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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  Love My LS430 - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By JDR122 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  What a treat to drive - Supremely comfortable, absolutely smooth ride, listening to CDs even if I dont particularly want to because of the amazing sound quality. Ended up with the ultra-lux package, and my kids tell everyone at school about all of the cool rear seat features.

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  Dream Car - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By hjnicholas - February 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is unbelievable. The ride and luxury is better than BMW and Mercedes. Lexus has only been around since 1989 but has won more awards than its German competition and now I understand why.

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  Great SUV - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By smgebg - February 15 - 3:36 am

  I have have been extremely pleased with this SUV so far. Very comfortable interior design (still getting use to the mouse for navigation), excellent safety features, and the car just feels extremely well built and solid. Dont expect a BMW or Audi-like drive with sports suspension tuning etc., but it is quiet, sturdy, and nimble enough to handle most road situations. The first recommended scheduled maintenance has been changed to 5k (not 1k). I find the seats comfortable. At close to 2k miles so far and not one single problem.

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  Art on Wheels - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Dewey - February 15 - 2:23 am

  I love this vehicle. It fits like a designer suit and is lots of fun to drive. Many SUVs drive like a truck. Not the Lexus RX 330. Its all about comfort and luxury. When I see it from a distance I have to pinch myself to realize that I really do own this piece of art on wheels. The RX 330 is one of the most beautiful vehicles on the road. I think Im in love.

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  Art on Wheels - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Dewey - February 15 - 1:16 am

  I love this vehicle. It fits like a designer suit and is lots of fun to drive. Many SUVs drive like a truck. Not the Lexus RX 330. Its all about comfort and luxury. When I see it from a distance I have to pinch myself to realize that I really do own this piece of art on wheels. The RX 330 is one of the most beautiful vehicles on the road. I think Im in love.

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  Art on Wheels - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Dewey - February 14 - 11:20 pm

  I love this vehicle. It fits like a designer suit and is lots of fun to drive. Many SUVs drive like a truck. Not the Lexus RX330. Its all about comfort and luxury. When I see it from a distance I have to pinch myself to realize that I really do own this piece of art on wheels. The RX330 is one of the most beautiful vehicles on the road. I think Im in love.

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  New to us - 2008 Lexus RX 400H
  By John - February 14 - 2:00 pm

  We purchased a 2008 pre-owned certified 400H with 18,100 miles on it. It is pristine. Have driven it a week now and am getting 28.2 MPG around town and on the highway combined. Have had no problems. It is fun to drive and is very comfortable. I see some reviews stating poor mileage. Not here. If you want to drive it like a regular car, quick acceleration, high speeds, you will get the performance of a regular car. I had to learn to drive the hybrid properly and it is great. It has plenty of power, amazing actually. The only down side so far is the audio on AM stations. FM is excellent. AM sounds "tinny" though. So far, e love the car.

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  Very pleased - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By rookie - February 14 - 10:00 am

  After driving SUVs for the past 6 years it was a major change to get into a sedan,but could never have made the transition if not for the Lexus. Wonderful car that comes with extraordinary customer attention and care. Gas mileage is very good. Unfortunately it requires premium fuel.

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  Unmatched Quality - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Michael JC - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive tried the Beemers and the MBs and there is no luxury sedan built better or more luxuriously for the money than the LS430. Maintenance is virtually nil, unlike the German "uber autos." The MB has a ride nowhere near the comfort of the Lexus. This is my first LS 430 after owning two LS400s. I doubt Ill ever buy anything other than the big LS. Its the best car Ive ever owned and Ive owned 41 cars to date.

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  Safe, reliable, comfortable and looks good - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By frugalshopper - February 8 - 3:50 pm

  Bought as a commute car--most comfortable car I have ever ridden in. Looked at BMWs but reports of repair issues nixed that thought. So far, I have driven 48M trouble free miles, get good mileage on my commute--30 MPG on freeways and 26-28 on combination city/country roads. Love the navigation system.