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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  Finest Luxury Car Made - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Lexus Cruiser - April 26 - 2:03 pm

  Have owned my LS 430 for about 6 months. This is the best car in the world. Super comfortable seats front/rear. Superb fit and finish. Quiet as a tomb. Killer Levinson stereo - best I have ever heard. Efficient motor can get almost 30 mpg on long trips. Navigation is easy, cant live without it now. Very quick off the line and can cruise over 100 mph silently. I go for rides just for fun/relaxation. Looks very classy too. Clients love it.

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  Amazing automobile - 2011 Lexus RX 350
  By dcmachead - April 25 - 11:22 pm

  The RX 350 is a very well thought out car and quality is evident throughout. The interior is sophisticated without "trying too hard". We got the AWD with navigation, comfort, premium, and tow prep package. The seat ventilation is wonderful in the summer time. Im also in love with the proximity key and the personalization settings of the vehicle. The navigation takes some getting used to, but the hard drive-based navigation is a lot snappier than portable units and DVD-based Nav Ive used on other vehicles. Passenger and driver comfort are amazing. Theres plenty of room for 5 people, though I miss the 3rd row seating of my Honda Pilot.

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  bang for buck - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By tony shaw - April 25 - 10:00 am

  after owning all types of autos i find the 430 to be the most complete vehicle i have ever driven.

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  LEXUS MAKES THE BEST CARS - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By LS4 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  There is nothing better than to own Lexus. The car combines all the best qualities of luxury, performance and reliability.

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  Great buy - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By NickD - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Great buy, with recent incentives.

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  Loving it in LA - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Ian in LA - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Just bought this car after test driving several luxury SUVs. We have an ML500 that my wife "used" to love to drive. I bought this vehicle for me but have only driven it once in more than one week. My wife just would not let go. This car comes fully loaded at less price than a comparable ML500.

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  Big Improvement over RX300 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By lawprofs - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I never liked the RX300. It seemed a bit wimpy and handled very poorly. The 330 is a different vehicle. Better looking, more horsepower, better handling. Went to the dealership to look at a GS 470, but liked the RX better.

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  Takes a licking and keeps ticking - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By John - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Very are money nice and reliable car other the oil changes, replace brake calipers at 180K. Hit two deer in six months rebuilt just like new, mine has every option available, and everything works just fine, will drive it till the wheels fall off, i figure about 500k miles or more, Mercedes E class move over theres a new kid in town.

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  Lexus SC430 Review - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Elaine the one - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Repeat Lexus SC customer--Also owns SC400. Excellent car in town--month ago took vehicle on 1500 mile(one way) trip. Nothing on road could perform with it. Rate SC430 10 for comfort but just a little short of my SC400. If only Lexus could place performance of 430 in body of SC400 size vehicle.

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  Wonderful! - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By LexusMan@Aol.com - April 17 - 4:10 pm

  I test drove the Infiniti Q45, the Lincoln Towncar, the Toyota Avalon, and the Lexus LS 430. The Avalon was too small, the Towncar handled badly, and the Q45 was nice but I got a better deal on the Lexus Ls430. This car handles very well ( Not as well as the Avalon or Q45.) This car has the smoothiest ride ever and has a wonderful stero syestem.