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:

• 

  Engineered to Perfection - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By reviewer from NY - March 1 - 5:53 pm

  This is my second GS 300 and Lexus has taken the best of the older generations and infused the latest technology into one great package. It offers much more equipment than comparably equipped BMW 5 series and the MB E class. Combined with Lexus reliability, the GS comes out superior in every way. The GS is the class leader because it is assembled in the best robotic assembly plant in the world (Tahara Japan, the same line as used for the LS 430). In this plant Lexus has achieved the highest level of automation in the build cycle, and the lowest defect rate as compared to any other auto manufacturer. BMW and Mercedes do not even come close.

• 

  wonderful - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Darianne - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Feels like butter! Handles well. Fun and easy to drive. Fast.

• 

  AWESOME ALL LUXRY SEDAN! - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By mrh30 - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Feel like being pampered? This is your car. It drives beautiflly, silently, and silky. The engine is Lexus smooth- nobody else, not even Mercedes, BMW, Auid, or Infiniti come close! The build quality is perfect! The doors slam with a vault like sound, SOUND SYSTEM! Out of the this world. Spend 1 week in it and youll wonder why you spend an extra 25k for an S500 or 745iL!

• 

  New RX performance edition - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Ewa - March 1 - 2:00 am

  Just perfect. Handling , acceleration, smooth ride even on Chicagoland road,milage from galon on highway with suspension on "low" position, clearence under with "high" position and fantastic cargo door open/close operation from inside, remote or button on door.

• 

  Great SUV - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By homersmama - March 1 - 2:00 am

  The most luxurious SUV I have driven/owned, and very safe to drive in the snow.

• 

  I Love Still Today - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Diane - March 1 - 1:03 am

  I test drove almost every suv out there. From the moment I drove the GX, I loved it. I now own it for six months. It is wonderful. I recently hit a deer. The car did not skid. It was solid and kept us safe. I love driving it. It feels dreamy to drive. Love the seats, interior, radio etc. This is my first Lexus. I also own a Mercedes C320.... would consider trading it in for a Lexus in the future. The Lexus people have great service.

• 

  Still going strong - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By Allan - February 29 - 5:36 am

  In past 18 months have put over 50k miles on car, now at 135k and going strong. Only normal maintenance, nothing more. Still rides, runs and stops as well as it did new. Ive heard about transmission probs, but none for me (hoping the towing package helps w/ that). Strong metal used, just picked up first door dings this year - and took a good wallop at that. I keep looking at new cars, but just cant justify it when this one runs so well and looks so good.

• 

  My first Lexus - 2013 Lexus ES 350
  By drao - February 29 - 12:10 am

  This is my first Lexus. I have an 08 Infiniti G37 coupe. I am very pleased with the car. It is quiet fun to drive especially on ling trips. The navigation electronics takes getting use to and its true either love it or hate it. We love it once learned how to use it. The dealer was more than helpful eith any questions we had. Since I am retired my wife and I drive rather than fly. We reciently drove from Houston Tx. to Boothbay Maine. The car was a pleasure to drive we averaged 28 MPG! I would definately recommend this car.

• 

  Love it !!! - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By koolcat - February 28 - 10:00 am

  The best car/SUV purchase we have ever made. Very happy with it so far. Drives well, smooth and good handling. For that price and a luxury SUV, could have many more features and less wind noise. Lacks power.

• 

  Feels so good - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Steve - February 26 - 1:53 pm

  I have had the 2006 GS 300 for about 2 months now. I was bouncing all over on what to get and what sold me on it was the luxury and fuel milage. I drive about 35 miles to work each day and average over 30mpg on the highway cruising at about 75mph. (One tankful, I got 33mpg on a trip.) Im getting about 24mpg in the city. All this with absolute quality and luxury that you get with Lexus. The performance is solid - its no rocket, but I didnt buy it for that. One of my friends just got a new BMW 525i at the same time and dollar for dollar he will even tell you I got the better value.