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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  Pure Luxury - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By R and R - March 9 - 4:13 am

  This is a wonderful SUV with all the features you would expect from a luxury model vehicle. Best gas mileage compared to other luxury SUV.

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  Big transition from GS 430 - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By rnovaq71 - March 8 - 5:26 pm

  This LS460 is a big step from the 05 LS 430 I owned and a quantum leap from the 06 GS 430 I just traded up from. This LS 460 is some machine. It does everything well, drives like nothing else Ive driven. Just silky smooth!

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  THE BEST YET - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By alandgrace - March 8 - 4:30 pm

  I have owned 39 cars in the past 50 years including 1981 Imperial, 1977 New Yorker, 1962 Thunderbird,2002 Infiniti Q-45, 2006 Infiniti M, 2006 Lexus LS430, and this is the best yet. It outperforms the Q-45, handles better than the LS430, and is just as quiet as the LS430. The Nobel Spinael Mica is the most beautiful color I have ever owned. We drive 2500 miles to CA to visit the children and driving 600 miles a day in 4 days is a breeze. The gas mileage for a 380 HP engine is incredible. In our last trip to CA, we averaged 29 MPG. I have gotten as high as 31 MPG on a 500 mile round trip. No car is perfect, but this one is as close as I have ever owned.

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  Comfort and Response to Driver - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By lenengrad - March 8 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle will do exactly as you wish. The 8 cyl power allows you to pull out, pass, or drive on the interstates with full control. The driver has to be carefull of too much speed without realizing it , especially on interstate highways. A real pleasure place with lots of power.

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  What a SUV!!!! - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By Egidio - March 8 - 2:00 am

  i switch to a lexus from mercedes. I cant believe how comfortable this SUV is. Being stuck in traffic is very tolerable when I driving my LX470. Cant wait for a newer model to arrive!!!!

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  IS300 finally a car for the "twenties" - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By BostonBadBoy - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Classy yet fun! Lexus would have a hit a home fun if they offered a v8. I would die for a v8 coupe which is rumored to be coming out next summer *drools* I absolutely love the handling of this car the only downfall is the lack of power and I have a 5 speed manual! Also this car gets loose very easily be careful!

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  decent car, but........ - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By ugmike - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Only 1 trip to the dealer for a plastic piece falling off under the car. The main problem I have had with this car, is that the transmission acts confused sometimes. Sometimes when you press the gas, nothing happens for a second! Its like the engine/transmission programming is wacked or something. I read a couple magazines that mention this also. WAKE UP LEXUS! Also, this car shared too many parts with the Corolla, just look at the steering wheel. Performance is not great, its definitely no M3 by any means. For the price/performance, Im going to look at one of the new Acuras, they are incredible. it go. But it has been a good car.

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  Mixed Reviews - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Meow - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I LOVE the look of this car. I have gotten so many compliments on it. Ive always had BMWs and find this ride to be worse than the BMW. It has more horsepower than my BMWs, but it doesnt drive like a fast car. The interior is luxurious but a little tight. Stereo system rocks! Now the negatives, the seatbelts flap in the back when the top is down. The trunk never opens easily... you have to keep pushing the buttons and then you have to push the trunk down and finally it will click open. You cant put ANYTHING in it when the top is down. On the good side, there is nothing like cruising in the sunshine with the top down and tunes blaring.

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  Our new ES330 - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By sealion - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This is the 4th Lexus we have purchased, and they just seem to get better and better.

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  04 RX330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By AsC - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Excellant SUV with many safety features. Very reliable and has a smooth drive