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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  A Reasonably Priced Unisex Car - 2016 Lexus RX 450h
  By rky - October 17 - 12:02 am

  This is not a Porsche, BMW, Audi, nor is it Mercedes. Its a Lexus, a fancy Toyota. I bought it because Toyota has a long history of reliable hybrid cars. I had a Porsche 928, two Corvettes, and a Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4. I miss the GT VR4. Im over 60 and wanted the biggest Japanese hybrid money can buy. But after I bought it I heard that Acura will have a hybrid MDX in mid year 2017. The MDX has a superior all wheel drive system that can isolate 100% of the power to any one wheel at a time - SH-AWD. Acura claims 26 mpg combined on its hybrid. Lexus claims 30 mpg combined. But on the econ setting I am getting 31.8 to 32 mpg. I currently have 665 miles on the car. I traded in an 2012 MDX Advanced. An all gas version that delivered 16 mpg combined. Anyway, it was time to go conservative and green. I like the aggressive front grill and the f sport badge even if it does nothing for performance. 0-60 is a sad 7.9 seconds. Hardly quick but adequate to merge into highway traffic. But I am driving in a way that you would expect a senior citizen to drive, like a turtle who had instant oatmeal for breakfast. I just hope the curtain airbags will protect my frail aging frame from any potential collision and that I continue to drive this fancy car into my 80s.

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  Throaty noise in low gear - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Baker - October 16 - 12:44 am

  Evidently Lexus has a problem with the muffler system in many of the 2017 RX 350s. Makes a growling sound and vibrates in lowest gear when on an incline. Technician sd Lexus is working on a fix! The technician at dealership said the muffler noise problem seems to be more prevalent in the vehicles coming from Canada rather than the ones from Japan. Recommendation: Drive the one you are going to buy and put it on a fairly steep incline while in lowest gear. The noise from the muffler is a low roar with vibration felt in the steering wheel. Smooths out as you pick up speed. Occurs mostly at 1500-1800 rpm. I find it irritating, some may not!

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  Great car to own - 1995 Lexus LS 400
  By KenF - October 14 - 10:00 am

  You cant go wrong with this car. It is built solid and made to run. Im in sales and depend on a vehicle to be dependable and look great too. This one has exceeded my expectations in every way. Also, people assume you spent a lot more for it than most other vehicles. For that reason, it gives a small level of prestige to the owner...if that is important to you. To me, the value of owning it has been its flawless dependability. Even if it is a little more expensive to maintain, it is worth every bit. Toyota/Lexus builds super vehicles!

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  Second Time Around - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Genius Somewhat - October 14 - 10:00 am

  We own two SUVs by Lexus, a 1999 RX300 and an RX330. We have been very happy with both of them. The only problem we have had to contend with is the steering wheel locking and the key not turning. This has caused panic, dilemna, and anxiety. Luckily, we have been able to get it started finally but it has taken help at times.

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  Lexus RX 330 is a quality Luxury SUV - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By NSMan - October 14 - 10:00 am

  My goal when I arrived financial was to buy a Lexus as payment for all my hard work. This year was that year, I set out to buy a Lexus and fell in love with the new RX 300. So far it has proven to be the quality I expected from a Lexus. I feel secure knowing that I have purchased on of the finest made automobiles in the world.

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  My Lexus - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By lexy5 - October 13 - 4:34 am

  I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my truck. I bought it used. I was skeptical at first because it had a lot of miles on it, but this truck rides like a 2011, its smooth, comforable and reliable. The interior is beautiful and I always get compliments on it. People actually think my truck is a 2009. I have not had ANY problems out of it. I was actually thinking about getting the BMW X5, but boy im glad I didnt. I could go on and on about my Lexy, but if you have one you know the feeling.

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  Awesome !! - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Stephy - October 9 - 11:23 pm

  I love this car. It is fun, beautiful, all the luxury you would expect from a lexus. Super smooth. You cant even feel the road. You cant hear the engine, and a very quiet ride. Its a very comfortable ride, plenty of space, front and back. Big trunk. I would recommend this car to anyone.

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  New to Lexus - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By New Owner - October 9 - 3:43 am

  This is the first Lexus I have owned. Overall I am very happy with the car. The ride is smooth and quiet, even at 80 MPH. The cooled seats are a great feature. The only fit and finish issues I have are that the driver console (window buttons) keeps lifting off. I have been to the dealer twice and its still not right. The sun roof also has a dull rattle when its either very hot or very cold out. Other issues with the car are that the transmission lurches when taking off from an incomplete stop. The headroom is also tight. While I like the car I dont know if I would buy another. It doesnt quite live up to all of the hype over owning a Lexus. Maybe some of the higher end models do.

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  Love it....but it has ISSUES!!!!! - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By 14ktlady - October 8 - 11:40 pm

  I love driving it in the winter, I had some problems in the beginning, but the recall took care of the oil clumping problem at Lexuss expense. They also fixed the sensors but, the oxygen still causes the engine light to come on.

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  Know I can Depend on It - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Sherron - October 8 - 4:13 pm

  The interior styling and exterior styling could be better. However, it has plenty of power, top speed, and is a blast to drive. Most importantly, I have not had to even think about going into my pocket to pay for some type of mechanical problem. It is one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned along with my former 1987 Mazda RX-7. I wish it were a little bigger but overall for the money it is the best quality vehicle in its class. With its power and torque it will do anything I ask in Los Angeles driving.