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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  Best SUV and No Regrets!! - 2006 Lexus GX 470
  By Kevin - December 18 - 4:06 pm

  I test drove almost everything out there... nothing could compare to the GX 470. It is a reliable and safe SUV. I think it has the best Luxury and features when compared to the SUVs I mentioned. The one thing that made me buy GX 470 was the Sports suspension (KDSS), makes body roll almost non-existant. I have put over 6000 miles on SUV and never had any regrets or wanted any other SUV.

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  I would buy it again. - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By Alex Azev - December 17 - 8:06 pm

  Great SUV, best ride ever. Could have more room between the front seats. Good gas mileage, not as expected but good enough. Ive been driving it since February/06 and cant get over how quiet it is. Im never tired of driving this car.

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  Bumper defect - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Marc - December 15 - 10:03 am

  Several problems with my wifes car. First, the front right bumper pops out since the car was new. The dealership says we damaged it, but we didnt. Access to the charger is difficult if not impossible. Controls for seat heaters are difficult to access. Changing the tirp computer is impossible while driving because the controls are obscured by the steering wheel. Also, the general quality of materials is poor, easily scratched with normal use. For instance, the plastic trim in rear hatch scratches easily if brushed with objects placed into the car. After a short while, there are many scratches and abrasions appearing. Materials less durable than BMW or Land Rover.

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  Nothing Like It - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By fortunate1 - December 14 - 1:10 pm

  There is no other car like this on the market. I drove both Toyota hybrids and the Ford Fusion and they simply are not in the same league in terms of either performance or comfort. It is obviously more expensive, but in this case you get what you pay for; you dont even have to drive them, you can just sit in them--though driving will further substantiate the differences. If you want a diesel, get a diesel; the A3 and 335d are different cars that meet different needs and expectations; I live in an area where many of their advantages are mitigated by traffic. This is the paradigm of the car of the next 5 years.

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  Most significant change auto tech 50yrs - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By chrisw8595 - December 13 - 9:50 pm

  Amazing grace! It has everything, luxury, mileage, and pick up! Every gadget and comfort. Like Bentley or RR started over and built the best SUV they could ever imagine, and outdid themselves. I am second in line (here in FL) for the new Lexus GS 430 with Hybrid technology coming out next spring. All Lexus will have Hybrid engine by end of 2007. All auto makers will have to run to catch up!

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  Great Car - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By El Paso - December 13 - 11:30 am

  I owned a 2004 RX330. Lexus has not changed much in the area of style which is a good thing. The highest millage I have seen is 31mpg. My average is 27.6 mpg. The power is great. I do find myself driving with more sense trying to get the best MPG which is also a good thing.

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  Perfection - 1996 Lexus LS 400
  By Lex Lover - December 13 - 10:00 am

  The No1 car on the market. Real quiet, smooth ride, No problems in over 40,000.

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  An Awesome and Fun Ride - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Dan Stempkowski - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This car is guaranteed to turn heads. The convenience of a hard top convertible is something you cant imagine until you own one. The interior design....from heated seats to incredible speakers to virtually everthing around you automatic...it is a future world experience. The best of both worlds in that you enjoy the sportiness of the convertible and the luxury of leather and fully automated interior. An awesome and fun ride.

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  Designer Review - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Dennis Kluge - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I am an Interior Designer and I have been driving the SC for two years now (I was able to buy one of the very first in the country. The power is awesome, the interior is incredibly roomy (for two,tight for four). Everything just works together for a fantastic ownership experience. Oh, and the truck fits a suit bag and two duffle bags WITH THE TOP DOWN!!!!! If you drive it in winter, get the snow tires...and it handles like a dream!!!!

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  2004 GX470 - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By mw1862 - December 13 - 10:00 am

  I have driven the GX for 1 week now. We are extremely pleased with this SUV. The navigation system is fairly easy to use and the Mark Levinson stereo is excellent. This is our 3rd Lexus. Needless to say that we have been extremely satisfied.