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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  Great car - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Starryeyes - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Great handling in the snow, nice ride,

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  headlights - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By fleet - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I find that it is diffucult to see objects that are about 10 or 15 feet in front of me with my low beams

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  5th One to Own - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Rducks - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my 5th Lexus to own, my 2nd RX SUV. Ive NEVER had any type of engine/car performance problem! Gas Mileage has been great. Not many SUVs get 24+ m/g on the open road. The car is not only good looking, but easy to handle, reliable, easy to drive in rain and snow. Service that goes with owning a Lexus is great - no hassle- but then again never a major problem!

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  pinging - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By pinger - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Very nice and does wellin the winter environme3nt

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  The Best of The Best - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By Gene Broady - January 23 - 11:46 am

  I have owned a Lexus LS for the past 15 years and have recently purchased a new LS 460. This vehicle is in my opinion without a doubt the the best luxury car in the world for the price. This LS has every feature imaginable except the park itself feature. My LS is black and has chrome wheels that really sets it off. This LS looks, drives and rides like the dreamcar that it is!

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  Lexus is the best Automobile on the Road - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Marvin L - January 23 - 10:10 am

  A Lexus is designed to run, all the time, no fuss. Plus you get technology, comfort, and A+++ Dealer service. I like my vehicles detailed and perfect. I hate when things dont work. Go Lexus.

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  Decision I will never regret. - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By shortaznbodie - January 23 - 6:10 am

  I bought this car about three days ago and what a charm. This car is my first Lexus and what an impression it made on me when I went to the dealer to test drive it. The ride is nice and smooth when it needs to be and is tight through the cornering. This car is very techno savvy but it doesnt take much time to figure out how to use everything. The interior is not bad although other reviews say they are rough on the back but I dont think so. Overall, this car is great but has some minor details that can be easily changed for the next gen, but all in all this is a great car.

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  Almost perfect - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By robert - January 22 - 11:23 am

  I have taken several long trips, and the car has handled like a dream. I averaged about 27.8 mpg driving 78 mph. I arrive w/o feeling road weary. The only area of disapointment is the Voice Command System. Lexus needs to go back to the drawing board and make changes. I suggest the computer be programed to accept the zip code since it is often incapable of understanding the city name. I have on several occasion made a game out of it by allowing other passengers to get the computer to accept their commands, most often with no success. I strongly dislike having to stop in order to program.

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  Great Car - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By Raymond - January 22 - 3:26 am

  I love this car. It is very quiet in high speed. The Navigation system is easy to use.

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By asubf asknda - January 22 - 2:00 am

  This car is unblievable, and is great for this price comparing the Mercedes SL and the Jaguar XK. Get it.