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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  Unhappy in the ATL - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Peter Billings - May 20 - 3:22 am

  I have owned a 2002 1st generation RX300. Bought it as a CPO and loved it. Smooth, tight, solid in everyway. It had good road feel. This new 2017 4th generation is none of those things. Even though my wife bought this car for the luxury and comfort of Lexus, it only partially delivers on that. The feel of the steering feels so disengaged from the road. My 2011 Genesis had complaints about its electric steering but it is orders of magnitude better. The 12" Navigation works but it is a mess. Steep learning curve and it is difficult to manage while driving. You really need to pull over or futz with it at stop lights. But the biggest issue is the lousy buzzing feel we get through the pedal and floor board of the driver. Mostly when the engine is under load. Lexus is being very cagy about this. Sometimes there is an admission of the problem, and other times, you get an answer of "this is normal". Its either an exhaust issue, tranny issue, or engine mount issue. This is at least the consensus on clublexus.com (be sure to read the over 60 page thread on this topic before you buy this car.) I wish I had.

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  Total dog - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By goldie20 - April 8 - 11:37 am

  This car has been a dog since the day I got it 8 years ago. From the beginning, the car refused to accelerate. "Give it time to learn your driving habits," the dealership told me. Right. It has made an awful, grating, metallic noise every 10 starts or so right from the beginning. Dealership has been unable to diagnose why. Finally, a brake sensor has broken 3 times at a cost to replace of $300 each time. This on a car with 40K miles. I make it my mission to make sure no one I know ever buys a Lexus. What a disgrace.

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  What a disappointment - 2010 Lexus ES 350
  By NK - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Since Aug 10 I have owned 2 ES350s. First one totaled in a flood after 3 weeks of purchase. Drove well. I was very happy. I replaced it with another one. The cabin shook violently since day one. I drove other demo ES350s. All had steering vibrations, one worse than the other. After taking the car back to the dealer 3 times, they finally found out that my brand new car had fix-a-flat in all 4 tires. With new tires steering doesnt shake, but the cabin still vibrates. All demos and loaners I drove have a cabin vibration at all speeds. Bad engineering flaw! I am extremely disappointed. Lexus was known to have the best drive!

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  Money is better spent elsewhere - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Angela Marshall - March 20 - 9:10 am

  I had been a Lexus-for-life customer until this purchase. There is a vibration in the vehicle that resonates in the passenger seat that I am told after three trips back to the dealership is coming from the transfer case and is characteristic of all GX 470s (we also own a 2004 Tahoe that has a better interior ride). I have owned two LX 470s prior to going to the GX and regret every penny spent. When I contacted Lexus corp they were simply complacent about my dissatisfaction, they thanked me for the call and, in essence, recommended that I shop at a different Lexus dealer next time. Recommendation: buy a different make, for the money there are a lot to choose from.

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  Wow. Run (dont walk) away from this car. - 2011 Lexus LS 460
  By doughroller - March 16 - 3:45 pm

  The NAV system is much worse than the 430. To push a button on the screen you have to press the screen and then release the finger press before the system acknowledges the button press. This effectively doubles the amount of time it takes to enter an address. There is a knocking sound that is an inherent design flaw. The sound is caused by the fuel pump. The dealer repair shop at first pretended they couldnt hear the sound. Then they admitted it was a design flaw they couldnt rectify. De-contenting is a term that means the manufacturer has removed features that used to be there. This model has been decontented from the prior 430 in many ways.

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  Quality is horrid - 2014 Lexus ES 350
  By snowman22 - March 9 - 10:05 am

  After taking my 2013 RX into the dealer for a NYS inspection I asked for a ES 350 as a loaner car for the day. No problem. As soon as I sat down I could tell that cheap was the order of the day with this interior. Cheap- cheap and more cheap. Also no room and hard un comfy seats. I mean hard and narrow and I m not that big. The ride was ok but not that firm quality experience one would expect from this car. My neighbors new IMPALA was fantastic in comparison. Lexus has really missed the beat with this ES 350. They should re-think this whole car. On the positive side--- my RX is the best ,high quality car I have ever owned. Nothing CHEAP--- high quality and beautiful interior.

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  Metal Found in Filter, Heads came off - 2012 Lexus RX 350
  By hwindish - January 14 - 9:09 pm

  At 5000 miles the Head Gaskets had to be replaced gave some lame reason blaming Canada for that no extended warranty offered just sorry. Lets see dealer did oil change at 10,000 I had it done at 15,000 and the mech showed me metal in the oil; filter. Since when are you ever suppose to have metal in the filter, NEVER. The dealer says sorry but factory rep says normal, not in my life time no customer support call the factory their answer since when do you buy a car from the factory. Lexus Carlsbad shame on you don,t buy.

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  Dont buy lexus - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By 777 - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I owned 2004 rx330 for 2 years now pies of crap! I had a BMW that I trade for Lexus and that was the biggest mistake in my life transmission is crap! Stereo system broke doesnt read cds getting error 3 and 4 when then something is knocking inside the dashboard pretty loud, behind the stereo you take your Lexus to the dealer services and tell them whats wrong they dont want to do anything just tells you that thats the way its should be but its really not! Never get Lexus again

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  HATE This Car - 2009 Lexus ES 350
  By Linda - December 22 - 2:43 am

  Am I the only person in the universe who bought a rattletrap? Have taken it back several times but still develops more rattles. I have an 8 year old RX that doesnt have one rattle. Very disappointed.

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  Problems, and More Problems - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By Suffering - December 20 - 8:33 pm

  The car has 2300 miles on it and needs a transmission repair. Many rattles and other strange noises. Hyundai quality maybe better. The car is not as quite as many reviews have stated. It is actually very noisy. This car at over $40k compares to a Chevy or Buick,not a real luxury car. Overpriced, and poorly built.