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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  You Wont Be Sorry!! - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By R Beetle - December 11 - 9:10 am

  Exceptional vehicle! Extremely comfortable, quiet and fun to drive. Handles and responds very well. Has a lot of the functionality of a truck, but drives like a car!! I love it!

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  Love this Lexus! - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Karen - December 11 - 6:13 am

  This is my 2nd Lexus RX300...traded the 1999 for this Certified Pre-owned-a little more expensive, but worth it! Great handling in poor weather conditions, comfortable ride, great cargo space. Newer RX 330 didnt have as much room width-wise. Rear passengers ride comfortably-even the long-legged teens. Great car for drivers education!

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  A change - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By dande246 - December 10 - 12:20 am

  We traded a Cadillac STS for the new GS300, and while we had some initial problem with warning lights on the dashboard, they took well care of us and corrected the problem and gave us a couple of freebees to offset the inconvience we were caused. We are very pleased with the vehilce and the service and attention and professionalism of all the people involved. While this is our first Lexus, our son has had several and still has one and his experience has been the same. We would sure consider another one in the future.

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  Another Great Lexus - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By mitch-B - December 9 - 3:20 pm

  Our 7th Lexus. I just got the car a week ago and Im getting about 25 mpg. Someone said that theyve seen returns of 26 mpg w/hard driving but Im not seeing that. Its louder (the acoustic glass helps only so much) but its a hoot to drive. CONS: Inability to navigate or dial the phone while on the move. Really, my passenger could perform these distracting tasks. Lexus should trust their consumers more. (ACURA does!) Also, the higher insurance costs will offset any gas mileage or resale benefit even for someone with an impecable insurance risk profile. FINALLY: This isnt a car for the altruistic its for those who want their cake and eat it and their neighbors too ;)

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  After 20000 miles - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Joseph R. Barrie - December 8 - 2:20 pm

  Very nice ride, both on winding roads and on the highway, both from the standpoint of the driver and the passengers. The trunk and interior room are fine, the acceleration is excellent and the appearance turns heads. The gas mileage is terrific

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  Couldnt be Happier - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By MobileDandA - December 8 - 10:16 am

  I purchased my RX300 as a certified pre-owned vehicle with 36000 miles on it from a Lexus dealer. Finally, after 245,000 miles, it had its FIRST breakdown. The transmission went out. So, instead of putting a lot of money into a vehicle with almost a quarter of a million miles on it, I purchased another 2002 RX300 exactly like the one I had except for the exterior color and it had about 190,000 fewer miles. Couldnt see buying anything else because you cant get the reliability and service you get from Lexus. I cant recommend this vehicle highly enough!

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  What are you idiot reviwers smoking? - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By KFranklin - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is easily the best automobile known to man.

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  lexus gx 470 - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By peterm - December 7 - 2:00 am

  This is an outstanding vehicle in almost every way. Not as pricey as the Lx 470 but every bit as good. I was looking for a V-8 with decent gas mileage and this is it. The ride is pure comfort and you get a host of luxury features. The interior is like a living room.

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  lexus 101 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By mattpeterson - December 7 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive good quality

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  Lexus RX 330 review - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Phil M - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Good purchasing experience, dealership loaned us a car when vehicle arrived one week late. Peppy engine nice. AWD plowed through recent snow with no problems. Interior dash good looking and easy to use. I expect this to be a relaible car for years to come. The 2004 price didnt budge much from 2003, yet the overall looks and improvements are substantial.