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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  Never could find the car I wanted :-( - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By Doc 4x5 - May 14 - 4:02 pm

  I thought it would be simple, a Lexus NX200t with ALL the new safety equipment recommended in the new Consumer Reports Magazine, with dark leather, and not black. Even after weeks of diligent searching by my local dealer, and by me on the internet from Seattle to Chicago to Palm Springs, such a car could not be located. Some dealers even had as many as thirty NX200ts on their lots, but... Almost ALL RX350s come with the safety equipment, but for some reason, in a car, one notch down, that costs $40,000 to almost $50,000, this is not available. Ironically I can have all the safety gear in almost any Subaru. Oh, well, Im still waiting and looking. It may be 2017 before this car becomes available, or maybe next week?

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  Acceptable for a 64" Man - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By huntid - May 14 - 3:03 pm

  I have owned the car for 2 weeks now... It was between this car and the Pilot and MDX. I ultimately chose this car because the seat went back 2 inches farther then the Hondas. Legroom for me is very good. I was assured by Kelley Blue Book on YouTube and the other sites that the ride is very smooth and comfortable. It is BUT, on the 5 mile stretch of road I have to travel to my work, which is kind of rough, then I feel it bounce MORE than my Camry.

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  Unhappy with first Lexus - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By ChazK - May 9 - 10:00 am

  Our first Lexus and Ill have to say, Ive never been so dissappointed with an automobile. Transmission seems to slip on occassion and it takes bumps a lot harder than I assumed it would. When driving at low speeds up to about 50, it seems to be a little "jerky", for lack of a better term; almost as though it was shifting back and forth between gears. I would difinately test drive one and concentrate on the ride and not get so caught up in the luxurious interior and all of the whistles and bells. The automobile is beautiful inside and out. I just wish the performance matched the beauty. If I were to base Lexus on this GX470; I would never buy another one.

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  Cant complain too much - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Rita - April 29 - 1:20 pm

  Roomy, Reliable and Comfortable. The acoustics are great with the upgraded sound system I had installed. Quiet car with the proper tires. Knock on wood, no major problems.

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  lexus gs300 - 2000 Lexus GS 300
  By ael77 - April 28 - 6:34 am

  i had a gs300 for a long time it has about 140,000 miles on it n it runs great built great good quality the interior is nice seats r comfortable n so is the ride performance is good i like sports cars but the peformance is good enough its an 11 year old car n i still drive it like a sports car so it can handle the abuse not that i do but sometimes i need to boogy the top speed i ever did on it is about 125mph n im not scared to boogy on it cuz i know it can handle it the snow option helps out alot in the snow with good tires for n rearwheel drive its pretty good doesnt need alot of maintenace n the sound system is pretty good on the platinum edition so its a good car still runs awesome

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  Disappointed in 2010 RX 350 - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By John B - April 27 - 5:23 pm

  Hi. This is my 4th RX 350 and I have to say this one is the most disappointing one. Lexus is getting very cheap with their products and yet charging more for the vehicle. Body molding on doors an option? Please. Ridiculous. Wood panel interior? Where is it? Very little there. Conventional spare gone, donut tire now? Premium stereo? I have to turn up volume to 30 decibels to hear it. Older RX 350 were much better interior and exterior. Lexus fell from being #1 in customer satisfaction, now I know why.

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  I really have no Complaints One of the the better cars i have owned - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By thumper1279 - April 26 - 5:08 pm

  I have gone through many cars in my life. I am hard on cars i admit so that is no help to me when it comes to them. Any issues that i have had with this car have only been caused by issues that i feel would have been appropriate for the miles.I bought my 07 Es350 in Feb of 2013 with 44k. It is now 17 months latter. i have put 40k on the car. When it was still under factory warranty the passenger front axle boot was leaking Lexus Fixed it best experience i ever had when having to have a repair done. just 2 month ago with 80k on the car My Extended service Contract Replaced the Front and rear Struts all 4 of them needed replacing. at 81k the W/P warranty covered it

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  Drives like a car... - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By LexisOwner - April 25 - 2:10 am

  Excellent quality and drivability. 5 years old and still looks current. Bought the car new and loved it. Over the years, the small annoyances start to wear on you, like having to stop for gas every 300 miles and having to back up when making u-turns and when parking due to large turning radius.

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  Jury still out - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By dray24 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased a certified 2000 model and I am not surr if i am sold yet. The turning radius is horrible and the fuel economy isnt that great either. The ride is smooth, but lacks in pep. The moonroof shade is the only problem i have with the interior because it is made out of shoddy materials and is too light, will move forward with sudden braking. The should haev added a compass as part of the info screen.

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  Very quiet and comfortable to drive - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Stenogrfr - April 19 - 3:56 am

  This car is very quiet, as far as road noise. Rides very smooth. However, it is hard for truckers to see you. Also, there is quite a large blind spot with this automobile.