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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  Purrfect - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By RobDee - April 19 - 5:16 pm

  This is the perfect SUV for those who want a true offroad (Outer Banks) and super comfortable ride for five passengers loaded with every option known to man. You will think you died and went to heaven. And it runs on REGULAR. Touareg came in second; more stylish and a drivers dream, but reliablity issues, size constraints in the back seat and storage, premium fuel, and poorer mileage .

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  Another Home Run - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By Mike Chadwick - April 19 - 7:30 am

  This is my second LS, the first was a 1995 LS 400, I ran it for 15 years. This car is very much the same, just much more advanced, smooth and powerful. Lexus is getting pricey is the only bad thing, but once youre used to this car no other even comes close. I tried to find a more economical replacement but there are none on the market. The German cars that are in the same league are unreliable and even more overpriced than this one, and because I keep my cars forever theyre not an option for me. If I leased it wouldnt matter, outside of how much time you care to waste in a car dealership.

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  Best SUV ever owned - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Ira G. - April 17 - 5:43 am

  The Lexus GX 470 is probably the most reliable, comfortable, and well designed SUV that I have ever owned. My previous cars were GMC Jimmy, Land Rover, Range Rover, and now GX 470! It is much better than the Range Rover in every way and I can lease 2 GXs for the cost of 1 Range Rover.

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  Great Car - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Doris - April 16 - 8:26 pm

  I read all reviews about this car prior to purchasing it. All of them are true. Despite its Camry look, the interior is superior and luxurious. It rides better than BMW 325. Most cars come with package 1 or 2. Go with package 2 (everything but the navigational system).I got mine at slightly below $31K (package 2). It worths every penny.

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  Drivers Seat is Fabulously Comfortable - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By John - April 16 - 3:36 pm

  I think kwahaus review is way off the mark. If you cant be comfortable in the Lexus 430 drivers seat you wont be comfortable in ANY car seat! The adjustment possibilities are endless. Those seats are absolutely perfect for me and for my passengers.

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  Why Lexus Is The Best - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Rick - April 16 - 2:26 pm

  This is my second Lexus. Have a 2003 Rx300. No one can build like Lexus. The GS 300 I purchased is a great vehicle. Looks (flint mica with black leather) are striking ... getting lots of compliments. Its ride and comfort are first class. Build quality is superior. At the end of the workday it is like my decompression chamber as I head home. Price vs. features is hard to beat.

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  Yes, its green... - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Marc - April 16 - 3:20 am

  The Lexus RX400h came with much hype and has lived up to all of it. Mileage in a 20 mile (one way) commute through some country roads and downtown driving has averaged 34 mpg without and 31 with air conditioning. Lest someone thinks the car is being towed, I can vouch for its passing ability on curving back roads (where legal, of course.) The battery - gas handoff is seamless in both directions, and the car is eerily quiet at low speeds. The ride is superb and its comfort for 4 to 5 people is exemplary. The NY Times panned the car, but Im still trying to figure out what the authors problem is - and its not the car!

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  Fun, Fun Fun! - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Loving It! - April 16 - 2:26 am

  The driving experience has been great. Handles all types of city driving and mountain roads with ease. Best car I’ve driven!

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  Love the 300h - 2015 Lexus NX 300h
  By mozy_n - April 15 - 9:16 pm

  I did not even want to test drive the 300h based on the review of it being sluggish. Im glad I did. I drove all 3 configurations of this car and like the handling and ride of the hybrid the best. I did and do NOT find it sluggish. It has much better accelleration than the Kia Sorento we traded in. Breaking is excellent also. Handling, comfort are all as you would expect from Lexus. This is our first Lexus and first hybrid. We get 35 mpg city and hwy. We have had it for 2 months. I really just wanted to comment on the accelleration and breaking as that comes up as a negative on some reviews. If you are looking at an NX I suggest you try the hybrid to see how you like it.

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  Great buy no regrets - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By wv - April 14 - 10:06 pm

  Bought our rx300 new in 2002 and loved it ever since. Absolutely no problems after 130k miles. Love to drive it, comfortable ride and extremely comfortable seats even after long trips. A definite Lexus/Toyota owner for life. Great job Lexus!!!