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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  Best Luxury Today - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By meekey - April 29 - 10:00 am

  The Lexus LS 430 is hands down the greatest luxury sedan of the year. It surpasses BMW and Mercedes by a huge margin. The interior ergonomics are simple to operate and the enigne rides like silk, even though you can never hear the engine or feel its accleration. The Lexus LS 430 is such a great car. If you are looking for quality, style, comfort, and an overall great car, the Lexus LS 430 is the car for you!

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  ES2010: Very good so far - 2010 Lexus ES 350
  By KN - April 29 - 6:33 am

  After I owned the vehicle for 5 months, it has 24.5 miles/gl for both city and highway which is very good for 270+hp vehicle. I dont know why people complained about it. I bought this vehicle for #1 safety priority. I hate when drivers follow me too closely when I drove Honda. Now, I can see people keep some distance behind me. I hope the Lexus symbol gives them a second thoughts. My 3 yrs daughter walks freely in the back compare to IS too tight. I gave up fun to drive for safety vehicle. I guess I am too young to drive this vehicle.

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  Love this ride - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Sam - April 28 - 8:53 am

  My lease came due on my BMW and I shopped for about 2 months and test drove a ton of vehicles. I fell in love with the GS. It is no BMW in regards to driving capabilities but I am not into driving this car like I am at Daytona. The ride is great. The car sticks to the ground. Steering and handling is superb. The Mark Levinson sound is awesome and I am a huge audiophile. Its the best that I have heard. Reliability is great. Overall I am thoroughly impressed by this vehicle. Coming from owning BMWs, I am very happy with my decision.

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  The best car in Lexus and all others - 1998 Lexus LS 400
  By Allen - April 28 - 12:46 am

  I bought the 98 LS 400 from Toyota at 110K for $11K in 2007. Tried many cars including MB and other Lexus. I would say this is a car beyond belief, 10 fold better I mean. Even compare to brand new RX, it still is on different level. I plan to buy another soon. No matter how you compare, comfort, quality and reliability, it all scores top of all cars. This cars body integrity is so good, you simply feel solid and can drive confidently.

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  Best car ever owned - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By alpollack2 - April 27 - 10:00 am

  Smooth ride, easy to handle especially at higher speeds. Envy of everyone. Top mechanism allows retraction in 25 seconds..quick enough to retract at redlights. Very fine car..will buy another in 2 years.

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  SC430 - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By aquaregia2001 - April 27 - 10:00 am

  this is my 6th lexus. its reliable, smooth, and a real head turner. fun to drive, fast, and safe. the top is convenient and looks as good down, as it does up.

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  07 ES 350 - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By childri - April 26 - 7:06 pm

  I traded in an SC430 for this as I needed a family car. I have been very happy with the ride, comfort, and power of the car.

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  What an awesome car - 2007 Lexus GS 450h
  By supercooper - April 26 - 3:06 am

  I just drove my car home last night and still have to set up all the bells and whistles, but what a lot of fun just driving has been for 24 hrs. This car is smoking fast and the power is so smooth and linear - it just keeps pulling until you are well over 100.

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  A New Breed of Lexus ES - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Rob E. - April 26 - 2:20 am

  Ive owned many cars from all the German & Japanese manufacturers. I fully appreciate performance and luxury in a vehicle. For this purchase, I was in search of the best combination. The other cars on my list were the Acura RL & Infiniti M35. You might think that the ES doesnt belong in the same class with the others & it doesnt... for performance. With the ES Ultra-Luxury package its close to the same price class. The ES offers the best overall combination of comfort, technology, simplicity, luxury & MPG. In short, its a better value than both the others. It will not handle to the RL or M35 standards, but try it. Its a new breed of ES that is sure to please.

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  Its it and thats that! - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Laurie H. - April 25 - 12:00 am

  I set out to buy a Jaguar, then checked the BMW 530i, and out of curiosity, checked the new GS 300 (just to be sure). The interior is magnificent, full of tremendously useful features within a luxurious cabin. The exterior is sleek and refined. But I have to say this car is confused -- it doesnt know if its a sports car or a luxury sedan -- it does BOTH beautifully! Its tight and agile on corners, accelerates with authority, but is as quiet as a library. I chose the AWD due to the possibility of having to move back to snow territory -- I know itll be perfect! Before you buy any other car, take this baby for a ride!