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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  SoccerMomMobile - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Arnie - August 7 - 8:03 am

  This vehicle is designed for politically correct soccer moms. They have eliminated the ash-tray, lighter and change holder. For just the front seat (1 driver, 1 passenger), they now have 3 cup holders and spaces for an almost infinite number of water bottles. There is no outlet for a cellphone charger or radar-detector. The center armrest is way too far back to rest anything but your right elbow on. Whoever designed this clunker must be related to the guy who changed the formula in coca-cola.

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  Great Car - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By - August 5 - 2:00 am

  We have been looking at a mid-size car to replace our Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. We started looking at the Lexus ES300 after looking at a Toyota Avalon. The quality and value that you receive in this Lexus is second to none. The safety equipment is what primarily sold us on this car and then the build quality is what caught our eye. The dealer has been great to work with as well.

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  Sporty ride - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By Kim Farley - August 4 - 4:40 am

  Still love the car. Not quite used to the smallness of this vehicle since we bought several RX models over the years before buying this one. We love the technology and safety warning devices and find the vehicle very comfortable. We took a 3,000 mile road trip in this car and found it to be a wonderful ride.

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  Great Value for a Hybrid - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By jjanphil - August 3 - 8:03 pm

  Going into third month driving what I believe is the best value hybrid on the market. I have the base model, with driving split between city and highway. It excels in city driving, and, once up to speed on the highway, is terrific, with a very comfortable ride. The "PWR MODE" works well in getting up to speed on the highway. This car should be compared to other hybrids or cars which deliver good gas mileage; not against performance cars (although the HS is no slouch in that area). Comparing the quality and the features which come with the HS, it is easily the best of the new breed of energy efficient vehicles.

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  2006 GS300 AWD - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By mspence - August 3 - 4:06 am

  the car had two major flaws : low headroom . I am only 59" and my head almost scrapes the roof . The second flaw it the run flat tires . They do not take any abuse . They puncture easily and are very expensive. The dealer was not very clear about the option to put regular tires on the car .

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  whats not to like? - 2011 Lexus ES 350
  By mattkodak - August 2 - 7:18 pm

  drove the car from the dealers lot to home with the big red bow in the back seat as this was a present for my wife. We had a 2002 es300 we traded in for the 2011 es350. after an initial break-in period we drove to Disney World from our florida home in fort myers. needless to say, the three hour trip was smooth, quiet and thoroughly refeshing as one expects from the lexus. upon arrival at our hotel we were greeted by the bell staff at the front entrance to unload the luggage and check in. They admired the cars exterior and interior as they helped us unload. on the road we also received admiring glances from other motorists as well as when we parked.

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  My new GS 450h - 2008 Lexus GS 450h
  By Al - August 2 - 1:50 pm

  I just picked up my GS 450h last week and can already say that I love the car. The performance is amazing and I give Lexus high marks for the quality of the car. I traded in a 2002 GS 430, which I was extremely happy with, but this car has it beat in every category. This is the most fun Ive had driving a car.

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  Lexus Review - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Ann Marie - August 2 - 1:26 am

  I love this vehicle and I plan on taking it to the grave. I love the quietness of the drive the comfort and the heavy doors which make me feel like it wasnt built out of tin foil. The gas mileage is great for a car of this class. The fact that I have air conditioned seats as well as heated seats makes me feel like I am in totally luxury. The only negative I can think of its that it does not have rear folding seats, but given that fact that my husband has an SUV, I didnt think it was all that serious, plus the trunk size is big enough for my shopping sprees. All in all, I think this is one of the best cars out in terms of realibility, safety, and luxury.

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  2006 to a 2010 - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By clc - August 1 - 7:00 pm

  The 2006 RX was perfect in quality, reliability and performance, 60,000 miles with not one problem, so we traded for a 2010RX. A mistake, why? more wind noise, more road/tire noise, more motor noise, poorer ride quality,l poorer leather quality, gas mileage not as good, no side door strip protection, chrome roof stripe instead of black, poor interior AC outlets positions, no lighting on overhead buttons, over all quality not as good as a Lexus should be. Lexus needs to re-think their future RXs.

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  Nice!! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By BruceM - July 31 - 10:00 am

  Had an early RX300 - sold it and bought a Range Rover 4.6 HSE after 2 years. Big mistake. 3 years later, got one of first RX330s. Far beyond my fondest expectations. Loved the RX300 - this is so far ahead of that, its unbelievable. This is a keeper!!