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:

• 

  All around great car - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Gingerbread - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car since October 1999. This car has never had any problems. The only downside in my opinion is if you use the dealer to maintain the car you can expect $1000 a year or so easy. I drive a lot so for me its about $2,000 per year in up keep.

• 

  The Lexus I bought seven months ago - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By victor tsung - May 24 - 10:00 am

  The most comfortable car to drive and to own. If this is a wagon with awd I wouldnt want any other car.

• 

  REEEEEAAAAALLLY Nice - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By Casey - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I get 25 bucks worth of enjoyment every time I drive this car...Solid handling, wonderful traction going up my "driveway from hell" during the icy winters in NJ, good visibility, great looks.

• 

  Fun Car - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Lynda Deuble - May 24 - 9:26 am

  This car has incredible brakes! It will stop on a dime! It corners well and handles well and is a dream to drive. The steering is quite sensitive compared to other cars.

• 

  3 time Lexus owner - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By steve - May 24 - 3:00 am

  After leasing 2 RX300s over the last six years, this is a BIG step up. The deal was outstanding but the vehicle really sold itself. Comfort, power and looks all in one package. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone in the market for a mid to large size SUV. You wont go wrong.

• 

  Lexus Family - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus Cruiser - May 21 - 9:00 pm

  Bought this ES 300 about 7 months ago and it has been problem free. Its comfortable, quiet, smooth, powerful and gets decent mpg. I have the suspension control and heated seats. Have the factory chrome rims with white pearl paint, people think its a very expensive and classy car. We really like this car and would recommend to anyone.

• 

  GX 460, please do not buy - 2011 Lexus GX 460
  By iowa80 - May 21 - 3:19 pm

  I had old model, GX470 for 8 years and I purchased new GX460 expecting better. But it was my big mistake. New GX460 is larger, heavier SUV, but Lexus engineers put smaller engine. It is so underpowered and I have hard time to go up hills to my home and afraid to pass any car in the freeway. My son has refused to drive this SUV because too dangerous to pass any car in highways and handling is so poor in the California mountain highways. I am ready to return this SUV if Lexus take it back. I know why Lexus sales are going down. Their design skills are so poor in many items and need vast improvement.

• 

  awesome suv - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By sampan - May 21 - 10:00 am

  i dont know why that they said about lack of horsepower? was it because everything on this car is perfect? common!

• 

  Will not buy another Lexus - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By MaxK - May 21 - 10:00 am

  I had to replace the front strut mounts at 50,000 miles. The lexus service advisor told me it is common to have this problem. I still cant believe it. Paint chips off very easily (2004 ES330 has the same problem), lot of wind noise at high speeds.

• 

  Run Flat Nighmare - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By localred - May 21 - 10:00 am

  A wonderful car if you dont mind bone rattling jolts hitting potholes. Run flat tires are a nightmare: I have two new tires and two new wheels on a car with less than 10K mileage. Two other tires have bubbles meaning replacement soon. My wife hates to be a passenger unless we are on perfectly paved road. Avoid this car unless you only do highway driving!