

• 

  Moved down from Expedition - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By dgb - January 26 - 7:06 am

  I bought my RX 400h after much research and thought. Lexus name plate puts some back (you bought a Lexus??) but the hybrid part really perks up ears. I even got a statement "you never seemed like the hybrid type!" Mileage is good, fun to watch the gauge, wish it had backup alarm, camera is good. Prev issues have been addressed: nav is outstanding (not grainy), SAT is now available, discrete word Hybrid on side says enough. Power is amazing when you need it. Friends all want a ride, never had that in any other car. Takes a bit of getting used to wind down at stops, and lack of motor noise at start up, but not a problem. A/C keeps going even with gas motor off. Great car.

• 

  GX470 Great SUV - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By ckcpa - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Had front end shimmy - dealer replaced two tires that solved problem. Fun and easy to drive. Very solid feel. High winds do catch it and can move it on the road at 65mph plus. Dont like the way the real door swings open.

• 

  Lexus Owners - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By bilfi - January 25 - 2:00 am

  The main things about this car are the good solid feel of it, the handling, ride comfort, etc. The color, alabaster, is trememdous in not needing washing often.

• 

  The Best Luxury Sedan PERIOD - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Dr. Quincy - January 24 - 10:00 am

  An outstanding value. Fit and finish are great. The car is so quiet you dont know the motor is on. I got the sport suspension to liven it up a tad. This is the car you need if you want the finest car made. It really is automotive perfection.

• 

  More Reliable than Mercedes - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By Dr JSG - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I traded a 2000 E430 that was a disaster. What I like about this car is that is drives comfortable. The ride is smooth and appears well made. it lacks pep. Another 50 hours would be nice. Transmission should be more smooth. Less roll on turns would be nice. The dealer is obsessed with outstanding service! The do things right!

• 

  Poor GPS - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By mhc - January 22 - 10:00 am

  I have owned several ES in the past, but this is the first with GPS. I agree it is not up to par with the competition and I have been test driving many vehicles over the past couple of months. The voice command response is terrible and not worth the effort. Blue tooth has been fine. Biggest complaint is that GPS does not allow even a passenger to enter info while the car is in motion. Very frustrating as voice commands for navigation are not worth the effort.

• 

  The perfect Mix - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By acumenhokie - January 22 - 8:00 am

  I bought my IS 300 in June and have been driving it as my daily driver for 7 months now. So far the car has lived up to or exceeded all of my expectations. Its not going to out perform some of the new sports cars (G35, 330, etc.) but the IS 300 has what a lot of those cars lack. The Lexus name. Not saying I drive a Lexus Im better than you but the Lexus name that says this car was quality built, reasonably priced and fun to drive. The 2JZ-GE engine is under powered compared to a lot of todays sports sedans but it is easily modified to be an unstoppable street machine. I highly recommend this car. You will not be disappointed.

• 

  sad - 2008 Lexus RX 400H
  By jfinley - January 21 - 6:16 pm

  It is unfortunate that the new Lexus gets nothing near the promised gas mileage. you will be lucky to get 17/22 with the hybrid. I wonder if the non-hybrid gets worse gas mileage? Also, the battery and engine make a lot of noise. The CVT is awkward at best, and not a luxury item. Kinda of like calling a dude ranch luxury hotel. It still a ranch and smells like a ranch no matter how nice the beds. I am not even going to mention my unhappiness with the lockout function on the nav and blue tooth. If I could do over, I would save 15 grand and buy the 350 or the Acura RDX. I feel like such a sucker for buying the "hybrid."