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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  IS 300 - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By E M - December 23 - 2:00 am

  Very fun to drive.

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  nice ride, mdx has better nav/bluetooo - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By sf94123 - December 21 - 8:53 am

  its like driving a lincoln towncar on stilts. very comfortable for freeway driving. one complaint is that the navigation and bluetooth features dont work nearly as well or intuitively as the mdx we looked at. the manual for those isnt very good either.

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  A great luxury suv - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Tina - December 20 - 1:06 pm

  The RX330 has a quiet, comfortable ride. All the basic functions are at your fingertips. The navigation system is superb and an absolute must. The sound system (standard with navigation) is very enjoyable. There are many neat little features which add to the enjoyment of driving this vehicle.

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  LOVE MY LEXUS - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By LOVE IT - December 20 - 12:13 pm

  Took Delivery at the end of February. My ONLY regret was not getting the Nav system w/back up camera (hubby still insists it wasnt necessary). I just enjoy driving this vehicle. Will probably buy it at the end of the lease. Surprised by the good service center. Routine work was done quickly, but they still loaned me a car for my convenience. When my mom lost her hearing aid, they took out the seats to search, and when they finished they told me there was no charge. I was shocked, and now my mom is planning to buy a car from them.

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  I will buy another - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By Kevin - December 20 - 10:56 am

  This car may not be the sportiest or fastest sedan to drive, but comfort and reliability are excellent. I cant wait to buy my next one but since this just keeps running with no problems, it may be awhile.

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  First Lexus - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By Jan McMahon - December 20 - 4:44 am

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  Buy one - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Herc - December 20 - 4:20 am

  The ES 350 is again designed to be a smaller LS package. Most features found on the LS line are also available or already on the new ES. Ride is excellent, looks great. Could do without keyless issues but getting used to that.

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  Nearly Flawless - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By Dave D - December 19 - 3:36 pm

  This is my 4th Lexus and my first LS and it wont be my last. This is a true work of art and a brilliant machine. The car rockets from zero to 60, opens up and is cruise-like at 70 MPH plus. The ride is so quiet and serene it is easy to forget you are actually in a car even at high speeds. The LS is unbelievably quiet even at all speeds & in the city. Even driving at 50 MPH with the sun roof open is quieter than most vehicle with a closed sunroof. The interior is impeccable and is likely nicer than many living rooms you will encounter. The car surrounds you in luxury at every turn from the plush heated/vented seats and roomy feel to the easy to reach controls and tech features. Overall a gem.

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  2nd IS300 - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By vlad_a - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Car enthusiast... I just purchased my second IS300. Manual this time, only auto was available in 2001. This is an amazing vehicle. Handling is great and predictable, styling is perfect. For those complaining about bad handling in snow - get snow tires!

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  Impressive Ride & Luxury - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By BKB - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I have been very pleased with the car and the dealership service. I had also bought my wifes RX300 from the same dealership, Sterling McCall in Houston, TX. It have very please and it exudes pure luxury. Also, while it is not sporty like a BMW, etc. it is plenty fun to drive around town. It will make you question the justification for the higher prices of the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E-Class can be so much more expensive. I have not had any of the transmission problems mentioned on the message boards.