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:

• 

  RX330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By bohunk - September 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my first LUV I mean SUV Id never found one worthy until now.The 330 rides like a car and is loaded with all the latest safety goodies.I have a 2001 ES300 and this is just so much more auto with many more features.

• 

  Very impressive fuel economy - 2010 Lexus GX 460
  By James Goren - September 12 - 12:13 pm

  The 460GX is an extremely comfortable vehicle, at highway speed is very quite and you can easily do 23 mpg, at the same speed my FJ (6 cylinders) was maybe capable of 20 mpg and my former H3 (5 cylinders) 18 in a perfect day! The acceleration is to say the list impressive and off road is as good as an FJ. The third row is pretty comfortable, accordingly to my passengers, if the second row is moved forward. The GPS is excellent and I enjoy the "air condition" seats. I agree that the back swing door is not easy to use, specially in town, but you can now open the back window. Overall is an excellent vehicle at least for now, 2,500 miles in 40 days.

• 

  Love it - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By tinkatpow - September 12 - 11:10 am

  I have had my rx300 for a couple years now, and being almost 7 years old now, it still has up to date features and looks, very comfortable, and just a great car/suv. I have two kids now, and were having more, so I have to upsize, and I really dont want to get rid of it.

• 

  I found the perfect car - 2007 Lexus GS 450h
  By Deej - September 11 - 4:56 pm

  My wife and I decided to go from 3 cars to 2, so we traded in a 2001 Accord EX V6 and a 2003 BMW M3 for the GS 450h. We ended up with a car that carries people better than the Accord, performs better than the M3 (really), and gets better gas mileage than either (we get between 26 and 27 mpg). If you drive it like a high-powered sports car, it will perform like same - right down to gas mileage in the teens. If you drive it like a sedan, it will give you all that plus another 5 mpg. Visibility is excellent. Controls are perfect. Everybody can find a comfortable seating position.

• 

  2016 Review - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By tiffany - September 10 - 2:27 am

  This is a SPECTACULUR SUV! I bought the 2015 version and I absolutely love it. Just when I couldnt imagine a better SUV, I drove the 2016. When I tell you that this SUV handles like a sports car.....please believe me. Ive read some of these reviews and I am wondering what they were ACTUALLY driving and whether theyve been paid to give a negative opinion of the speed, driveability, etc. While I am not the electronic professional and cant say very much about how the internal controls compare to others in its category, but I can say that this truck is top notch. I happen to love LEXUS, as Ive owned a few. I almost purchased the Benz SUV but honestly, the maintenance program and lack of physical appeal prevented that. The 2016 is GORGEOUS and heads literally turned each time I pulled up or away. I wouldnt want to own the 2016 because I dont have the discipline to drive at the speed limit w all the power it has. I LOOOOOVE THIS TRUCK and think its the best pick for a conservative professional MAN who wants to impress the conservative professional lady!

• 

  Best in Class! - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By Therocker - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I can not thin of a better car for the money. Gorgeous style. Super comfortable. Powerful and fun to drive. Innovative technology and Lexus quality and service make earn it the highest marks. Nothing beats this hard top convertible. Best sound system and Navigation in the industry! Well the Benz SL is appealing it is not worth the $100k+ and the long waiting list. Not to mention MBs lower marks in service and quality

• 

  Best in Class! - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By therocker - September 10 - 2:00 am

  I can not thin of a better car for the money. Gorgeous style. Super comfortable. Powerful and fun to drive. Innovative technology and Lexus quality and service make earn it the highest marks. Nothing beats this hard top convertible. Best sound system and Navigation in the industry! Well the Benz SL is appealing it is not worth the $100k+ and the long waiting list. Not to mention MBs lower marks in service and quality

• 

  Best Yet - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By richieb - September 10 - 2:00 am

  Just got back from Florida... Round trip mileage 27.5 mpg Comfortable in all aspects. Not a single problem.. For those who say it is underpowered I had it at 120 mph level ground without a downshift.. Extreme hill climb 90 mph before downshift.. How much power do you want... Consider it uses unleaded regular and not premium like the competition and youre ahead of the game.. Love this car to no end!!!

• 

  Great car - 2009 Lexus ES 350
  By Ern - September 9 - 4:03 am

  Quiet, luxurious, smooth to drive, with effortless power. A great touring car, and handsome besides.

• 

  Black on black beauty! - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By Kwam - September 8 - 12:50 pm

  Great car. It runs very smooth and has useful features like traction control, heated seats and memory seats. I also like the adjustable suspension. In sport mode it can almost hang with a beemer.