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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  Upgraded from Camry & Lovin Lexus - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By whoohah5 - April 16 - 12:33 pm

  Owned a sporty Honda with a lot of zip. Also have a Corvette, but nothing compares to the ride and feel of the Lexus. We bought a Camry and sold it to a family member after they totaled their car. We wanted a comfortable ride and family car. Our 2004 Lexus is a luxurious treat and we love it. Ill drive the wheels off this car.

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  Nice car - 2014 Lexus ES 350
  By Tammy Harrington - April 16 - 7:31 am

  Its a very nice car, I definitely recommend it.

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  Must-buy - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By BRF - April 14 - 7:30 pm

  I did my homework before purchasing an SUV. I drove the VW Touareg, the Infiniti FX35/45, the Volvo XC90, the BMW X3, and the Mercedes ML350. I ended up buying the Lexus RX 330 and I couldnt be happier. The drive is incredibly smooth, the interior is perfectly equipped without having too much clutter, and the price is incredible. I cant recommend this car more. Its versatile, roomy, and impressive to drive.

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  Road trip - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By KJsIS - April 14 - 10:00 am

  I took a road trip from Texas to NY and back about 3 weeks after buying this Sportcross. I found that I had to use cruise control on long drives, otherwise the seat would become very uncomfortable for my gas pedal leg. Ive taken this trip before in a GTI VR6 and didnt experience any discomfort. Of course, this problem wouldnt be noticed during day to day driving, only on 600+ mile cruises. Besides that, the paint chipped much more than I expected for a premium car (GTI fared better). Other than those issues, Ive truly enjoyed the 2 months with this car.

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  Disappointed - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By Pathdoc - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Great handling. Needs more power. Disappointed by clunking noise when shifting 5 speed (District Operations Manager finally admitted a design flaw in dual plate flywheel) Quirky auto climate control searches for right cabin temp. Dealer service arrogant and indifferent. Not what I expect from Lexus! Now have a dashboard rattle

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  Who needs a BMW!! - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By TONYflhrci - April 14 - 10:00 am

  The car is too small for my 65" figure, but my wife loves the car, its a very sound car for its small size...smooth quiet, no defects at all since new..happy campers!!

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  Lexus RX 330 - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By arin mcclune - April 11 - 3:40 am

  Toyota/Lexus makes the best vehicles ever. The performance, reliability and service are in a class that no other auto maker can possibly compete with. I have an RX 330 that has 35,000 miles on it that still performs like its brand new. I purchased a new Toyota Land Cruiser in 02 that presently has 150,000 miles on it and also feels like it is still new. I have never held on to a car that has mileage past 100,000. I will never purchase any other brand!!

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  MY RX 350 2 CENT - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By Adewale Olusesi - April 10 - 8:06 am

  I ma not sure about the fuel consumption...

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  Love this car so much, A++++++++++++++++ - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By Andriew - April 8 - 10:00 am

  Great handling and performance. A++++ graded enginering, build quality, reliability and fun to drive.

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  My SC 430 - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By Gary Goltz - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This is my 4th Lexus and the most fun one Ive owned. I have a LX 470 and had a GS 400 and a LS 400 so I know the cars well. This one is fast, sporty, and quiet. It is a 2 seater. Forget about using the back seat for anything but storage or midgets!