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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  satisfied - 1996 Lexus LS 400
  By lexus guy - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I traded a 98 Bonneville for a 96 Lexus and have been extremely satisfied with the trade. The car has a build quality beyond anything else I have ever owned. The ride quality is excellent and the overall build quality is outstanding. The sound system and interior comforts are first rate. I feel the used LS 400s are really a good value on the open market. I was a little concerned because there is not a Lexus dealership close by, but the cars are so dependable it doesnt really matter.

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  Great ride - 1999 Lexus LX 470
  By lexus guy - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Upgraded from a minivan and love the vehicle. Lexus is it as far as build quality and ride. A few minor problems but overall a really fabulous vehicle. Mine has nearly 80,000 miles and rides better than any other new SUV you can name.

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  Kevins review - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Kevin714 - May 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive only owned my LS for a few weeks but I cant find and problem, and I have looked! The ride is fantanstic! Smooth and comfortable. The interior is nicely done and the seats are comfortable even with long drives. The power and acceleration of the LS is surprisingly quick, and this comes from a sports car fan. In addition, the service I recieved from the dealership and my sales person was 2nd to none. All this, and I have found that the LS has the best "bang" for the "buck", when comparing similar cars in its class, such as the BMW, Mercedes, and Jaguar.

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  Best in Class - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By AJ S. - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle for about 6 months now, and enjoy it more than my 2002 BMW 530i. I have never experienced any problems with this car, and do not expect to. The quality, comfort level, silent drive, and sound system is the best when compared to a BMW, Lincoln, or Volvo. I will never step into a different dealership again. Test one out for yourself.

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  Thank God I didnt buy the Caddy - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By terpesman - May 24 - 2:00 am

  I stopped into a Lexus dealer while testing the V8 SRX and am I ever glad I did. While not as powerful as the Caddy, the RX is much superior in every other way. Although the Infinity FX45 would have been my first choice based on looks alone, the rear seat room of the RX sealed the deal. (the kids appreciate the extra room) Great job, Lexus!

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  Magic Carpet Ride - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By Tom Kinder - May 24 - 1:20 am

  Extreme comfort, reliability, and a smart layout internally. Reasonably quiet ride. Lexus separates you from the road so expect a different feel if youre previously a BMW or Audi owner. Gas mileage is better than I expected but its not about fuel efficiency if you buy a 460, its about the ride. I call it a "magic carpet ride". I am very pleased.

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  3 month review - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By TONY - May 23 - 8:53 am

  Purchased in Sept. My first Lexus and am still excited to drive it everyday. Very quiet and comfortable and it has plenty of gadgets. The sound system is unbelievably good. I am currently getting around 27 mpg, mostly highway. I havent had any problems or have had it serviced yet and so a good service visit will put it over the top.

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  Lexus SC430 - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By Dave7 - May 22 - 10:00 am

  Great car. Test drove BMW 330 convertible and Mercedes hardtop convertible. No comparison in the quality of the ride... the Lexus had them beat hands down.

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  LS 460L The Best Among the Best - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By Don from So. Calif. - May 21 - 4:43 pm

  A luxurious/top quality driving machine that surpasses Mercedes and BMW easily. I had a 2006 S500, and 2007 S550. They dont compare in quality to this car and the Lexus costs less! All the special features spoil you: easy to use navigation, park assist, superb ride, quietness inside, ability to change driving mode to either Normal/Comfort/Sport. Wow, that makes it so fun.

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  LOVE this car! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Pat Hale MD - May 20 - 8:06 am

  I have had several Lexus RX 300s and this hybrid is an improvement in every way... better mileage, comfortable, peppy, easy to use and lots of great extras...my favorites being the auto wipers and the backup camera!!! I love how quiet it is when it goes electric!