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 car - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By AmyLS430 - April 2 - 10:00 am

  I love my LS430. The only thing I would caution would be buyers about is that the darker colored cars show scratches more than the lighter colored ones. I really baby this car but have noticed a few scratches (and yes Im overly sensitive) on mine (color - Flint Mica).

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  New GTX - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By GTX-SB - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle. I found the comfort suspension setting a bit stiff on my bumpy city streets at slow speeds, fine on country roads at more speed and the nornal or sport settings fine at highway speeds. Everything else is pure pleasure.

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  The best of all FIVE - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Mr. Tom - March 30 - 10:56 pm

  Of all the the many features that are on this vehicle, the ones that benefit us the most are; HUD (Heads Up Display), oversized front windshield, visibility from the headlights, road stability and cruise control with radar. Of all the SUVs we have owned (5) in total, the 2017 RX 350 is by far the best. We owned a GMC Jimmy that had way too many problems. Then came the Infiniti QX 4 that gave us great service, comfort and enjoyment. Our next SUV was a NISSAN Murano that had problems with the transmission. Our next SUV was a NISSAN Murano that did not give us the problems the previous model gave us. Our first LEXUS RX 350 was a 2015 that was trouble-free. However, with very few miles the dealer offered us a great trade-in on the 2017 RX 350 that we now own. We loved the added features this one had over the 2015. With 18,000 kms now on this SUV we wil probably keep it for another year or two, that is unless the 2019 has enough added features for us to trade up. We are now very happy LEXUS owners. We plan on trading up our 2015 ES 350 to the 2019 ES 350 LEXUS because it’s supposed to have many new features we have come to enjoy on the 2017 LEXUS RX 350. We bought the 2017 in November of 2016.

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  Serenity in the Suburbs - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By friendintocars - March 29 - 4:00 am

  When we felt we deserved a lot more bells and whistles and were watching the fuel prices start the most recent climb we researched the available Luxury Hybrids. Kathy wanted a higher seating position than the 99 Solara, BlueTooth/Nav/Heated Seats and she found it all. My working for a Lexus store didnt stop her from looking at the Prius, Altima and Lincoln Hybrids but she determined that the Premium HS suited her best. Now that she regularly exceeds the posted 35 MPG by 2 or 3 it confirmed her decision. A high point of her day is getting asked for a ride by various co-workers and showing off the cooled seats and verbal commands. That the dealer washes it every week is an added bonus!

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  A True Lexus at Heart - 2006 Lexus GX 470
  By Ian Aker - March 29 - 1:10 am

  Having owned a GX 470 for about a year, I can honestly say that Lexus builds great cars, and that Lexus dealerships take great care of their clients. Overall the car drives just like many other Lexi, bland steering but with a solidarity only found in a few other car makes.

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  Excellent Car - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By James F. Peterson - March 28 - 10:00 am

  Looks great, drives great and is super quiet.

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  The almost perfect Car - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Denzil - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I looked at the TL, but too loud and harsh a ride. Then the Saab 9-5. Great car, but poor resale and loud road noises. Sold on ES within minutes of test driving. So quiet, highest material quality and comfortable interior! Lots of storage. My transmission is jerky. Im hoping the dealer can fix.

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  SWEET - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Ronald Pollard - March 28 - 10:00 am

  The ES 330 is the best bang for the buck in luxury sedans of its class. The quiet interior is very soothing. The handling is really nice. The look is very sleek.

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  Wow - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By snowman22 - March 27 - 9:17 pm

  Just picked up our new 2013 RX350 Monday. Only one word describes this auto. WOW. It is everything we expected and more.

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  Reliable comfortable,and quick! - 2012 Lexus ES 350
  By Anthony J. Paparella - March 26 - 8:57 am

  I have owned this 2012 ES350 car for one year and find it to be a real fine vehicle.I do wish mine had navigation and a rear camera but most everything about the car is satisfactory so far.Plenty of pep,seats are comfortable (heated and cooled)and ride is excellent. I would say the ride is the best feature as it is quiet and smooth.As far as transmission and handling I would say it is adequate and could have used some improvement but definitely not a big deal. I would like to see a heated steering wheel and definitely an all wheel option for the ES350.I also have HID lighting where the lights turn with the angle of the road and those are great to have.I really dont know how it handles in snow as I dont drive it in the snow but use my wifes Toyota Rav 4 in wimter weather.We have owned Toyotas for 12 years now (though I do have a Corvette also) and their reliability has been nothing but fantastic for us.I would love to own a Lexus LS 460 AW drive but not sure if that will ever happen.Maybe if I get to old for my Corvette I can use that for a tradeup. Anyways Toyota-Lexus make great automobiles as far as my family is concerned and I recommend them.