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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  Lives up to the Lexus name! - 2011 Lexus RX 350
  By Keith - February 26 - 10:26 am

  This SUV is everything you expect in a Lexus: comfortable, quiet and reliable. A couple of the features I really like are the steering headlights and the ventilated seats. The only real disappointment is the navigation system which only allows voice access when driving, which really limits what you can do with it. For example, you cant get it to look up a POI in a given city, it will only tell you POIs near you.

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  2001 LS430 I love it. - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Tony vastola - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I got the car with the sports package so the car is just about perfect with its overall handling to ride. I love the car, but it seems Im the only one driving this car who is under 60.

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  Fantastic Car - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By Not Acura - February 25 - 10:00 am

  The quality, the ride, and the salesmanship of the this Lexus became the only reason why I purchase this vehicle. Owning this vehicle for less than 1 month, the enjoyment that I got from it is second to none. Perfect seat support, quiet and smooth ride, silky smooth engine (though it is only a 3.0L), center information panel (either you love it or you hate it), and the second to none Lexus service and salesman attitude. If I decide to buy another car, Lexus will be my first choice.

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  I Love This Car! - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By Bluesky74 - February 22 - 6:03 pm

  I have had my new wheels for almost a week and really like this car. I am a first time Lexus owner and so far i have been blown away by the service. I am getting an avg of 35mpg on my first tank of gas with equal city/highway driving. I have not been disappointed with power to get on the highway etc... The destination assist has already proven useful when traveling on the road. If you are looking for something upscale, green and cool then look no more!

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  First SUV - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Johnsinker - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Vehicle is an absolute dream! Only "negative" is some wind noise due to the large Rear View Mirrors and Luggage rack. Drives like a car, and feels safe. Not like many other SUVs that do not drive like a car. Expect Reliability to be excellant. this redesigned RX has so many features, I have not been able to find them all

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  Best... Hands down - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By B-Pak - February 21 - 3:56 pm

  Guys, I drove everything... From Benz to Jaguar. Nothing has the quality, class, luxury, or reliability of the Lexus. The car sounds like its off while you driving on the freeway, its that quiet! This is hands down the best sedan on the market today. Sorry to the benz, BMW and jag loyalists out there. The Lexus is the king.

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  Delighted Customer - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Mary Spendy - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Incredibly quiet with excellent performance. Reliability beyond expectations. Customer service has no equal. Fuel economy is great considering the performance. 20+ MPG including city driving.

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  great car! - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By pleased - February 20 - 10:00 am

  just bought the car 2 hours ago, and boy to do I love ultra-luxury package! great value. had considered 745i/Li and S500; LS430 is the best car in the world!

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  97 ES 300 - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By lexuslarry - February 20 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. Totally reliable with lots of style and performance and a great interior!

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  2 Months and still smilen - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Mindbogler - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Tradded in my 99 Caddy on this 03 ES and am really happy with the car. I get home from work and the car will not turn down my street, have to go around the block a few times.