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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  Love, love - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By carrie - October 19 - 7:50 pm

  Have really enjoyed my GS 300. smooth, quiet,comfortable and beautiful. Have been stopped in store parking lots and asked all about my vehicle. I love the sportier look also. The only negative items I can mention are the truck configurations and that the owners manual does not fit in the glove compartment (for petes sake). The lip spoiler also makes the vehicle look even prettier.

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  Cant Beat a Lexus - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Doug - October 17 - 8:36 am

  I am a car nut and really critical of everything I drive and I have had most every car on the market. I bought this GX with 94K, it now has 125K. I cannot believe this vehicle was any smoother or ran any better when new. Awesome vehicle! Not one problem of any kind.

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  Pretty good, but... - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Picky in PA - October 17 - 5:43 am

  Car looks great, is quiet and comfortable, with many nice touches. Initial build quality was not up to Lexus standards - multiple trips to dealer to address creaks and rattles, especially in and around dashboard. Center console is uncomfortable (padding on top is too thin), and it is frustrating that the nav is largely inoperable when moving (especially as the voice recognition is flakey). Also, the standard audio is barely adequate, especially regarding bass output. All that being said, this is still the best car that I could find in its price range, given its variety of features & functions, and its quietness, comfort & power.

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  2014 ES350 disappointing on the Inside - 2014 Lexus ES 350
  By btiger14 - October 16 - 2:20 pm

  This is our third ES350. Disappointed in what Lexus did to save a few bucks. For example the CD Changer is gone, replaced by single disc; the holder for sunglasses above the console - gone; the various console cubbies for storage - gone; lighting above each rear seat on each side - gone. Ash tray and lighter (plug) gone - lost that plug. Front seats are narrower. The car just feels tighter on the inside. With the lighting changes and the deletion of the CD Changer Lexus has cheapened the interior. The trunk is not as easy to get stuff into because it is a deeper access. Cargo net is installed with bolts - makes it hard to get to the spare. Shd have just bought out the 2011 lease.

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  Hard to beat - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By lou - October 14 - 1:26 pm

  This vehicle is probably the best I have ever owned and Im 80 yrs old and over this many years Ive owned a few! Its been a while since Ive liked a car well enough to just sit in it in my garage! Buy it youll love it !!!

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  2011 LS 460 AWD - 2011 Lexus LS 460
  By rl007 - October 14 - 4:55 am

  Previous Mercedes owner....now have 2010 RX 350 and 2010 GX 460 and just got 2011 LS 460 AWD. A soft quiet excellent ride, (but 2010 RX 350 feels more of a drivers car.) Appointments and materials first rate. Excellent fit and finish. Acceleration with V-8 excellent, powerful and controlled.

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  Great used vehicle, love it! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Research Nut - October 14 - 12:16 am

  Bought this 2yrs ago with 160k from a private party after getting it checked out at a Lexus dealership. Outside of the usual, I HAVE NOT SPENT A PENNY! Not one thing has gone wrong or needed to be fixed. It is just a wonderful car, and Im glad all of my research (much of which I did here at Edmunds.com) in finding it paid off. After owning this car, I just cannot understand why people would ever pay more money that I paid here for another inferior, less-reliable used car (like anything from Detroit)...

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  lexus - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By JakeJacobs - October 13 - 10:00 am

  Very Nice Vehicle I will definitely consider a Lexus again & recommend the vehicle to anyone that is in the market it handles & does everyghing well

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  it is an outstanding car - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By Bubu - October 13 - 10:00 am

  this car is the best suv I have ever driven.It has everything you need in a SUV.

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  I liked my 1998 Lexus better - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By al klemm - October 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd ES300. I traded in a 1998 model for this car. Power and gas milaege are less than last vehicle. Brakes on car were poor and unsafe. When dealer serviced car he informed us there was a defect. Vehicle was not recalled. Brakes were dangerous, customers are not notified. You find out when you complain about the brakes. I will never buy another Lexus.