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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  Exceptional - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Abba180 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my already perfect Lexus LS400. The car drive is the same legendary lexus drive. With the added air suspension, you can change the car to a more sporty BMW feel with the flick of a button.

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  wont tolerate bumps - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By daubach - May 13 - 10:00 am

  where I live, roads are bad, ive bent 1 rim from a pothole, wheels wear out very quickly, car dynamics are excellent

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  IS 300 - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By ISC - May 13 - 10:00 am

  not for grown adults, too tight in the back, small trunk space is very inconvenient

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  IS 300 - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By rijofla - May 13 - 10:00 am

  reliability is a plus, i am not too much sold on the looks but it is alright

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  IS 300 - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By emanski - May 13 - 10:00 am

  what would you say to a 30k car that needs a manual prop for the hood and drives like a honda?

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  IS - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By stacio - May 13 - 10:00 am

  for those that like tacky sporty looks will definitely find this ride very appealing and nice

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  sporty machine - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By scav_555 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  very sporty but not luxurious can do with more elegance and class, like BMWs and Audis and Benzs

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  nice car - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By Prefect - May 13 - 10:00 am

  good pick up, tight interior, immature design, good handling, more horse power would be nice too!

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  Civic IS - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By Kasugai - May 13 - 10:00 am

  my car looks like all the Hondas with altezza tail lamps, I dont feel special any more damn

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  my IS - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By BikesEtc - May 13 - 10:00 am

  disappointing...the looks of the car grew real tired in a matter of months, shouldve gotten the Xterra