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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  2001 ES - great ride - 2001 Lexus ES 300
  By InHisname - January 21 - 6:03 pm

  I bought this car in 2001 with 13,000 miles on it. Someone traded it in to get a new car. I now have 148,000 and it shows no signs of slowing down. The oil is changed every 5000 miles and service is done as suggested. The car is a luxurious, reliable, smooth ride. It has all the features including moonroof. No real mechanical problems. The car handles beautifully. If I had one minor complaint it would be the turning radius. My wifes car seems to get better. That is almost not worth mentioning. I will buy another Lexus due to the quality and luxury ride they produce.

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  rating - 2000 Lexus LS 400
  By nickir777 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Best car ever owned

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  Automotive Excellence - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Farls - January 21 - 10:00 am

  The title says it all. After driving big Buicks for years, 11 years ago I acquired my first Lexus, the GS 300. I thought that was an outstanding car again in 1998 and 2001. Then I drove the 2004 LS 430. What a car!

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  LEXUS LS430 - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Johnny Lexi - January 21 - 10:00 am

  The Lexus LS430 is the best vehicle I have ever driven, and I have driven them all!!! From Prancing Horses to the big Z (Zonda). The LS430 is not the fastest or the quickest or the most frugal on gas consumption, but when you analyze all the pros and cons it is the best - without a doubt.

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  Maybe good/Maybe not. - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By PaPa - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Dissappointed. This is third lexus I have owned. There is an old saying, Dont buy a first year car.I didnt think this would apply to a Lexus,But it does.I have had many problems so far. I should have waited.

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  Executive Mid-Life Crisis - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By subsailor74 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  A pure pleasure to drive - no down sides to this vehicle to date. I do not know how I survived I the past without the navigation system. I find that I miss my car now when I go on business travel!

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  Like A Fine Swiss Watch - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By zed-er - January 21 - 2:03 am

  I bought the car brand new. It was one of the first available in Southern California. The car now has about 202,000 miles on it, with regular service by the local dealership. The car has never had a single costly repair. There are no squeaks or rattles. Even with such high mileage, I wouldnt hesitate to jump in the car and drive cross country right now. This is truly a worry free car. Ive owned cars from Porsche, Mercedes Benz, Jaguar, Saab, Ford, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Toyota, VW and Honda. This Lexus has been the best car Ive EVER owned, bar none. Like a fine Swiss watch, it runs forever. And Lexus provides the best car buying experience anywhere in this galaxy.

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  lexus GX 460 - 2013 Lexus GX 460
  By ron2004 - January 20 - 4:30 pm

  Fuel comsumption should be better since the LS models gets a Hwy. average of 25mpg. The rear door should open up and not to the side since all of Toyotas SuvS open up, which is not only safer,but also keep the rain off when loading. Leg room in 2nd row could be better.

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  A timeless beauty! Lexus 430 - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By psitzmary - January 20 - 2:56 am

  A dream come true! A car that is worth 65k for 33k! Looks great and rides like whipped butter. Its a 2002 & the only difference between the later models are the mileage, price, voice activated nav and the bluetooth. Save yourself thousands, get an early model with low mileage. Get a good earpiece for your cell phone & save. Its the same car though 2002 was the best one, research it! Though I must be practical and balance mileage and gas because of high gas prices for premium, its totally worth it! When gas is high, ride around town! When gas is lowered, hit the road! You will look good and feel great doing it! I LOVE my Lexus 430!

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  Very disappointing - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By ttt - January 19 - 6:36 pm

  Very smooth and comfortable ride, but overall very bland. The experience is ruined by a hopeless navigation system that falls way short of Garmin or even mapquest. The dealer has looked it over many times and confirmed "it is what it is". It only seems to want to calculate straight line routes, even if highways are much quicker. The iPod connector is also buried in the center console - which is a really awkward design anyway. A lot of the components and switches have the same look and feel as a Toyota Prius. I wish I had gone for the BMW instead.