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:

• 

  this is a good car! - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By Paco - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I have a gs300 with a body kit and some 21" inch rims and it looks tight!

• 

  this is a good car! - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By paco - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I have a gs300 with a body kit and some 21" inch rims and it looks tight!

• 

  Great Car - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus_Lover - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned mine for over a year now. Now it has 78K miles and so far has been very reliable. The only things needed to be done on it were brakes, oil changes and stuff like that. It is a very confortable car and has a great sound system. It is a real eye catcher and is worth the extra dollars (it pays back in the long run).

• 

  If Cheetah was a car, this would be it - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By Benign - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Best Dealer i have ever known, friendly and handy. Car is very agile and responsive, engine was the quitest on its class. Back draws: addiction for driving the car in every chance possible.

• 

  Initial - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Dave - July 18 - 3:26 pm

  The car has a vibration, it drifts to the right, and the steering wheel is off center to the left. The heated seats only get slightly warm at best. The dealer said that it was within Lexus standards. In my years of owning cars they have the lowest Ive ever owned. The GPS is the most difficult ones Ive operated, and Ive used several in cars, boats, and airplanes. Ive used the very first built and fly a Gulfstream with two FMS that have GPS inputs. The GPS miles out of the way and will not use roads that have been around for decades. The POI are years out of date.

• 

  Wish I didnt buy a Lexus - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By DBroker - July 18 - 5:20 am

  2007 RX 350 loaded. Traded down from a BMW X5 3.0 with 125,000 miles. I thought buying a Lexus would be a good choice since my BMW had a ton of miles on it and the Lexus was much cheaper. The saying is true, you get what you pay for. Ive owned the Lexus for 3 weeks, 4 times in the shop. First a mirror, then the bluetooth (X2), and then the drivers seat. I weigh about 180 lbs (so its not me). This car is slow and sloppy. I will be trading it in as soon as get a little equity built up. Very disappointed.

• 

  SC 430 Excellence - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By arabesque - July 16 - 4:23 am

  Having owned two SC 400s the purchase of a 2005 SC 430 was a natural and welcome happening. The car is so much fun to own and drive! Exceptional quality in comfort and style, power and dependability, the Lexus SC 430 fits our needs for sport and travel. Sure, its a bit short on rear seat room and luggage space but we consider it a sports car with a strong engine and smooth ride. The safety features and treatment of options are Lexus quality through and through. We are truely satisfied with this premium automobile. Wish they still made them!

• 

  As close to perfection as it gets - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By DMH - July 15 - 10:00 am

  Having owned Mercedes and BMW, I know the competition. And the LS 430 Ultra Luxury I have the privilege to own beats anything under $130K. Uncanny combination of smooth ride and controlled handling. Quality of materials and workmanship second to none. Excellent outward visibility (the main downfall of the Audi A8). Tight turning radius (better than any of its competitors). Outstanding gas mileage for its considerable size and weight (27 mpg on the highway). Large trunk even with rear air conditioner. Doors open wide for passengers. Adaptive self-leveling HID headlights are amazing. LED taillights fast and bright. Stereo is like being there.

• 

  Intermittent Audio Problem - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By rm100 - July 15 - 10:00 am

  LS430 2004 has an intermittent Audio problem where even when you turn on the audio using voice command, there will be no sound. As per Lexus dealership this problem is with all LS430. I find that hard to believe but that is the story they gave me. I purchased it brand new from them last month. Lexus dealerships make a big deal about their service quality, but I have been very disappointed with my experience.

• 

  Bad Transmissions - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Gottalemon - July 15 - 10:00 am

  This cars computer has problems controlling the transmission. Car hesitates badly at low speed/gear. Lexus knows but wont acknowledge because they cant fix it. Ive sent 3 letters to HQ and they tell me the car is operating as designed (without even talking to the mechanics or my dealershi, Hmmm!!). City gas mileage is BAD also, about 15-17. Read all the complaints about the trans on this site, then buy something else!