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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  This is a great car! - 2012 Lexus CT 200H
  By irishpilot - January 9 - 4:33 am

  Extremely happy with the styling of this car! But most of all I love all the technologies! I like all the bells and whistles and this car has them all. Even my high school age daughter likes this purchase...hoping that it will be her car in couple of years. Very nice car by Lexus!

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  Exceeds Expectations - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By W.U. - January 8 - 11:10 pm

  One should expect a lot from a luxury car, especially when paying full MSRP. This vehicle exceeds all expectations. Im getting exactly the EPA mileage ratings of 31 city, 27 highway. Technical gadgetry is useful and operates flawlessly. Ride is smooth and as comfortable as my old Lincoln (this is my first SUV, so there was some trepidation). There have been many pleasant surprises and nothing unpleasant.

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  wonderful - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By jburke - January 8 - 10:00 am

  this suv is awesome. by far the best vehicle ive ever owned. navigator and escalade do not even compair. i highly recommend

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  Great car - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Donna Millard - January 8 - 10:00 am

  Greta cra, reliable, comfortable

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  I love my Lex - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Shar D. - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I got my new Lexus in December and have been very satisfied. It rides like a dream and handles beautifully. I got the mist green and the color is great. The steering wheel is so comfortable with its wood and leather inserts. It is a great looking car that lives up to the reputation of Lexus. I must say my dealer (Lexus of New Haven) has also been wonderful. Service is reliable and you are treated courteously. My husband drives a LS400 from them and we would not hesitate to purchase from them again. If you are considering a Lexus....go drive the ES330...youll be hooked.

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  Great Suv - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By marylandstar - January 8 - 10:00 am

  The only thing I would ask for would be a V-8. Dont use shiny armorall on the dash,it will cause real bad glare. Idrive this Suv alot and its Great no Problems. 40,000 miles since last sept when purchased only reg maintance.And much better service than american suvs like Lincoln.

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  Upgrade from my special edition Camry - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By xylver07 - January 7 - 5:40 pm

  What an upgrade so far. Ultra-powerful if you compare to 4 cylinder Camry. Nice black leather interior with metallic ruby exterior. I drive highway most of the time this one do the job perfectly and only put premium gas on it. Superb performance 31-32 mpg so far I would get set of new tires to avoid annoying road noise. I love it so far

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  Loaded with value - 2017 Lexus ES 350
  By Melvin Monconduit - January 7 - 12:17 pm

  Its not a hi performance car. Its extremely quiet and smoothness is very good. Technology is too complicated and distracting. The more you use it however, the easier it gets, especially if you can master the speech commands. Its Mark Levinson audio system is fantastic. Quality is evident in exterior paint, interior seating with adequate room for a 62" driver. Still bump my head occasionally on door opening, when exiting or entering drivers seat. I dont care for fake leather. Looks cheap in the cabin. However, it fulfills its entry level luxury car descriptions. I bought a Ultra Luxury package with panoramic roof, with all options offered, which overcame many of its shortcomings. I would not be happy with the ES350 equipped with a base or near base option package. My wife who is the main driver, shares my feelings on the technology, and is getting the hang of it. If youve ever owned a true luxury sedan, the Lexus ES350 is certainly a step down, but makes up for it with value, dependability, low maintenance cost, and low fuel cost.

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  Hot hot hybrid - 2012 Lexus CT 200H
  By carmageddon - January 6 - 5:35 am

  With the F-Sport package this things got kind of an upscale eco-friendly bad attitude look to it. And I love the modern wood and leather free interior; its about time that we start to see some new materials indoors. Powers on the light side, but handling with the sports package is definitely competitive with the Minis and GTIs of the world. But they dont get forty-something miles per gallon on regular now do they?

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  Love my Lexus - 2010 Lexus RX 450h
  By John Harvey - January 5 - 5:23 am

  This is my first Lexus. I bought the hybrid because I keep my cars at least 10 years. Gas prices probably will at least double in 10 years. Also the Rx 450h probably will have outstanding reliability like its predecessor. So far the car is fun to drive and it really encourages you to drive for mileage. In the first 900 miles we are averaging 27.5 miles per gallon in mostly highway driving.