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:

• 

  FUN, FUN, FUN - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By parpay - November 23 - 9:16 pm

  Had it for 4 days and already have 300 miles on it. Very comfortable, fun to drive and darn it that mouse is fun too! Got a great deal $1250 under invoice. I drive 500 miles per week so comfort is important. Very happy with my decision.

• 

  No buyers remorse here! More than meets the eye. - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By LA - November 19 - 7:38 pm

  Excellent choice for the AARP crowd. Advanced structure safety design. Engineers used advanced construction processes. Attention to the little things and attention to detail is self evident like stop and Hold braking at stop lights... Designers tailored comfort for 50 Plus.... im amazed at the "Exceptional seat comfort" ! Advanced melded frame blocks noise transmission! Suspension provides deep muted kicks producing a remarkable ride! Superb fit and finish inside the cabin. Remarkable smooth "intelligent" modern transmission and an Engine that produces excellent numbers at low RPMs.. Its a ride you can drive great distance and still feel good at the end of the day! Hard to judge only by the numbers alone but rather "OF" the whole concept ! Very quiet so use the cruise control isolation makes it hard to feel just how fast your going. No buyers remorse here. Not a drivers car but rather "luxury" transportation. Arrive alive and in great shape! So for value comfort resale and reliability this "IS" a compact SUV to consider.

• 

  "Gentlemans Dream Car" - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By gdl - November 18 - 10:00 am

  My tltle for the review comes from what the ticket taker at the ferry told me as I was driving home with it. I bought the car because it was a 4 passenger with a hard top. Lexus was the only car that fit that criteria 4seats-hardtop{not a rag top}. It wasnt until after I bought that I realized all the things that made it a "dream car" the interior comfort in just sitting in it, the stereo,tilting rear view mirrors when the car is put in reverse, quit motor, powerful motor, quiet interior as you travel with the top down at 60+ mph, GPS,and you cant averlook the comments you get about the car

• 

  SC430 - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By bartnfw - November 18 - 10:00 am

  Comfort and handling make the car treat to drive. The fuel economy for this level of performance is outstanding.

• 

  An attractive car - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By JFMC - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I have tested BMW 325i, Benz 240, and Audi A4, and x-type before buying this car. It is a very good value for what I have paid. It is really a joy to drive. The dealership is a valued-added feature.

• 

  Love it - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Alexas - November 18 - 10:00 am

  This is the smoothest ride you could ever have.

• 

  Nearly flawless - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By wjohnstone74 - November 15 - 12:59 am

  After owning 7 North American automobiles (4 of them brand new), I cant believe I am about to complain about my Lexus - just nit-picky stuff really. Reliability wise, the car has been flawless. I have 138,000km on it and the only issue I have had was a hole in each side of the stainless steel exhaust pipe right before the secondary cat converters. This was a $1400 repair, so I got a local muffler shop to weld on two 1 foot sections of pipe and now its fine. Except that they fried an o2 sensor on me while welding. I have the creaks and rattles in the dash like everyone else. That is annoying. Also, the tranny seems lost when feathering the throttle below 20km/h.

• 

  Reliable but the buy a self-battery jumper because the starter battery will die on you - 2008 Lexus RX 400H
  By greyhounds3 - November 14 - 10:11 am

  I bought this used and the hybrid system was not explained to me at the dealership. I had to go to another dealership which took the time to explain the hybrid system to me. (I stayed a customer at that dealership) The starter battery dies in cold weather on a regular basis and also will die if the vehicle has not been driven for a week or so. Do yourself a favor and purchase a chargeable self-battery jumper, which will save you a lot of time waiting for AAA. I bought the hybrid to get better fuel economy. I havent seen the fuel economy of the Rx400h go above 26. The features and gadgets are simple and easy to use, and the seats are super comfortable.

• 

  Exceptional! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Skandelous - November 12 - 2:00 am

  You wont believe how this vehicle works. Since Hawaii doesnt have much options such as the 18 inch wheels, the only good package there was was the Mark Levinson package (excluding the Navigation). I love the speakers and the gadgets. The acceleration is awesome and the seats and the ride is so comfortable.

• 

  The ultimate cruiser - 2002 Lexus GS 300
  By ShawnC - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Spirited, comfy, great stereo (Mark Levinson), and a GPS to boot. The first car I own where I can drive 350 miles straight and not feel a sore anywhere on the body.