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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  betty - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By starshyne81 - April 18 - 10:00 am

  it is an awesome car and drives good and love the design dont change it.

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  Lexus RX 300. The right Rx for the blahs - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By Zelion - April 18 - 10:00 am

  Having driven almost every type and year of automobile ever made, I have found the RX300 to be the best all around car to have. Its versatile in every dimension. It has everything NEEDED and most WANTED features in one reasonably affordable package. Some people accuse us of being rich. They spent more on their Chevy pickup or custom van, which doesnt have the versatility or a "WOW" factor of 1, than we did on a "LEXUS". Luxury, quality, dependability, versatilty all in one. What a great concept!

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  Love the car - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By JPeterson - April 18 - 10:00 am

  Wanted the security of hard top but also wanted a convertible. Had a Mercedez two seater prior to this car and I liked it but the SC430 at least has room for groceries or small children in back seat. Handles well, great performance. Completely pleased with this car.

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  Great ride - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By t. brick - April 17 - 7:00 pm

  I bought my GX last month after owning 3 land cruisers. Faster, better handling, more comfortable and of course more luxurious than my Cruisers. Should have bought 2 since my wife drives it everyday. ( and her car is a SLC 230 Kompressor )

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  the new ES 350 : how can the best be better ? - 2013 Lexus ES 350
  By mitchellrowe - April 17 - 5:09 am

  Review: The ES 350 IS BETTER than all the previous ES cars since the 1st one rolled off the line in Japan in 1991 , as a 1992 . It is 4 " longer ( back seat leg room ) gorgeous style that is now common to the GS and LS ( family resemblence ) front and back anti sway bars , with self adjustable shocks and struts . RUNS STRAIGH DOWN THE ROAD LIKE AN ARROW FROM THE BOW .. EVEN ON TILTED NJ ROADS . very powerful and 21 to 30 mpg on regular 87 octane . madnificant perforated leather , hot seats , climate control copied from the LS , electric steering , drive by wire , zf auto tranny , huge trunk , 1st class aluminum wheels.

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  Go Gita! - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By Gray Gita - April 16 - 9:50 am

  The SportCross is a small wagon with a Supra engine. It moves like a cat and stops on a dime. Add a turbo and run with M3 BMWs but for thousands less. The car has an aggressive, naughty stance. Interior is sporty not luxurious. With the seats down, I have loaded five kitchen cabinets with room to spare. The rear floor lowers for added flexibility; there are several stealth storage areas and hooks for tie- down straps. Called the Altezza Gita in Japan, accessories, such as a roof rack, are available via importers. The SportCross is both practical and fun. If you want soft luxury get a different Lexus. If you want to ride a unicorn while everyone else is on a horse, get a SportCross.

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  Our First Lexus - 2006 Lexus RX 330
  By B.LEAMON - April 15 - 6:26 am

  Weve driven Toyota products for the past 8 years and decided to upgrade to the Lexus this year. The "RX 330" fit all our needs and we are delighted with it so far. I cant see us driving anything else in the future, this vehicle is perfect for us. It is "eerily" quiet and smooth and handles deceptively well. The sound system is great and the” creature comforts" are outstanding.

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  Lexus gets it right - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By ron a - April 13 - 11:06 pm

  I traded my 2001 Mercedes ML 330 for the Lexus 400h. What a great car. The ride and handling are great and on par with the Mercedes. Real world gas mileage is between 26 - 28. I have not owned the car long but absolutely no problems. I would definitely recommend this car to others. The other SUVs on the market have a lower base price but by the time you put the options on them to make them comparable the Lexus is not much more. Even the RX 330 is not much less with similar equipment plus the Feds give you a $2,000 tax deduction because of the hybrid technology and low emissions

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  Dream Car Comes True - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Dream car comes true - April 12 - 5:03 am

  Love my ES 350 2007, very smooth ride, perfect handling and comfortable.

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  Perfect - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By The TB - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Perfect!!!! There are no problems with this car!