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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  Awesome SUV! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By dougb - March 12 - 2:00 am

  The best SUV on the planet! Exceptional ride. Luxurious with all the Lexus ammenities. Performance oriented. An SUV with an attitude! A blast to drive. Will break your fun meter right off!!

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  A Great Car...er SUV - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By TLabonteFan - March 12 - 2:00 am

  The RX has a smooth, quiet ride. The transmission shifts real smooth, though it shifts a little sooner than Id like. The quality of the leather and fit-and-finish of the interior is top notch. I dont think its lacking in horsepower - I went from a 285hp GMC Yukon to the RX, and I gladly gave up the extra HP/TQ for a much better quality vehicle. Overall, the best car Ive ever bought.

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  All I Can Say is WOW - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Emlee - March 11 - 5:50 pm

  Having had 2 Lexus automobiles previously (both ES 300s, one a 2000 and the other a 2003) THIS 2007 KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF. The styling, the comfort, the ease of driving, the fun of driving are not enough superlatives to describe this car. I have the ultra luxury package which was more pricey, but the additional cost was well worth it. The air, the upholstery, the back up camera, the rotating headlights,the nav system and the sound system are incredible. This car is everything I expected and then some. BRAVO LEXUS.

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  First Impressions - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By rzurek - March 11 - 2:33 pm

  The Lexus 400h hybrid is a very luxuriously appointed SUV with peppy acceleration and a smooth comfortable ride. This is the first year of hybrid technology although it is not unproven being used in the Toyota Prisus for the past couple years and in Japan. My only disappointment is that the mileage rating is not sufficient enough to get you into the California car pool lanes.

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  Nice machine!! - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By Maynard - March 11 - 10:00 am

  Just plain high quality stuff!!

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  Mostly positives, a few negatives - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By carl lee - March 11 - 10:00 am

  I just bought a silver w/ black interior. I have about 1000 mi on it. The negatives are the cup holder is to shallow and drinks can spill out or tip over on turns. I here a metal on metal clink when I go over speed bumps from under the car, dealer said they will fix but thay have not as of yet. Run flat tires are stiff and all road imperfections are transmited to driver and so you feel every bump, pot hole. Otherwise I love the car and am happy I bought it. Very comfortable/

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  My 4th Lexus RX is the best ever. - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By RXster - March 9 - 4:10 am

  Ive owned three new RXs from 2004 through 2008. I went from no Nav to a good Nav to a great Nav and now to a spectacular Nav in my 2010 RX. The mouse-like control on the console is a killer app. Thanks to the adjustable tactile feel on the screen pointer, it is very easy to select Nav, Sat, Audio and numerous other vehicle controls even while youre driving. Thanks to a larger vocabulary, the voice recognition is far superior to the 2008/2009 version. This RX is quieter, rides firmer, and although noticeably larger, it still handles like a car. With no more strut towers in the luggage space, four golf bags easily fit. I like the 2008 taillights better but overall, the 2010 looks better.

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  Best Luxury Class SEDAN - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By best in class - March 7 - 7:53 pm

  One of the best car ever! Great interior and exterior looks. $14,000 package will get you everything you need. You almost want to experience riding in the back.

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  Smooth as silk - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By 470lvr - March 7 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle for less then two weeks and have found nothing that I dont like. The drive is smooth as silk. This is the perfect SUV ! It comfortably seats 7 and the DVD and Navigation are extremly easy to use. For the money you cant go wrong.

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  EYE CANDY - 1998 Lexus GS 300
  By SPACEACE - March 7 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle itself is as RELIABLE as they come. I own the spectra blue model and to this day find it hard to keep my eyes off it. I love the color and actually waited for this color to become available. The ride and handling is excellent. The features in this 1998 can compete with todays 2004 models. It basically has power everything. The only disappointing fact is that the new redesigned GS is due out next year. I am not happy about that. It bothers me to be driving the "old" model. Not to mention the value is going to PLUMMIT once the new 2005 arrives. Other than that and the fact that it is TERRIBLE in the snow, I am really happy with it.