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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  What a car! - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By Michael Corbett - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Traded my 96 LS 400 for the 99. I thought the 96 was the finest of the 40 cars Ive bought in my lifetime. I was wrong. The 99 LS 400 tops anything Ive driven, and Ive many cars. The big changes in engine, suspension, etc. that took place in 98 through the 2000 model year were very obvious when I drove the 99. I was hooked on that drive and Im still hooked. I really think this is the finest overall production sedan built, period.

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  ls 430 - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By abassi - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I had an LS400 back in 1994 and was very happy with it but after about 100k miles I drove a 1997 Mercedes S420 and I liked it and bought it drove that for about 40k miles and trouble began after all it was a mercedes and not a lexus traded it for another lexus and have driven nothing but lexus ever since and now I own 2 Lexus vehicles and I love my new LS430 it is quieter and has a softer ride and the best navigation in the market due to it being touch screen.

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  not a real suv - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By no off road vehicle - August 21 - 10:00 am

  Not a real off road SUV,not enough power .If you like a sedan , this would be a good one.

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  Excellent - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By Marci Cuccio - August 21 - 10:00 am

  I have just recently purchased a Lexus ES 300 and am thrilled with it.. I love everything, the way the car handles and drives. I really like the new body style too....

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  Looks arent everything - 2007 Lexus SC 430
  By GeorgiaGirl - August 21 - 7:26 am

  I had recently bought the Lexus SC430 and I truly hate this car. I have the rare pebble beach edition too. The first problem was that my left headlamp fell off while I was driving on the highway. Lexus said that it was due to driver neglegance. Then my power top got stuck halfway closed they did replace it. Then my alternator went bad Ive been through six already. Then three days ago my brakes let go coming up my driveway. The car is nice looking yes but its very unrealiable. Then my whole instrument panel stopped working. That cost me $1,100 dollars because it wasnt covered. I also have a Cadillac STS-V and that gets better mpg than the Lexus. Im trading this in for a most likely a Cadillac.

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  Disappointed - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By MissPissed - August 20 - 9:40 am

  Steering is too sensitive, although it turns extremely well. Does not handle well in high wind. After owning the Chrysler 300C, the Lexus ES330 was a disappointment. Gets pretty good gas mileage, but you have to use premium fuel (Edmunds reports regular fuel -- not true, and the dealer didnt tell us about the fuel until we were ready to leave with the car! (Lesson learned: Buyer Beware!) Navigation system is too complicated and inaccurate, which doesnt help when youre in the middle of heavy, high-speed traffic and need it the most! Sound system could be improved with better quality speakers or more of them.

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  Best Used Car Purchase EVER! - 1998 Lexus LS 400
  By jt821 - August 19 - 10:05 pm

  I bought the car three years ago w/ 80k. I now have a bit over 140. Absolutely no problems whatsoever. I did the 90k maintenance which was about $1000, but was very extensive. The car is comfortable, quick, and surprisingly economical. Every once in a while I get the itch to buy a new car, but think what could I replace this with that would come close. The answer is nothing. I have two other Lexuss that I bought used, a 92 SC300, and a 95 ES 300 and have been just as fortunate with those. My daughter now has the ES at college with 260k, and my SC is my weekend car with 180k.

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  MPG Not What it should be - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By crw - August 18 - 12:50 pm

  I love this car. It is a great size, comfort and fit. It drives tight and I feel safe in all driving conditions BUT the gas milage is not where it should be. On medium length drives (15-25 miles) in slowish city traffic I get the best mpg but that tops out at 28 mpg when I use a middle grade gas, its around 24 when I use a low octane gas. It has a big engine and can move quickly when it needs to but it does not get the 30-35 mpg it promised. All in all Ill keep it untill the gas mileage, comfort and quality of another car can beat it.

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  Lucky to be alive - 2009 Lexus ES 350
  By Lucky - August 15 - 10:30 am

  My husband and I had matching ES 350s. My 2 boys and I were traveling in Washington DC one evening and were T-Boned by a guy going about 50 mph who ran a stop light. My ES 350 saved all 3 of us, it was amazing how the car took over, spun around and landed perfectly between the lines of the road and disengaged itself. The car was totaled but we all walked away. The police officer said we would have had a fatality if not for the safety of that car.

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  IS 300 PERFORMS - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By rebelrichey - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Handles exceptionally well - low and tight to the ground. This car is not lacking any power. It is sleek, comfortable and overall - attractive on the road. If comparing a BMW 3 series, Jag X-Type or MBZ - you may want to test IS 300 Lexus. You will find it out performs and has a stronger maintenance record!