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:

• 

  My glowing perception of our LX470 - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By lexyplu - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is definitely a run for its money. Though ours cost over $70,000, our family has grown to love it. This is our second LX470 and we have no intention of living life without it. It is powerful enough to drive up steep hills, yet luxurious enough for the driver to forget that they are driving an SUV. The 8 plush leather seats accomodate the whole family and provide enough comfort to endure long journeys. The Bose sound system plays loud and clear and helps us enjoy our drives even more. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone who has a taste for luxury but needs to transport a truckload of people. Definitely a 20 out of 10.

• 

  headturner - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By man hoang - January 24 - 10:00 am

  after over a year that i got this sc430, i still have the same feeling every time i drive it. fascinating.thrilled.

• 

  Great smaller SUV - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Terry B - January 23 - 1:13 am

  Lots of negative review but it is starter luxury SUV for this price The ride compared to two previous ES 350 is just fine. The gas mileage is down from 27 average to 19.5 but it is a SUV. Very limited wind noise and quietness of vehicle is very much Lexus. I have gotten out of vehicle with it still running but in park several times. Love the storage area with only two rows of sits suit my lifestyle. I didnt get the nav,love the screen display of various settings. I am a 64 yr old and not your typical RX buyer. I personally think it is a great buy with the improved features for 2010. It sounds to me a lot the complainers should not be in a beginner luxury Suv but a lower value SUV.

• 

  Awesome SUV - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Tony - January 23 - 12:56 am

  I bought one of the first RX 330s that ever came out I got it on March 2003 Ive nver had series problem with my RX 330 and it has 33500 miles, only oil changes to date and one set of tires. I leased it for 3 yrs and Im thinking of buying it after the lease is over.

• 

  I got a kid but I still like to drive - 2008 Lexus IS F
  By domino - January 22 - 7:03 pm

  I spent the first 45 years of my life single and without any kids. Ive driven everything from Vipers, to Jags, a host of AMGs, not to mention 1 Aston Martin. I thought about dropping the amount of money for an M5 but then I thought, I have a little girl. I need to spend the money on her. I decided on the IS-F. I drive it daily, like a normal person with my family and like a maniac when Im alone. So far no problems and nothing but sheer fun. I wish the Lexus people had thought to put adjustable shocks in it to dampen the ride when necessary but oh well. I can always get new kidneys when Im 80.

• 

  IS 300 - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By frankr - January 22 - 12:03 pm

  This is a great, fun to drive car. I recommend anyone in the market for a car similar to this class to take it for a test drive, you wont be disappointed.

• 

  Love my RX - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By JoshB - January 20 - 8:40 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned or been in. The ride is amazing and the design is unmatched. I have had it for 3 weeks now and it is the best decision Ive ever made. I looked at the Acura MDX and BMW X3, and the RX far exceeds those in every category in my opinion.

• 

  Best car experience. vanilla ice cream - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Robert in Miami - January 18 - 10:50 am

  Bought the ES300 with 6 years and 36,000 miles on it. It was essentially as good as new, as it had been maintained by a Lexus dealership and driven less than 6,000 miles a year. Ive driven it 12,000 miles in the first year and it has been just like the first year of a new car. No troubles at all. Flawless. A superbly built and engineered car, it does everything well and smoothly. I have noticed slight "hiccups" in the transmission but is hard to tell the conditions that create it. It happens about every 100 miles or so. Power is more than adequate but its not a muscle car by any stretch. The local Lexus dealer service dept. advised me I will need to replace the engine mounts at 60,000K.

• 

  most fun for the dollar - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By tanyboy - January 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is just very fun to drive. Besides the marginal fuel economy, the car just has plenty to offer...handling,styling, and pricing a dream come true!

• 

  My Review - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By EscaladeXS500 - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I think this is one of the best convertibles out there, the backseat is a little small, but still usefull for luggage and other things, and the hard top is great for rain because you can barely even hear it, i love this car, and it definately blows the competition out of the water.