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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  Lexus-Air is the new way to fly - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By L-Air - March 25 - 6:50 pm

  After years of deciding on the BMW 5 series, it took me only a test drive for the new GS instead. These are many factors that made me change my mind. *Touch Screen (not many mid price range vehicle has this option without the NAVs, unless you want to pay for aftermarket) *Solid, fast, Quiet, smooth ride. *white reading spot lighting and body sensing dome lights. (This provide the feel of an aircraft on land. Try going high speeds through the deserts while reading the emergency evacuation pamphlet-if you can get your hands on one) Please read the reviews prior to purchase based on the "expert car critics point of view." You will love it! Lexus-Air is now boarding for departure!

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  Great car - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By gray fox - March 25 - 12:43 am

  If you can bond with the extra light front wheel drive steering you will love this car. It is quiet, powerful, smooth,and has comfortable seats both front and rear. The gauges are easy to read. We just returned from a 2400 mile trip and averaged 32.69 miles per gallon. The only problem is that the CD player is not working properly. While not a "drivers car", It is a great driving vehicle. I would highly recommend it.

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  alexnme - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By alexNme - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Beautiful Car, however I am very disappointed in the Quality of the car, I have had my car for about a 1 1/2 and the car has been in the shop 13 times. from recalls to cupped tires to break system, steering shaft. My rear view mirror fell down and it took Lexus 6 times to put it back right. The brakes have been replaced on my car 4 times and they are still grinding. I wont say that I will never buy another lexus but I will never buy a preowned car again from CARMAX. my impala that I still have, I love same features as my lexus no problems at all!

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  Roadside Assistance is not good - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By dave22750 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I have had Lexus vehicles for the last 10 years and dont have any complaints until now. The vehicles are great however the first time we have to use roadside assistance, it was a bust. We had to call roadside assistance a month ago because we had an accident that was not too serious but bad enough that the car could not be driven. Bottom line, 4 hours later they came to get the car. At our location, it should have only taken 1 1/2 hours at the most. It was not the fault of the wrecker company but a mix- up at roadside assistance that delayed the wrecker. We have had no resolution from Lexus at all on this. Pray that you dont need roadside assistance.

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  Awesome - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By kevins - March 20 - 12:56 pm

  This will be my 15th vehicle and as far as quality the best. The only downside coming out of a 7 Series BMW is the weight seems some what on the light side. Other than that this is truely an incredible machine.

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  Very Pleased - 2017 Lexus ES 350
  By Bob Chase - March 19 - 6:04 pm

  I purchased the Lexus ES-350 primarily for comfort. I got exactly what I hoped for. Further, designers provided unexpected features for convenience. My only suggestion would be to reengineer the climate controls. It is far too difficult to understand and execute the means for turning on and off the air conditioning.

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  A Feel Young Again Car - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Kevin Sabian - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I just got my SC430 about a month ago, and I look for excuses to leave the house and drive around. I get tons of looks, and it feels great to sit behind the wheel. Every thing about the car is pretty much perfect, and it is so smooth and quiet..thats why I would trade it for my wife in a minute!

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  Wow - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By wilkslaw - March 19 - 2:00 am

  only draw backs are the run flat tires I hated that they came as standard with the car. I had to replace with michelins at the cost of 1,200.00. Not fair!I got the car 10/2001 and there is no explaining the endless compliments and stares to date!

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  Loving my GX. - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Novaracer - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Very hi quality vehicle, very impressed with ride quality, also, I feel the power rating (HP)is kept purposely low, this rig performs!!

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  happy camper - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By izzwiz - March 19 - 2:00 am

  this is my first lexus; i am VERY impressed. the ride is very smooth and the seating is very comfortable. the exterior is beautiful too, although i feel the back headlights could have been more sexy-looking (think infiniti g35 sedan). my other choices were that infiniti as well as the new acura tl. i test-drove all three cars, and although they are all within the same price range, the others are not in the same league as this car. result: choosing this lexus was a rather easy choice. i went with the "black-garnet" color which is definitely a head-turner. the navigation system is not too user- friendly but worth the additional cost after you get used to it.