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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  Better than my Mercedes - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Redwood - August 23 - 2:00 am

  My 2003 ES 300 is quieter, peppier and I feel safer in it than in my 92 MB 300 E that I traded. On California freeway at 70+ mph the engine rpm is just over 2200. The dual climate control works well and is much quieter than my old MB. The stock sound system is easily heard at freeway speeds. Im 6 4" tall and the drivers seat comfort and adjustable positions are easy to set. The only thing I will add will be after market window tinting.

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  Phenomenal Car to Like (Maybe Not Love) - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By AndyA - August 22 - 3:46 pm

  This is the most competent non-sports sedan Ive ever driven. Very powerful engine (although you could eat breakfast while it selects its gear in automatic mode), great comfort, and amazing integration of electronics - GPS, climate, audio, etc. Really a beautiful vehicle. I have a big complaint, though, about the GPS system. You cannot set destinations or use many of the features while the car is in motion. This is billed as a safety feature, but its a terrible inconvenience, especially when a passenger is sitting next to the driver. In summary, it doesnt have the soul of my 528, but its a great compromise when looking for a classy ride with great power at a great price.

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  Love this car - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By Megan Jasper - August 21 - 8:52 pm

  Traded in my infiniti for this car. Was the best decision.

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  99 LS400 - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By Richard Corder - August 19 - 11:56 pm

  My 3rd Lexus, the most reliable brand I have even owned. Zero problems with the car, strong performance, highway mileage is in excess of 27 mpg. Dealer service is outstanding, follow up from the manufacturer is excellent.

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  Love The Vehicle, However intermittent noise - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Ron - August 19 - 12:20 pm

  Purchased Vehicle March 11, 2017. I Love The RX350 AWD. Lexus did a great job with this vehicle. I have just one irritant, there is a intermittent noise or vibration that occurs from time to time with no associated speed or condition. Every time I took it to the dealership and went on the test drive with the technician the noise did not occur and we drove the vehicle under all sorts of condition for more than an hour. So we have not been able to duplicate the issue currently. For now the noise has stopped. My fear is that it will comeback, I just wish I could get the noise to occur with the tech in the car. Ill just have to wait and see if it returns again. Over all Im thrilled and love this vehicle. RLP.

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  Great car - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By SOURS - August 18 - 8:53 pm

  First I would like to comment on the issues that people are having with the nav system: if youre driving and need to find a restaurant you can call Lexus destination assist by just telling the car call destination assist. You will then talk to a Lexus representative that will find you what you are looking for and the send the directions to your nav system, if thats not luxurious and intuitive i dont know what is. The car is pretty quick, quicker that a benz ml350 and rides very soft. The quality of the materials inside is great. The only complaint is that the seats may be a little firm , but you get used to it quickly. The car is very quiet, but if anything just turn on the audio system!

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  New RX a hot hit! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By hckydude814 - August 18 - 10:00 am

  This car is so great. Lexus took all the problems with the original RX (a tiny number) and fixed them. They did a great job!

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  4 Great Years - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By Brooksie - August 18 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my GS300 since July 99 and have thouroughly enjoyed the car.

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  good and bad - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By gogogirl - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Sure the car handles pretty well but it needs more HP 260 would have been just fine not 220. The exterior body of the car is just about the best thing about this vechicle, but for over 30k I would invest in something else. To start there is no memory seating,no radio controls on the steering wheel, no leg space and lots of blind spots! Not a good deal for your money.

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  Love My RX330!!! Best car I ever had!!! - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By LadyK - August 16 - 9:56 am

  I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR!!! Its fun to drive because it rides like a dream. As a first time Lexus buyer, the comfort, the handling, the ride and the quality are excellent!!! I am truly impressed. I like the attention it gets when driving around town. The interior is beautiful and the features are great. I love driving on the highway at night now due to the tinted back window and the glare blocking side view mirrors- this feature alone is PRICELESS!!! My concerns are: The transmission stalls when switching gears. Inside interior including tan rugs, get dirty easily. Using the seat warmers while wearing dark clothes, stains the leather.