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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  Ultimate Luxury - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By astrotoy - May 10 - 1:53 am

  This is my 2nd LS. My 1991 LS 400 lasted 16 years/350K miles. My 460L Exec Class has 4 seats, including the recliner with ottoman and massage. It also came with the nav system, Mark Levinson sound, DVD drop down screen. My brother-in-law was in the recliner watching a movie through the wireless headset and getting a Shiatsu massage, said I needed to have a chauffeurs hat. Many more electronic controls than my old LS, but they are laid out in a simple way and pretty intuitive, though reading the encyclopedic manual is very useful. Wind noise issue seems solved for the later built cars (mine was built in 7/07), but test drive the car you are buying.

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  Best Car Ever - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Glen - May 8 - 3:03 am

  I bought this car (AWD version) just yesterday (12/06/05) and drove about 36 miles for the day. This is my 2nd Lexus. I previoulsy owned a GS400 and I have to say, this is the best car ever. The Nav and Mark Lev are awesome. I have all options. Sweet.

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  My Wifes Cloud - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By ms - May 7 - 2:30 am

  Last year I purchased this SUV for my wife. I must say Im sold on Lexus the car is wonderful to drive and the other day when I applied the ECT snow feature I was impressed with the active response. We are now a Lexus family, I will purchase either a LS 400 or SC 3 or 400 this spring.

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  Gotta Love It! - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By CDSouthard - May 7 - 2:00 am

  This is an automobile that is without flaw.

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  Awesome Vehicle! - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By dmizock - May 7 - 2:00 am

  What a way to travel! Cruising at 75mph is like sitting in your living room -- amazingly quiet. The Mark Levinson sound system is spectacular. The Navigation system is easy to use, accurate and fast.

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  Finally.. - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By PerfectLid - May 7 - 2:00 am

  It is the pinnacle we are all trying to reach, and Lexus has firmly taken you there with the SC430. A precisely built efficiently amusing and amazingly comfortable convertible that outclasses anything before or since. The seats provide the type of comfort you would only expect in a sedan and the leather is more luxurious than most Ferragamo supple coats. The steering is tight and responsive while the ride hugs the road but remains responsive. If it appeals to your visual senses, it will embrace your need for speed and exceed your demands for the utmost in luxury. Yes, Lexus, we have arrived.

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  Happy with my RX - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By ASINOW - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Good looking well built SUV. Very pleased

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  modifications ruin the car :/ - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By treek336 - May 6 - 10:11 pm

  i got the car 2 years ago, with no modifications on, so i start by the normal , stereo, speakers, but this last year i ruined the car, i install a amp 2 subs nd the consequences the battery is dead everytime i start it up, next i heated the springs to lower the car, yes the car is lower nd looks cool, but the problem is is unconformable to ride on, next on a drag race something happend to the engine, nd now the check engine light is on all the time, the car smokes from the exhaust a lot !

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  Great SUV - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Thomas E. Dahlberg - May 6 - 12:03 pm

  This vehicle is great. The handling, power and comfort are amazing. The engineers did their homework and anticpated needs I was unaware I had. I strongly recommend the Navagational/DVD options. My model has the Dynamic Kinetic System and drives backroads like it is on rails.

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  Fun and Green, Too - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Carol - May 5 - 4:13 pm

  This car has it all - incredible handling, luxurious appointments (there are literally no options on this model). The driving experience is flawless with excellent performance all around. If you want a hybrid that can match a BMW in response and feel, this is it. And getting 30 mph with super low emissions is the icing on the cake. Lexus has done everything right in this car. It is a pleasure to drive and own and Lexus customer service is truly an experience.