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:

• 

  Its a lexus? its not a lexus family - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By ShoeBox - February 26 - 10:00 am

  If you can afford IS300, Im pretty sure you have many other car to buy. I already bought IS300 on 2001, I didnt have that choice back then. IS300 looked the best at that time, but now If you want to buy a new IS300, I dont think you should consider getting one. Why? The seat lumbar support sucks for 6 ft tall people. Its too low. Its too small. Handling is okay. Engine is good, but for that low hp with the bad gas milleage, thats a big no no. Small power with crazy gas milleage? You should consider about that. You can buy Acura TL, Infinity G35 coupe, Audi A4, Saab 9-3, etc. I regret buying IS300.

• 

  Love it! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Mrs. Rogers - February 25 - 11:33 am

  My husband and I wanted an SUV and the Lexus RX 400h was an obvious choice. It doesnt take premium fuel like comprable models which adds to the gas affordability of driving a hybrid. I previously drove a BMW 330xi and thought that the transition to an SUV would be remarkable, however the Lexus is built on a Camry frame, so I dont feel as though I am towering over other vehicles. The only obstacle we have experienced was that the cross bars are not stable enough for a bike rack, so those must be purchased and installed. Also, a towing hitch can only be optained as a post-factory dealer installation for around $7000. Consider your recreational requirements before purchase.

• 

  Lexus surprises me again - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By jay24 - February 25 - 10:05 am

  I took delivery of this car recently for my wife. This is the third Lexus I have owned in the last 20 years. The car has attributes that arent discussed in reviews. Example it emits an purposeful sound when driving slowly in EV mode to alert pedestrians to your presence. The stereo without the Mark Levinson upgrade is impressive especially with a whisper quiet interior. As to noise levels, Lexus has not insulated us from outside sounds but dialed them down somehow. I like the ratcheted head rests and the seats. I see no need for a gear shift yet one is there. Interior lighting is dynamic in that evidently it changes depending on what you are doing.

• 

  Looks nice at first but..... - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By 2 time RX330 owner - February 24 - 8:03 am

  My 2004 RX330 had 20k miles and was LEXUS CERTIFIED. I owned the vehicle approx 70 day of this over 35 days were spent in the shop. The dealership was nice and offered to replace it with a new one "of course for MORE MONEY". I was assured that this was an "out of the ordinary situation" WRONG! My 2005 Rx330 still has a rattling sound in the rear drivers 1/4 panel at highway speeds (70+), after dealing with the dealer for several months I finally took some fishing string and wrapped it around the flemsy plastic clamp to stop the rattlle. It also has a nagging delay when accelerating from near stop (this is only on AWD vehicles). A 2WD loaner and it drove ok.

• 

  Simply Amazing - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By Geno - February 22 - 3:13 am

  I just purchased my new RX 350 a few weeks ago and this is one amazing SUV. I had the RX 300 a few years ago and the worst thing that I could have done was trade it in for something sub- par. Ive had everything from Acura to Audi, Infiniti to Volvo and nothing compares to this SUV. The ride and the cabin are so quiet and smooth as silk. If you are in the market for a new SUV that will make the neighbors jealous park this baby in your driveway and watch what happens. These are my opinions and I purchased this car based on my needs and likes, but again this SUV is simply amazing. I would definitely add this to your line up of test drives.

• 

  Poor successor to the past - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Sailor - February 19 - 8:40 pm

  This is the fourth RX I have owned and by far the least satisfying and most troublesome. The front bumper kept popping out of the clips, the car creaked and snapped on the freeway and the steering wheel was off level even after three tries to align it. After it suffered a freeway debris hit to the nose the body shop replaced the front bumper and it fit perfectly. The car was realigned and the steering wheel leveled by an outside alignment shop. How come a body shop could fix what the dealer never could and why did all those things need fixing in the first place? For approximately 60,000 a Lexus shouldnt need those kind of repairs just to look and run right. Advice to buyers: DONT!

• 

  HYBRID MAN - 2016 Lexus RX 450h
  By Paul Levine - February 19 - 4:13 pm

  The vehicle is great .Only shortcoming is visibility in the rear

• 

  Lexus LS 430 - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By mike siegel - February 19 - 10:00 am

  Best car I have ever driven.

• 

  Awesoem Car - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By zach451 - February 19 - 10:00 am

  this car is the best out f all suvs! Luxury, Intelligince, Technology, Smart People!

• 

  new owner - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By mike Rush - February 19 - 2:13 am

  Ive only had this SUV for one week and I love. I have driven the lexus ES 300 from 1992 to 1998- 2 cars. I leased the GS 300 2 years ago. As mentioned , I just leased this SUV and its great.