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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  LS 430 - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By ig3 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Have had top of line lexus since 1990. Can not believe the change, over time, in this model. The 1990 was great, the 1997 better than great, the 2000, better than that one, but the 2003 takes the cake. I wonder how this automobile can get any better.

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  Love my Lexus!! - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By AliCor - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I am driving my second LX470, I will never settle for another vehicle. It is comfortable, safe, and ergonomically superior to any other car Ive driven. I told my husband the only way Ill give up this car is if he buys me a new LX470. Ive owned a Mercedes suv and that didnt compare.

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  My 2nd is better than the 1st - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By dogallama - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 2...bt far beats the competition hands down...no issues with performance...unmatched off road...and the quality is paramount to any vehicle I have ever owned. They retain value and that is almost impossible with a car, but not with the LX470 or any Lexus for that matter.

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  LX 470 - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By rkisaacs - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Wonderfully smooth and quiet ride, incredibly maneuverable and near- perfect road performance. My only problem with this gem is with the interior design, specifically with the seats. There are so many buttons and lights, but its fun to figure them all out.

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  Our 3rd LX 470 - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By CamOwens - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Without qualification, the best vehicle in its class. Nothing else out there gives us what the LX 470 does. We will continue to be loyal customers until when and if someone designs and builds a better model, which I suspect will also be Lexus.

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  All the car w/o the snob of BMW - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By DanG - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I just drove my home the IS300 sportsdesign in Thundercloud Gray color. All the bells and whistles that come standard on the sportsdesign minus the Navigation system. I swapped out the 11 spoke rims for the orginal 5 spoke style because I liked the sporty look of the 5 spoke much better. This Car is a very smooth ride, and fast! I drove the BMW330 and the Audi A4 1.8T. Forget the A4 if your looking for performance! The beemer was pretty even, but the Lexus was roomier in the front seat and just a much less old man feeling car. The all weather tires handle like rails. not sure what the big deal some make about that is. I highly recommend this car!

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  Las Vegas Lexus - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By LASVEGASLEXUSTOM - October 24 - 10:00 am

  What a vehicle! Lexus has outdone itself. Who else would do all the paperwork, PDI, and then drive 75 miles from the dealership right to my front door to deliver me this flying 747? Only Lexus Carlsbad would..no one else in town would even think of doing something like that.

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  Love those Toyotas/Lexus - 2009 Lexus ES 350
  By Fred - October 21 - 7:23 am

  Before buying this Lexus, I previously owned two Toyotas. So far, my Lexus lives up to the same reliability. Power, looks, features, you cant go wrong. I love the navigation and audio. Acceleration is smooth and it rides quiet. This car is roomy in the front and back. I test drove the Acrua TL and the Volvo S60, but neither was as exciting as my ES350. The fall back is that some of the amenities look and feel cheap especially the trunk handles. You only get two keys. Even though I have park assist, I still find it difficult looking over my shoulder backing up and I also find the seating uncomfortable after driving long periods of time. I would buy this car again.

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  Awesome - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By gysor - October 19 - 6:56 pm

  cool

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  Nice car - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Joe - October 19 - 4:46 pm

  This is quite a nice car! It has a comfy interior with a nice GPS, and is quiet like Lexus is supposed to be. I dont really enjoy the jerks this car gives me, but other than that, its great.