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:

• 

  Lots of pluses, lots of minuses - 2009 Lexus GX 470
  By CA driver - November 30 - 12:06 pm

  Our old car was a Ford expedition (Eddie bauer 2003) and I wanted to downsize. We shopped through lots of suvs and finally settled on the gx470. There were a couple of requirements: smaller size and tough four wheel drive vehicle, along with great reliability. The gx met these requirements. But, the interior left so much lacking. I wanted the quality of a Japanese built car and this is built in Japan, but this suv was designed for the Japanese. The seats are way too small (no one should buy this vehicle that is anywhere near 6 feet tall) and the drivers compartment is cramped—base of seat is inches shorter than the expedition, ashtrays everywhere but no personal storage.

• 

  Good Car Better Dealer - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By dougsc - November 26 - 3:23 am

  This is a great car. It is comfortable, easy to drive and quite utilitarian. The buying experience was outstanding and the service experience has been excellent. I have been waiting for over a week for a new brake booster, which seems to be a somewhat common problem. Dealer was conscious of my needs and provided a loaner (an RX-330). If something is broken they fix it. I want my next vehicle to be a Lexus, too.

• 

  Outstanding Vehicle - 2010 Lexus ES 350
  By Ed from NY - November 24 - 10:30 am

  Smooth, Quiet, comfortable and powerful. Loaded with hi-tech useful features. The new enform system is outrageous. No longer have to struggle setting the Nav system. Push a button and tell the attendant where you want to go and presto its set. Mark Levinson stereo system is amazing, you have to hear it. Many previous options like XM radio and rain sensing wipers are now standard. Features are too numerous to mention here. The car is just a pleasure to drive, sit back and watch the miles disappear and arrive refreshed. We are enjoying the quality experience this automobile offers. Very reliable, this is my 3rd ES in the last 10 years. I have yet to bring one in for anything but reg. service.

• 

  Lexus SC 430 - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By Greg - November 24 - 1:33 am

  Ive enjoyed the SC 430 - good power, handling and comfort in a very solid platform. Quality is first rate, and customer support is the best there is. Although small, the availability of 2 seats for small children is a plus.

• 

  Great car - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By kthakore - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I love almost everything about the car. I test drove and BMW 325CI also but if you ask me, this car drives way smoother than the BMW.

• 

  excellent car - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By ccunning - November 23 - 2:00 am

  I was looking at the IS 300, Audi A4 1.8T, Subaru Impreza WRX, and Infiniti G35. The Audi handled horribly and had an ugly interior and the G35 is too new and has no manual transmission. The WRX was a good car, but couldnt match the refinement of the IS. Its the perfect blend of smooth refinement and performance. The WRX has better magazine numbers, but only due to an AWD launch, the IS is just as fast in the real world. The IS is tuned to a more euro feel, whereas the WRX is softer and more rally tuned. I prefer the tightness of the IS.

• 

  lexus rx300 - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By winter - November 23 - 2:00 am

  excellent no complaints only drawback is the turning radius is a bit wide so there is some difficulty parking in small spaces. The power is also a little lacking but this is made up for by a very luxurious ride.

• 

  Disappointed that we arent even getting 20mpg - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Love Lexus - November 21 - 11:43 pm

  Im not sure yet on how this Lexus will do with reliability but I do love Lexus. I never write these things but I am very disappointed that we arent even getting 20mpg. The dealership told me this vehicle was never designed to get good mpg, just cleaner emissions and slightly more horsepower over the 330. I would still buy an rx or gx but not the hybrid. I paid extra thinking I would save on gas and am very disappointed.

• 

  Shaimayns opinion - 2006 Lexus SC 430
  By shaimayn - November 21 - 8:46 pm

  Ive driven many luxury cars, and this by far is my favorite because it is an affordable sports car with a sophisticated, rich look about it. It drives amazing, with absolutely no road noise, which a lot of the other sports cars had. This is my second SC 430, and thus far have had no issues with anything.

• 

  2008 LS 460 - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By ken - November 21 - 6:56 pm

  We went with the Black, with Tan Interior. Great car, I get total strangers coming up to me and telling me what a great looking car I have. That never gets old. Rides great, very comfortable, easy to use nav, love the back up camera and sensors, door auto close and trunk auto open and close, heated and cooled front seats and heated rear. Fair gas mileage, about 17 in town and 19 on Highway. This is well worth the money, will never own anything else.