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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  Great buy - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By NickD - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Great buy, with recent incentives.

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  Loving it in LA - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Ian in LA - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Just bought this car after test driving several luxury SUVs. We have an ML500 that my wife "used" to love to drive. I bought this vehicle for me but have only driven it once in more than one week. My wife just would not let go. This car comes fully loaded at less price than a comparable ML500.

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  Big Improvement over RX300 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By lawprofs - April 25 - 10:00 am

  I never liked the RX300. It seemed a bit wimpy and handled very poorly. The 330 is a different vehicle. Better looking, more horsepower, better handling. Went to the dealership to look at a GS 470, but liked the RX better.

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  Big Disappointment! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By MountainDriver - April 25 - 10:00 am

  The Edmunds review couldnt be more wrong about the performance of the drive train and the "seamless shifting". 1) There is an annoying "clunk" when the car shifts gears (Dealer says Lexus is aware of this "condition" and that it is "normal" in the RX330). 2) Under mountain driving conditions, the car shifts in and out of passing gear (unless you downshift to 3rd). Lexus has a "fix" which is to "reburn the transmission".I cant tell that it made any difference whatsoever. 3) Finally, under mountain driving conditions, the RX330 seems less powerful than my 2001 RX300. This car is a big disappointment!

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  how many 02 sensors can one car need replacing - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By chrissylynn53 - April 24 - 7:30 am

  I have had the alternator go out. and countless sensors it goes in the shop about 1 time a year for at least 500 in repairs. I will never buy a lexus again biggest piece of crap. I will buy a ford for my next car. I broke down 100 miles from home and had to hitch hike. scary. I [non-permissible content removed] hate this car

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  Takes a licking and keeps ticking - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By John - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Very are money nice and reliable car other the oil changes, replace brake calipers at 180K. Hit two deer in six months rebuilt just like new, mine has every option available, and everything works just fine, will drive it till the wheels fall off, i figure about 500k miles or more, Mercedes E class move over theres a new kid in town.

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  Nice car, but disappointment - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By carlover - April 21 - 4:20 am

  Ive owned S500s, 7-series, A8s, and an LS 430. After my latest car (04 S500), I decided to give Lexus another try with their new LS 460L. After owning the car for a few months now, Ive come to realize why it is so much cheaper than its claimed competition (S550, A8L, 750Li.) The performance, attention to detail, driving technology advancement, luxury, and style is sub par when compared with the German makes. After switching between my wifes 745Li and this car, I definitely notice the small touches with the BMW that add up to huge diff. (i.e., driver oriented controls, smoother/wider power band, brakes that automatically dry themselves, power closing drs, etc.).

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  Lexus SC430 Review - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Elaine the one - April 19 - 2:00 am

  Repeat Lexus SC customer--Also owns SC400. Excellent car in town--month ago took vehicle on 1500 mile(one way) trip. Nothing on road could perform with it. Rate SC430 10 for comfort but just a little short of my SC400. If only Lexus could place performance of 430 in body of SC400 size vehicle.

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  Wonderful! - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By LexusMan@Aol.com - April 17 - 4:10 pm

  I test drove the Infiniti Q45, the Lincoln Towncar, the Toyota Avalon, and the Lexus LS 430. The Avalon was too small, the Towncar handled badly, and the Q45 was nice but I got a better deal on the Lexus Ls430. This car handles very well ( Not as well as the Avalon or Q45.) This car has the smoothiest ride ever and has a wonderful stero syestem.

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  Nothing better than this!!! - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By Amy - April 17 - 9:40 am

  This car is a dream. Every day I get in and thank heaven that I went with Lexus instead of something else. Service departments are ALWAYS easy to work with (and I have worked with four different dealership service depts). Handling is great, brakes are amazing, and I could never be without navigation again. Nothing says luxury, dependability, and safety better than the Lexus GS300!!