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:

• 

  Could be a bit faster, but I love mine - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By TerenceL - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Cheaper than the 330i, more fun to drive than most smaller sedans, but can also be used to drive clients or parents around (unlike say the Impreza WRX). I love mine. I was also considering the G35, but the reliability differences between Toyota and Nissan put my money on the Lexus.

• 

  millies ride - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By e caparro - November 25 - 8:46 pm

  This is my first luxury vehicle plus first Toyota product. The car feels like a high quality piece of equipment. The performance is somewhat modest, however it does have a good bit of low-end torque. Handling is only fair, but then again its a luxury car. The cabin is vey quiet. Visibility while inside the car could be better.

• 

  lx 330 for the wife - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By boofy9 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Wife had an ls400 and wanted to sit higher and drive a smaller vehicle. cannot beat dealer service and sales experience. rented an fx 35 for two weeks prior to buying the rx330. husband loved the looks and performance of the infinity, but wife liked lexus comfort and cushy ride. rx330 performance adequate for a wife driver.

• 

  Option detail lags competition. - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Jerry - November 12 - 10:13 pm

  Purchased 2005 GX470 after test driving MDX, Navigator, Aviator, Denali, BMW SUV. GX does have an excellent ride BUT Lexus needs to pay more attention to option detail. Lexus NAV system ranks far behind Acura and Mercedes (I own both). Mark Levinson sound system is average, at best. Also ranks behind Acura and Mercedes. Bluetooth phone capability is a joke. Just found out that you cant get a Verizon phone to work with the system. Voice activated NAV and audio is useless. This is a $50,000+ luxury vehicle that should NOT have these issues. Lexus needs to take a look at what Acura (my daughters TSX) and Mercedes (my wifes E320) have accomplished and learn from them. Thinking of trading in.

• 

  Not Wowd - 2006 Lexus RX 330
  By Gary P - November 12 - 3:23 pm

  This vehicle has been a bit disappointing. I have only owned it for a month but already there are annoying rattles and a tremendous amount of road noise when you are on the highway. The interior is nicely designed and I expect reliability to be very good.

• 

  almost a happy owner - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By alK - November 11 - 10:00 am

  EXCELLENT VEHICLE. HANDLING IS GOOD.

• 

  Very satisfied after 10 months - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Bob Jones - November 10 - 3:00 am

  I have been very satisfied with the Lexus ES 350 I have been driving for the last 10 months. I live in the coastal plain of North Carolina and drive 90% of the time on flatland. If I drove in an area with hills or mountains I dont think I would be as satisfied with the ES 350 driving experience because the transmission seems to get "confused" in hilly terrain. But, I have been very satisfied overall with the ES 350.

• 

  Unimpressive mileage - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By EJ - November 4 - 9:43 am

  Moving from my third LX 470 Lexus to the Hybrid RX400h took a bit of adjustment. This hybrid has an impressive pick up, very quiet ride and quieter when idling (had to honk to people in front several times). Mileage is not as good as claimed, under average driving conditions in the city 22 mpg, highway around 21 mpg. A little pricey but so is everything with a LEXUS logo. Comes with almost every option except three that you can order as extras. Surprisingly satellite radio is not one of them, I had to get it installed professionally off lexus and it worked out great!!.

• 

  Love-Hate Relationship with my RX 330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By T N Tracy - November 3 - 6:06 pm

  On the highway, the RX 330 drives like a dream, but in-town driving is a different story. The transmission is terrible when shifting from first to second gear; too much hesitation. The headlights have a blind spot in curves. I expected more at this price point.

• 

  Satellite Radio Problems - 2015 Lexus RX 350
  By pc914 - October 26 - 11:07 am

  Disappointed. I bought a 2015 Lexus RX350 this June (replacing my 2010 RX350), immediately noticed that reception of the satellite radio is constantly being interrupted. I have had Sirius Radio for 10 years now; I am driving down the same streets and have never before had any service interruptions. Lexus has told me they cannot do anything about it. Local dealer has told me it is a problem with all 2014 & 2015s.Truly affects the enjoyment of my driving experience.