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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  pocket rocket - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By moy - January 27 - 10:00 am

  great fun. good looking. great technology on the retractable top. noise level in cabin could be quieter with improvements on wheel-roll noise. all in all a dream.

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  LOVE IT! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By H - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This suv is great! I have had numberous suvs. This only drives very nicely, has a great interior and is VERY quite. The automobile does NOT drive like a truck. Fuel is not bad, I fill my tank once a week. I drive a lot with two kids. There was difference in gas milage from my old mini van. The Lexus GX 470 is WONDERFUL!

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  Love my Lexus - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By abusymom - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The good use of interior space makes this car as big as my old Expedition was. It handles very nicely. None of the rattles and truck like ride I had with other SUVs is present in this car. It is missing power rear windows, and sometimes on left turns there is a bit of a blind spot. Overall, Id have to say I love the car - and I get 16 miles per gallon, which is not too bad for an SUV.

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  Difference from Camry and Accor - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Johnson88 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  When green light is on, it can pass Camry and Accord easily if you want. Internally it is hard to tell which luxury item is missing comparing with any luxury car (of course you must buy it with options as much as you can, otherwise go buy top Camry or Accord to save your money).

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  RX 330 - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Jorymj - January 27 - 10:00 am

  The RX 330 is fun to drive, very comfortable, and it drives like a car. The interior is beautiful, and the features are endless. The only complaints I have are; not having a chime when the fuel is low, and not having a coin holder accessible to the driver. The only problem has been the power lift gate motor. Lexus replaced immediately with no problems since. Maintainence is expensive, however the oil only needs to be changed every 5,000 miles. My next vehicle will most likely be the same, but newer.

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  All a Matter of Perspective - 2014 Lexus CT 200H
  By Anthony M. - January 27 - 9:48 am

  When car shopping there are 2 cars in a persons mind: The ideal car that appeals to their emotion while tugging heart strings, and the car thats the logical, practical choice. This car falls into the latter category, which is no bad thing. Compared to the MB CLA, BMW 320i, and Audi A3, the CT is hardly a standout. But rest assured itll far outlast any of those 3 in reliability and with lower maintenance costs to boot. Its interior is well laid out, and it possesses the greatest front seats in the business. The media system is simple to use (an easy thing to mess up in a car these days) and the premium audio system is pretty good for a non-branded setup. The Bluetooth streaming is very high quality too, while the interior materials are good for the category, with soft touch stuff where it counts. Its ride (I have the F-Sport with the firmer suspension) is a little harsh but never brittle. Its a controlled tightness that allows bumps into the cabin but takes the edge off each time. As an added plus, the CT can be had for thousands below sticker due to its lower demand, a benefit often overlooked in car reviews. If theres one big drawback to the car, its the speed, or lack there-of. This is a slow car, no two ways about it, and it doesnt want to be rushed. Thankfully, the engine is well isolated so you wont feel like youre in an economy car when entering the freeway. Luckily speed is the CTs only dynamic downfall. In the hills this little hatch can hold its own when the going gets twisty. Steering is numb but razor sharp and laser precise. The suspension has hardly any role either. The Sport Mode doesnt make the car any faster, but rather sharpens throttle response and weights up the steering for a sporty feel, useful for freeway or canyon use. Power issues aside, the CT never feels like a detached, isolation-pod hybrid whose only purpose is to suck the joy out of its owners in exchange for better savings at the pump. The CT200h is a solid car for anyone looking for solid entry-lux transport in the city. It lacks the pizzazz of its German brethren but is more practical and logical for long term ownership. As an added plus MPG does actually hover around its EPA ratings, and ginger driving will yield near a consistent 48 MPG (Ive never gone below 44 MPG myself).

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  Never a problem, luxury drive - 2006 Lexus RX 330
  By sscott - January 25 - 9:56 pm

  Everyone that drives my car says what a "nice ride" it is. I love its turning radius, comfort, features, visibility, styling, performance and most of all, reliability. I have had zero problems in 25 months of ownership.

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  Love My lexus - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Lisa - January 25 - 3:16 am

  I absolutely love my Lexus. There was some getting used to the car. Every car runs differently so you have to get the feel for it. But it runs great, even cold. It truly is a luxury car.

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  feels like flying a plane ! - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By tamiami - January 24 - 2:00 am

  This car is absolutely a dream ! Would never go back to a porshe after driving this !

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  The vehical I have always wanted - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By John I - January 23 - 10:28 pm

  I have had the RX 350 AWD for 4 months. I am not experiencing any of the vibration or noise that some reviewers are describing, to the point where I was shock reading those review. PERFORMANCE: I think this could be the smoothest car I have ever had, if I am being picky might be too bouncy over bumps. The shifting gears in the transmission is hardly noticeable and I have never found the 3.7 lt V6 is plenty powerful. COMFORT: I have owned Cadillac SRX, BMW X3 and Buick Enclave over the past 10 years. I think the comfort for the Cadillac and Lexus RX350 were the best in different way. The Cadillac has a the softness factor but the Lexus has a firm comfort. I like them both. The BMW X3 could have been the most uncomfortable car I have ever owned. INTERIOR: I love the two tone leather interior with the highlight of the brushed chrome accents. I seem to have more leg room than in the BMW X3. The backseat leg room is very good. I was actually embarrassed to have someone sit in the back seat of the Cadillac and BMW. I think they took some room from the cargo and gave it to the back seat because the cargo area is smaller than both of the BMW and Cadillac. In the Cadillac I had the panoramic moon roof, which was way cool, but I hardly used it. The standard moon roof is just over the front seat. I think the F sport model has the bigger moon roof. SAFETY: I am not a risk taking driver, so I might not be the best for evaluate this. However, the parking assistance package that I have really gives me confidence. I did test drive the Infinity Q50 and it had the 360 cameras. I thought this was a neat feature that is missing on the Lexus. TECHNOLOGY: I can’t imagine a vehicle having better tech features. The LCD screen is huge! I also have the LEXUS ENFORM and it is terrific. Real Time weather, Real Time Sports and Stocks! Need to know where the closest gas station is? Where the lowest prices? This car lets you do it. REALIBITY: I have had this car for 4 months and it has started every time. VALUE: Pricing is higher than the similar models for Lincoln or Cadillac but more affordable than the Porsche McCann, the Jaguar F-Pace, Land Rover. I think I got a good deal from the dealership that’s all I can ask for.