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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  From Jaguar to Lexus - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Barbara Rhea - November 11 - 8:50 pm

  I totaled my 2000 XK8 Jaguar in November. When looking for a new car, I looked at a number of luxury cars. When I found the ES 330, it was exactly what I wanted. I needed a 4 door, as I have grandchildren. I could not take them anywhere in the Jag. Now, being more practical, I can safely take my 3 grandkids to lunch and to the park. I am very impressed with the ES330.

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  6 months in, very happy - 2001 Lexus GS 300
  By mrljacobs - November 11 - 5:35 pm

  I purchased my GS300 with 92,000 miles on it 6 months ago. So far I am very happy. Car is very nice, has great features, and has been problem free. When I purchased there was some rattling coming from near the right front tire. Took to mechanic, replaced front strut mounts, and rattle was taken care of. Cost me $350, but now I enjoy a smooth quiet ride. Average 22mpg, and get much better on long freeway drives. Will upgrade to LS430 in a few years.

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  Lexus, please FIX drone noise and vibration issue! - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By viwami77 - November 11 - 2:04 pm

  GOOD: Sharp design and nice looking inside and out. Quality interior materials. No squeaking noises. Roomy interior, luxury feel. Good base stereo. BAD: Second year in production, and common issue with annoying drone noise + vibration still not fixed! Hard to believe!!! Transition is set for maximum mpg and hardly forcing higher gears / lower rpms causing drone noise and vibration coming from inadequately designed exhaust system while slow incline on higher gear/lower rpms. Dealer said: it is normal characteristic of the new RXs. 2016 and 2017 are affected, no fix until now (end of January 2018). Illogical entertainment system, very confusing to navigate, not intuitive at all. No manual on/off controls for AC. Slow throttle respond. Slow acceleration. Slow rear gate. Heavy doors. Voice recognition does not understand me most of the time. Too soft power-steering, feels like a driver has no 100% control. Too soft suspension (my is 2WD not F-Sport model) feels unstable in curves. Transition shifting is strange, sometimes is not sure what gear should choose. Definitely not what I expected form Lexus and 50,000.00. Our other cars: 2011 Outback 2.5 is quiet and smooth like years ago while dealer delivery, and absolutely outstanding 2017 F-Pace diesel - pleasure and fun to drive with no single issue. If you just need a machine to move you from point A to B, than RX is for you, but if you are "car person" and having enjoyment while driving....look elsewhere!

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  Not up to snuff - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By Martha - November 10 - 7:33 pm

  Looked at many SUVs including X5 & 3, Q7, Volvo, etc. and figured this would be the best bang for the buck - its a Lexus, its gotta be good, right? This model seems to have issues. There is a rattle that appeared right away that comes from the steering column (or dash, not sure), interior quality is not great, brakes are spongy, etc. The dealer recognizes that the rattle noise is strange but played it down saying until Lexus Corp. says otherwise, the party line is that "this is normal". The new engine for the 350 is noisy, sounds like a decent diesel engine but this is a gas engine! Im conflicted because I want to like it but at 800 miles Im already thinking about selling.

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  Not a car, but rather poorly integrated collection of features - 2014 Lexus ES 350
  By mentin - November 10 - 9:52 am

  My wife moved from Infiniti G20 to Lexus ES 350. While the new car is definitely an upgrade in some dimensions, where G20 from the very start felt like well designed car that does everything exactly as you want it to do, ES feels like a poorly integrated list of features - kind of the way (bad) software was done and advertised in nineties. Up to the point that when the rest of the car moved from daylight saving time, the navigation is still on summer time. There are tons of features in this car, but when you actually start to use them, you find out they are garbage.

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  Love for Life - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Philly LS - November 10 - 6:13 am

  I bought this used LS with Navi with 75,000 miles on it a year ago and now I have put 12,000 miles on it with no problems. The Navigation is very good the turning radius unbelievable. Drove from Phila to Raleigh NC with no problems. I will trade this for a newer model in a few years. I love this car over a 1997 740 I had and a 2000 S500.

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  First and last Lexus - 2014 Lexus CT 200H
  By Bonnie Zucker Rossi - November 9 - 9:48 pm

  I bought a brand new Lexus Ct200h in August of 2014. Loved the car till January when crackling and rattling was heard in the dashboard. Two months later and several visits to the dealership and was finally told that the rattling is a "normal characteristic" of the car. I have documentation that says that the cold weather is a cause for the sound. Am now in step one of Lexus arbitration process. Hoping for the best but not expecting it. Should anyone accept rattling in a brand new car especially a luxury car?

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  Stylish and smooth - 2017 Lexus NX 200t
  By SG - November 9 - 7:05 pm

  A good car for enjoying a quiet and smooth ride. It is sporty enough in terms of performance but not the best. The technology is not that great as voice commands do not work most of the time and speaker quality is not the best. I would have preferred a touch screen over a trackpad. I would reccomend this car to those who value comfort and quality over performance.

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  Amazing luxury for the fuel economy. - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By nareautogo - November 9 - 4:15 am

  Yes, 37,000 for a car that does not possibly "perform" like a luxury car sedan can be a bit strange. BUT, listen, youre just not going to get excellent fuel economy in a car that has a sportscar like drive. I guess the BMW 3series is the gold standard in this class for the car thats a fun driving experience and I guess it is. BUT, try driving in a "fun" way in that and appreciate your 20mpg and exhaust that is not as ecofriendly as it can be. This car is one of only about 14 to receive the EPA highest rating for environmental impact. Car drives pretty good, handling is great. Quiet drive, but does have some weird winding noise when breaking -- you get used to it.

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  Will Do It Again - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By Kirby - November 7 - 4:43 pm

  We have had this vehicle just over a month an a 1/2. Amazing! Never owned a Lexus, but have been a loyal Toyota owner for years. Love the all the features, quietness, drive, style, and comfort of what a luxury SUV should feel like. I recommend a test drive of this and the new brand is amazing as well.