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:

• 

  best car I have ever owned - 2010 Lexus LS 460
  By rodney - September 7 - 9:00 am

  Having had Mercedes vehicles for 25 years and being tired of all the problems I decided to switch to the Lexus 460. What an incredible vehicle. Not a single problem with the new car. Took it in once for a routine check and the service dept. was unbelievably nice. The all wheel drive let me drive on some recent ice and snow as if the streets were clear.This truly is the best car I have ever owned.

• 

  Great Luxury Car - 1995 Lexus LS 400
  By moshemm - September 6 - 10:26 pm

  I bought a well cared 95 LS400 with 100K km on it from a family member for my wife. Fantastic car, outstanding build quality (try the same age Benz or BMW, I did), rather boring drive, maybe because it was driven very leisurely before and it may have an adaptive transmission that remembers driving habits. No other car in that age will last. Very expensive dealer service.

• 

  Excellent Car - 2012 Lexus CT 200H
  By rjab - September 6 - 1:24 pm

  Had this car for a week now and its amazing. Getting already 45 mpg with mixed city and highway driving. Got the Premium trim with Audio package, HDD Navigaton and Leather Package. Love the drive and the sports mode. Saving a lot of money on the gas. Got the Factory Invoice price from my dealer.

• 

  Our favorite SUV So far! - 2006 Lexus GX 470
  By car freak! - September 5 - 6:00 pm

  We have owned every SUV there is and just traded in our H2 for this great vehicle. This is our favorite by far. We are a young couple and still wanted to look young. We wanted a vehicle safe for the family, with a comfort ride without a huge size and better gas mileage than our gas guzzling Hummer. This vehicle is all the SUVs wrapped up into one. Its comfortable, roomy, looks sporty, and gets an average SUV gas milage. We get about 16-17 in the city and 20 on the highway. We also use premium gas, it burns cleaner and allows better gas mileage. This is our first Lexus and we are so pleased with it! It has given the others a run for their money by far!

• 

  Lexus is the best! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus Family - September 4 - 1:26 am

  Sold on Lexus, have an LS 430 and love it so bought a 97 ES 300 for my daughters to drive. Love the classy look, safety, reliabilty and feel of a Lexus. It will spoil you forever. The V-6 has tons of power. Comfortable seats with nice quality leather. Very quiet and smooth. Get compliments on the white/tan appearance, looks like a new car. Trust this car to get my daughters home, enough said.

• 

  GirlGlam - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By pieta - September 3 - 3:00 pm

  I love driving my SC 430. I also love the attention I get when Im driving, anywhere. I also own a Dodge Durango, but when Im driving it, I dont get nearly the respect from other drivers that I do when Im driving my SC. It is really a glamourous vehicle that is apparently deceiving. Other drivers will pull next to me, idle at the stop light, and think theyll be able to take off and get in front of me. Ha!! My baby has GET UP!!! Every now and then I get to just blow her out, with the top down; the ride is incredibly smooth and intoxicating.

• 

  Love this Lexus! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Terri - September 3 - 5:26 am

  I bought this SUV used and have had it for 6 days. So far, I love it! The ride is unlike any other car Ive ever been in - incredibly smooth and quiet. But, more powerful than I had expected for such a large, heavy vehicle with rather low horsepower (235). I love the back up camera and the Nav is very easy to use although it usually takes me through less preferred routes.

• 

  CPO 2008 RX350 AWD - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By NYCVS - September 1 - 6:30 pm

  Bought my CPO 2008 RX350 just a few weeks ago, already put 700+ miles on it. Ride is butter smooth, especially helpful over horrible NYC roads... Fuel economy is excellent for an AWD SUV (got 30MPG highway only and 21- 22MPG driving 50/50). Interior is quiet, stylish and attractive. HID headlights are so much brighter than regular halogens I have on my 2004 GX470! Paid $29K with 3yr/100K bumber- to-bumber warranty for a vehicle with only 31K miles and driving and looking like brand-new. Another great product Lexus, and its what keeps me coming back.

• 

  MFG Lexus Review - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By MFG - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle. Very quite ride. Beautiful and smooth ride. Has unbelievable power when accelerating. Voice activation of accesories are awesome. Turning radius is unbelievable.

• 

  Great Ride - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By eckfay - August 30 - 10:00 am

  This is an excellent vehicle...more on- road than off-road...very comfortable...handles well...little pricey, but worth it...excellent interior features...all in all..fabulous