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:

• 

  Great Car but ... the Paint! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus for Life - December 10 - 10:56 pm

  Purchased this car in 2004 with 64K. Replaced timing belts, perform regular oil change and its been a worry free car ever since. Nice, reliable, smooth, quiet, tranquil rides. We had great luck with previous ES 300 (96) so its natural to get another Lexus. Love the center console for storage & arm rest. The only complaint ... the PAINT, Its a joke! Paint around the contour on both mirrors peels off slowly.

• 

  mkd - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Marie - December 10 - 7:26 am

  I love this vehicle. It fits like a designer suit and is lots of fun to drive. Many SUVs drive like a truck. Not the Lexus RX 330. Its all about comfort and luxury. When I see it from a distance I have to pinch myself to realize that I really do own this piece of art on wheels. The RX 330 is one of the most beautiful vehicles on the road.

• 

  Lexus RX is still the best forever - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By suryanto santoso - December 8 - 12:46 am

  I have been driving my new Lexus RX since 2004 and feel very comfortable. A lovely car to drive, backup by reputable brand and have very good resale value. This luxury SUV is very appropriate for a long trip. Altough the fuel consumption a bit greedy, yet it can be compensated with its performance.

• 

  My GS - 2000 Lexus GS 300
  By jblexgs - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Flawless, solid. Feels and performs like a new car after 48,000 miles. Build quality is beyond anything in its class. I know why the doemstics are dying.

• 

  The best - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By Alvin - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Just the best Out there. I will buy another

• 

  Quiet and smooth - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Ravens - December 4 - 10:00 am

  Love the comfortable seats as this is my office away from home. I wanted a car that would last as long as my payments. I drive 40k a year so I took the lease for 39 months and will buy it at the end . the lease payments are 399 cant beat the price. I was a GM man now a lexus driver for ever. I noticed the transmission pause as noted in other reviews hope it is software as noted would love to see this fix as it is the only coplaint I have. One thing I would like to see is a power outlet on the dash for my cell phone

• 

  Wouldnt Trade It For Anything - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By YellowIS - November 30 - 10:26 pm

  This car has been a blast to drive since day one, never failing my expectations, nor failing to put a smile on my face. The lines of the car are only appreciated when hand washing and waxing the car. One of the smartest decisions I have ever made was purchasing this vehicle.

• 

  Lexus BX470 - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By ivy - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE IT! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT AND IT SITS NICE AND HIGH, SO YOU CAN SEE ALL AROUND

• 

  Awesome LX470 - 2002 Lexus LX 470
  By mej - November 28 - 10:00 am

  By far, this is the ultimate SUV. Nothing else compares with the quality and features.

• 

  toy - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By ramaquois - November 28 - 10:00 am

  this is the best riding car i have owned. it is my third lexus first sc. it is the absolute worst car in any amount of snow. it gets no traction regardless of the snow control gadgits on the dash. the dealership, with tongue in cheek, stated that you shouldnt use it in any snow.