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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  Its so easy to love a Lexus - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By Jack - August 19 - 3:30 am

  Ive owned Audis, BMWs, Saabs, and many Japenese and American cars and by far this is the best car I have ever owned. Its also my second Lexus with the first having been a 98 that still ran perfect at 160,000 miles when I traded her. Sure there is some truth about the drive-by-wire delay but its ever so slight and I got used to it within a day and Im about as fickle at they come. I urge anyone who wants sportiness, reliability, luxury, and just plain old grinning ear to ear every time they get behind the wheel to buy a Lexus ES. You cant go wrong with a used Lexus either as they present one hell of a value.

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  The Best Car I have ever owned - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By JEWELS - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I just love my car...I have enjoyed this car more than any vehicle I have ever owned... including BMW and Cadillacs. I have owned them all. This is the best! The Service is the BEST!!!! What can I say....buy a Lexus....you wil Not be sorry.

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  "A MUST BUY OR LEASE" - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By JAJ - August 18 - 2:00 am

  MY THIRD ES SINCE 2002...CANT BEAT THE LUXURY 2002,2003,2004...LOVE THEM!

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  AWESOME SUV,LOVE IT - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By LEX CHIC - August 18 - 2:00 am

  ITS OVERALL A GREAT SUV,WILL RECOMMEND TO ANYONE,JUST WISH THE TRANSMISSION WAS A LITTLE SMOOTHER.THE INSIDE IS VERY UP TO DATE AND THE LEATHER IS SO SMOOTH,THE OUTSIDE IS AWESOME THE CLEAR BACK LIGHTS,THE NEW HEADLIGHTS AND THE 18"WHEELS DO THE JOB..GOOD JOB LEXUS

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  A near perfect vehicle - 1999 Lexus LX 470
  By John - August 17 - 6:56 am

  In my 50 years of owning and driving vehicles, this one is my favorite. Its also been the most reliable and trouble free and the dealership has been a pleasure with the routine upkeep of the vehicle. This is truly a "turn-key" situation, just turn it on and go, in comfort and style. This is also the first vehicle Ive ever owned for 200,000 miles. And theyve been virtually trouble free.

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  Great vehicle - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By Fred kilgore - August 17 - 2:56 am

  Very quite, reliable, great handling and peppy engine with good gas mileage.

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  Initial Impressions with Used LS430 - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By new2lexus2 - August 15 - 9:43 am

  Finally decided to treat ourselves to some luxury and research led us to the Lexus LS...test driving lead us to the 2004 LS430 we recently purchased. At 92,500 miles, and timing belt service just done, we felt this was a bargain luxury vehicle. Initial driving impression has been WoW! Car does have the often reported passenger side-view mirror problem, but that is easily worked around. We opted for the base model with some extras as opposed to the luxury model (we did test drive one). Since our desire was for a vacation and special occasion road car (instead of our 2001 RX300), we wanted the larger trunk. Still plenty of amenities to make it a true pleasure to drive and ride thus far.

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  Lexus cars rock - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Lorena - August 15 - 7:00 am

  Ive owned this car for 10 years. NEVER had an issue with anything. Would HIGHLY recommend purchasing a Lexus. They are reliable and provide comfort and a very smooth ride.

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  2008 LEXUS RX350 AWD - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By djevanstn1 - August 15 - 1:44 am

  I cannot begin to tell you how much we love this car. This is the 3rd Lexus in a row. First was a very fast/fun/reliable SC, (lasted to about 350,000 miles and still running) 2nd was an RX300 (not quite as reliable, but good enough I guess - traded at 194,000) This one though, is still better than both previous - only things added were trailer hitch, trailer lighting cord ("factory," just plugged it in to a provided and conveniently located chassis harness). "GADGETS" all seem to work wonderfully and its packed with gadgets. Wonderful comfortable ride.

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  Excellent all around vehicle - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By dorenescar - August 14 - 7:20 am

  Our 400h has truly exceeded all of our expectations. We are getting an average of 28 mpg with mixed driving on streets and freeways (mainly streets). The road feel is extraordinary. It feels like we are floating on air, the brakes and steering are tight and efficient and its the quietest car weve ever driven. The back seat reclining is a brilliant idea for making the back feel spacious. The vehicle takes hills with ease, and seems effortless in daily driving. The only downside is the navigation system, which is cumbersome, difficult to program, and works only in an off or no movement position. Otherwise, we recommend this to anyone for an exceptional ride and drive experience.