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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  What a Fun SUV - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By harapa - January 18 - 10:00 am

  We couldnt be more impressed with this SUV. Looked at ML350, MDX, QX4, Pilot; none has a match with RX. We wanted a SUV but not a truck. This is it. Driving is smooth and full of fun and my wife loves it. What else you can ask......

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  more power& better option packages - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By BENNY G. - January 18 - 10:00 am

  this car is great you guys have done it again.

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  mixed bag - 2002 Lexus LX 470
  By lexinfo - January 17 - 11:16 pm

  Climate control and audio system are excellent. Driver seat feels hard and tends to push driver forward awkwardly. Stubborn starting problems. The starter feels too weak for the engine, and it is normal to have to try 2 or 3 times to get a start that keeps running. It is in the garage now and wont start, so when I have time I am planning to have it towed to the dealer in hopes that a new battery will solve the problem.

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  Excellent!! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Happy Camper - January 16 - 10:40 pm

  Extremely comfortable! Get 17-19 in town. 27-28 on highway. AMAZING marriage of mileage, performance, comfort, luxury, reliability, and ergonomics. All considered, very well worth the extra dollar or two, but dont confuse cost and value. This is an excellent, efficient, versatile, ultra-reliable vehicle!

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  AM RADIO PROBLEM - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By casperhrf - January 14 - 2:51 am

  Beautiful design, love it!, very nice ride, a little pricey but worthy, Only problem AM radio stations have static, took car to the dealer in West Kendall in Miami and was told they dont have a fix to the problem yet, Lexus is working on it, and that as soon as a fix is available they will contact me. Service and General Manager said this is a problem with the RX and the ES. Service dept tried to give me a closed ticket and I demanded that the problem of the radio needed to be clearly stated on the service ticket and it should be treated as an open ticket, they promise to follow up and contact me once a fix was available. I wrote to Lexus headquarter and stated the problem

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  Excellent car, but... - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Carl Glover - January 14 - 12:56 am

  Purchased used with 17k mi. Transmission hesitated some at first, but now resolved with use of premium gas and transmission apparently "learning" how I drive, as Lexus states. It is an exemplary automobile in every way, except for excessive road noise. This surprised me, as I expected a much quieter ride. It is especially annoying at highway speeds on the interstate. However, I am hoping it is due to the original equipment "summer tires," and will decrease to a more tolerable level when these are replaced by all-season radials.

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  The Lexus Myth - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By phil - January 13 - 2:10 pm

  The impulse acquisition of this Lexus from a good TV ad on the GPS (the Lexus came with it) was a poor decision on my part. I stepped down from Mecedes Benz and/ Seville quality. My "Lexus owning business associates" encouraged me to switch brands. "There dependable and never in the shop!" In the first year they replaced the front brake rotors two times. I kept remarking about the engine/transmission match up and the "hesitation on acceleration/pausing, but was assured that I had a great imagination. It was recalled by a Lexus letter at a later date. The backs of the leather front seats would depart when the electric seat adjustment were initiated.I am happy back in a Mercedes Benz.

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  The Best - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By JaRuG - January 13 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned and the first foriegn built. Ive had no mechanical or service issues of any kind. Inexpensive service for a luxury vehicle.

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  lexus - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By sherri - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Lexus provides the best SERVICE.

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  My four Lexus...Im a believer! - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Craig Clough - January 13 - 10:00 am

  I have three Lexus...I did have four. They are exceptional cars. You cant go wrong with a Lexus!