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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  great vehicle - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By jbc492 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  vehicle handle great over pacheco pass

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  First time Lexus buyer - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By Lexus GX470 - October 14 - 7:26 pm

  My other vehicle is a Ford Explorer. There is absolutely no comparison at any level. This is the smoothest riding, most comfortable vehicle Ive ever driven in and since its a Toyota, reliability is key. I will never own any else.

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  Why I like my Lexus - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Lexus - October 13 - 11:43 pm

  The car rides like a much larger car. The gas mileage I get around town 19 to 20 mpg, highway 30 to 32mpg with cruise.

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  My Wifes Car 2003 - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By rtherrie - October 13 - 2:00 am

  We leased this Lexus GS 300 and I found as many cars as I have bought for my wife I should have just got the best Lexus, I like the 2002 so much I gave it to my son and we Leased a 2003 they are a great Car.

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  EXCELLENT CAR!!!! - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By LexusLuv - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I got this Lexus, Coach Edition, as a first car with a little over 85k miles on it, and it drives like a dream! Its gorgeous, has an incredibly smooth ride for a 96, and the engine is sooo smooth and quiet that you sometimes forget the vehicle is on!! Acceleration is beautiful; no hesitating whatsoever. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone, its excellent!!

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  Pure Luxury - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By wolfpack - October 13 - 2:00 am

  We shopped for SUVs for over a year and the RX 300 is the best overall SUV for the money, bar none. It is the best looking and the most comfortable. We definitely love this SUV.

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  Just sheer fun - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By Ir - October 13 - 2:00 am

  The great spring summer and fall weather made this car just shee fun. Put down the top find, an open road, put in your favorite CD and GO.

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  beware of this car - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By DISAPPTED - October 13 - 2:00 am

  I thought that when I was buying a Lexus, I was getting a reliable and quality vehicle. So I was willing to pay the high price. But for over one year the car shutters at variuos speeds. The dealer admits the problem but say that they dont know how to fix it yet. At least they fixed the warped rotors.

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  Love this truck. - 2006 Lexus GX 470
  By Sami - October 12 - 1:10 pm

  We just traded in our 05 Escalade for the 06 GX 470. We love it. The truck is truly beautiful inside and out. Rides like a dream. We were very nervous about going smaller in truck size but this truck offers us everything that we need in a nice neat package. We orded this truck fully loaded and are thrilled with everything. As for the 3rd row seat they are tight but the truck is smaller so that is to be expected. They are there just in case.

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  2009 RX Is Better Than Ever! - 2009 Lexus RX 350
  By ethridgedsb - October 10 - 4:13 pm

  Great vehicle! This is the 3rd Lexus RX that I have owned and I have to say that they have gotten better with each one. I just traded my 99 RX 300 with over 135,000 miles in for an 09 RX 350 Pebble Beach Edition (Truffle Mica color) and this new RX is rock solid. My 04 RX 330 has a small rattle/creaking sound that occasionally appears but there are absolutely no rattles/creaks in this 09. As for the larger more powerful 3.5 liter engine... I love it. If you are considering a luxury SUV I definitely recommend the Lexus RX 350.