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:

• 

  Lexus Delivers - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By nelson - October 7 - 2:23 am

  After looking at many competing vehicles, including Mercedes E-Class, we settled on the ES 350 Pebble Beach edition, with nav and the usual amenities. The Lexus is quite reminiscent of the Benz E Class in power, room and fun to drive. The stats are quite close. Lexus keeps surprising us. We had one of the first RX 300s, and have had the ES 300. This new vehicle blows the predecessors away, with power, quiet and technology (as expected). On the minus side, the visibility could be improved with a higher windshield and back window. On the plus side is the ride quality, which is why we went back to Lexus.

• 

  Smooth Blue - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus4Her - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I found this car to be as smooth a ride as it is smooth looking. The engine is buttery to say the least. The dealer gave us new brakes when we bought it, with the 100K warranty. Sotps great, goes fast in ECT Power. Nice Cruise Control. More Bass in the Sound System would be nice. Sub woofer possibly? Seats are comfy with Leather, just wish they were heated. I wonder if anyone has had a situation where the chrome wheels leaked are due to rust? My dealer says this is a known Lexus problem of that year???

• 

  Outstanding - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By Love my LX470 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I have the 2004 LX470 and it is wonderful. The ride is so smooth I feel like I am driving in a car. It is by far the best of all SUVs on the market. Total luxury!

• 

  Lexus from columbus - 2000 Lexus ES 300
  By vhchambers - October 7 - 2:00 am

  In only three years the emission sensor went bad and didnt not pass State of Virginia inspection. $450 to replace. Service is very expense from the Columbus Lexus dealer.

• 

  Love/Hate - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By tuomala1 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Overall I really like this car but it developed an annoying clunking noise on downshifts after about 5,000 miles. Lexus says this is normal for this car. If this type of problem would bother you, ask the dealer about it before you buy. If they dont acknowledge knowing anything about it, think twice or you may regret it later.

• 

  Its everything you want in a luxury car - 2010 Lexus RX 450h
  By new450 - October 5 - 12:43 pm

  The car has everything I was looking for -- the SUV seating, the car like ride, the Lexus luxury, the MPG, and a high tech toy. This is my first hybrid and the transition is indictable. Other than watching the screen, you can not tell when you are using gas or electric. Its amazing. This is a very high tech vehicle and you need to be prepared to study the manuals. Its hard to appreciate touching the car door and it opens, then having the seats conform to your driver position, and then touching the start button only to hear the silent sound of the A/C working. Oh yes, and your phone was also connected in the process. This is an amazing vehicle!

• 

  they dont make em like this anymore - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By hawaiijoe - October 4 - 3:30 am

  I bought it used form a lady who only put 4000 miles on it in 10 months. (guess why she was selling it.) cons: only a four-speed auto -- old school. lexus stereo is average. cup holders are junk -- they dont keep your cup or bottle from tipping. pros: everything else. quiet, ride, reliability, fit and finish, room in the cockpit up front. A snap to wash because its low and doesnt have the slab sides the newer models do. I only have 75,000 miles on it now, but Ill trade it in for a new 350 -- as soon as Lexus makes one I like better than this one. I dont like the 2010, and I sure didnt like the body style before that. Ill keep my 99, thank you very much.

• 

  This RX 400h is great! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Gene Knight - October 4 - 12:03 am

  I really like the vehicle, its got a really smooth ride, and very quiet running, in both gas and electric modes. I traded in my 2003 RX 330, and the 400h gets about 5 mpg better fuel economy than my 330. There is a lot more passing power in this RX 400h than the 330 had, it sort of lagged at times but the 400h has instant power.

• 

  Great Car!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2008 Lexus IS F
  By HC - October 1 - 7:46 am

  I have been driving this car for 3 months now, I have to say that Im really impressed with gas mileage, HWY 26mpg, CITY 18mpg for a 400+ hp is really good, ride comfort is not bad, I live in The Woodlands TX and we have no bumpy roads which makes it a pretty smooth ride so far... The Power is amazing, really fast, and also very good looking. If you are looking for POWER and LUXURY this is the car for you.

• 

  Consider RX 350 before purchase - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Mark Stern - September 30 - 3:23 am

  I got a RX 400h for the performance - at the time the 330 had 45 less HP, now with the 350 it has 2 Hp more. Dont think youre saving the planet with this car, it gets slightly better gas milage. BUT there are trade offs. For one the engine noise is so un-Lexus like, two, the transmission and brakes are different from normal cars. I WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST- drive both 400h and 350 back to back, then if youre not convinced the 400 is still 5 Grand more. For 2007 350 has new NAV system and XM radio, bluetooth phone also avlb with out nav. I made a mistake and am thinking of trading in.