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 Car Ever - 1998 Lexus LS 400
  By R Smalls - October 14 - 9:00 am

  I have had this car for 3 weeks and it is hard for me not to make excuses to drive somewhere. The comfort and quality is unmatched. I also enjoy the power of 290 HP which will sprint from a traffic light as fast as a sports car. All this and it is 8 years old!! I get so many stares and compliments that it makes me want to blush!This is definitely a car that I will keep for years to come. Oh yeah I was a little disappointed that I did not get the Nakamichi Stereo. No need to be the Lexus Premier system is also incredible. I compared the MB E430 and the GS 400 which I almost bought. But after driving the LS 400 it was the best of both worlds. Speed. Power. Luxury. Can you tell how much I like this car!!!!

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  The best SUV we have owned - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Geoff D - October 13 - 11:00 pm

  We own BMWs and Mercedes and this was our first Lexus. Overall it is my wifes favorite vehicle ever. Ride is superb, build quality and design excellent and lots of interior space. It has recorded on average 25mpg and is wonderfully quiet even under hard acceleration. Fabulous pickup in the 30 to 60 range. Our favorite vehicle to use on long runs from San Francisco to Seattle

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  Most trouble free I have ever had - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By kambiz - October 12 - 6:23 am

  In almost 100,000 miles on and off road driving this is the most trouble free car I have ever had. Brakes lasted 80k miles 100 percent joy to go off road and great in the city.

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  Perfomance of Excellence - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By K. Jenkins - October 12 - 2:00 am

  Im very pleased with the overall quality, performance, reliability and style of the ES 330.

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  Lx470 - 2005 Lexus LX 470
  By isaiah - October 9 - 1:53 pm

  I love the feeling when I wrap my hands around that wood trim steering wheel.The softy smooth whisper of the wind I here when I pull out in front of a car the humming of that 4.7V8 engine and the styling of the exterior.the smooth ride and the quick stopping brakes.this truck will blow your mind!!!!!!! this is the best luxury here!!!!!

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  A Great SUV - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By gatorone - October 8 - 7:00 pm

  Weve owned this one since new. With 70,000 miles reliability has been excellent. We keep the car away from the dealers to insure only the maintenance requirements specified in the owners manual are performed. After the initial two free services by the Lexus dealer, the car has never needed to go back. I would say the interior quality of the prior Lexus RX300 is a little better. Performance is best using premium fuel with little to no acceleration hesitation as you get with regular fuel. The original stock tires (Goodyear) were poor for this level of car. Ride and driving are fine. Pressure gradiant when one window open that you feel with the ears. We managed 28 mpg on highway.

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  A Great Car - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By George Yurch - October 7 - 5:36 am

  This is the type of automoble everyone should have the opportunity to own. It is such a great car to drive with no mechical problems. Just keep making the best car in the world. Weve owned 4 and will never own anything other than the best.

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  lexus - great job! - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By Clay - October 5 - 10:00 am

  i have 3 automobiles in my household. bmw 328i, lexus es300,lexus rx300. when we do get our car serviced both dealers give us rental cars to drive while being serviced,, we often ask for the is300 on purpose because that car is so much fun to drive,,i love it,,,i want to get a bmw330 because of the power and of course i am still a bmw die hard fan,,but i really love this is300,,,if they make a lexus is330- i am so there. clay-dallas,tx

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  Great car - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By lrbiloski - October 5 - 6:15 am

  I wanted to get a hybrid but not a Toyota... I am so happy with my choice! I have over 32,000 miles on my HS and have not had a single issue! The car is reliable and has great features - especially the ping to car directions. It was the first car I have ever purchased and am so glad I did.

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  FUN ON THE RUN! - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By dustytrail - October 1 - 10:00 am

  I love it lexus delivers. Its my toy to get away from the "real world" and have a symphony on the road! Its the volkswagen I always wanted on steroids! An indulgence well worth it 20 yrs marriage 20 years working and 20 minutes and the dealership had me out of there!!!!!