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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  the past in the present - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By MITCHELL ROWE - August 8 - 2:00 am

  the lx470 is a throwback in automotive times . from a real radio antenna to a muscle engine in peace + QUIET .

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  My Sixth SUV - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By Dr. Mike Schuerman - August 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my 6th SUV and the best thus far, including my 1999 Lincoln Navigator. There is little, if anything, that I do not like about this vehicle. Fun to drive and a pleasure to be in. The Lexus name tells it all, perfection, at its best. The price is alittle higher than most, but you get just what you pay for with this beauty.

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  WISH I HAD MY CORVETTE - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By TERPSMIAMI - August 8 - 2:00 am

  THE SC 430 IS A VERY SUBMISSIVE "SPORTS TOURING" AUTOMOBILE. I TRADED MY CORVETTE AND LEASED THIS CAR FOR MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER WHO IS NO LONGER WITH ME. (LESSON LEARNED) IF YOU WANT TO SPRUCE UP YOUR IMAGE GET THE SC 430. HOWEVER, IF YOU WANT TO "DRIVE" THE NEAREST THING TO A RACE CAR FOR AROUND $50,000, GET A VETTE. YOU WONT REGRET IT. THE NEW CORVETTES (C5 OR LATER) HAVE PERFORMANCE ONLY RIVALED BY CARS OVER $150,000. THE VETTE IS THE BEST SPORTS CAR VALUE AVAILABLE.

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  LOVE IT - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By WARREN - August 8 - 2:00 am

  GREAT LOOKING WITH THE TOP UP OR DOWN. VERY COMFORTABLE, QUICK AND EXTREMEMLY FAST RIDE.

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  Been driving once since June 2001 - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By stober - August 8 - 2:00 am

  An exceptional vehicle in all respects. It is almost three years old, and it still handles as if it just came off the assembly line.

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  Ill never buy another one - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By PARSON121 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1993 Buick Park Ave Ultra that was supercharged so I figured the hesitation and lack of power was because I was used to a different car. The braking is poor, brakes replaced at 14000 miles,car hesitates on acceleration(dealer did the computer fix yesterday)still the same,had loaner car 2004 ES330 -same problems,brakes, acceleration etc.

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  Best Luxury SUV EVER! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Desi Bandha - August 8 - 2:00 am

  For the price, this is an excellent value. Not sure, why anuyone would pay $20K more for the LX470. It beats competition, tough they may seam cheaper. When you add all the options on the others, this one is so much more worth it.

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  Lexus ES 330 - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Fred34 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Excellent handling and stylish appearance and design. Luxurious interior. Very smooth and comfortable. Well worth the price...a smaller LS is what it is.

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  2004 lx - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By tete - August 8 - 2:00 am

  smooth ride, good mileage, quality, excellent service.

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  It could be better - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By catbluesky - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I really like the look of this vehicle and the seats are comfortable, for front and back passengers. (I wish the back seats were heated, too!) The gas mileage isnt what I expected, and the ventilation system leaves lots to be desired - ie: better rear controls, weird working defrost, and intermittent odor with use of heat and defrost system. Not what I expected of such a high end vehicle - just goes to show me that a car/SUV, etc is a car/SUV, etc.