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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  Best bargain for luxury driving - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By burkeday - April 20 - 10:00 am

  The LS 430 has so many great "toys", its almost embarrassing! But who cares? I love it and, as a LS400 previous owner, know the redesigned LS430 is as if they read my mind when improvements commenced. No other luxury car drives better and offers more than does this Lexus,period.

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  EHM! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By happyevraftr - April 20 - 10:00 am

  Before this baby I had only Ford Explorer Limiteds, left the brand due to the worst dealer treatment ever had, with my new Lex I feel pampered from test driving the vehicle to closing the deal I was treated like an V.I.P., going to the dealers shop is the same treatment, you are lex man go right ahead,theres a super hughemungus diffrence from the crapy ride of the explorer to a smooth sedan like ride of the lexus, in cabin is like flying first class pampered all the way, the vehicle was made a suv, if I wanted H.P. and speed I will have decided for the Gs400, I have kids waiting for me at home.

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  I should have bought two of them! - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Cordova - April 20 - 10:00 am

  After searching for the right car,I chose a Lexus over Infinity BMW,Acura,Volvo,Saab,Jaguar and Mercedes.My experience with the Lexus dealership was wonderful and was the most professionally run dealership I visited.The quality of this car is simply AMAZING! This was by far the QUIETEST car I drove.The Fit,finish,and performance of this car was better than any of the other brands. I got a 3.75% interest rate and got a heck of a deal on the car too. I only wish I could have purchased TWO of them.

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  Transmission Problems - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By HAl K - April 20 - 10:00 am

  For those who have not checked into this car throughly, I suggest googling: "ES330 hesitation." Mine hesistates badly at both low and high speeds, which the dealer says is "normal." I would not recommend anyone buy a 2004 ES or RX330 until Lexus stops stonewalling and addresses the problem.

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  Purrfect - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By RobDee - April 19 - 5:16 pm

  This is the perfect SUV for those who want a true offroad (Outer Banks) and super comfortable ride for five passengers loaded with every option known to man. You will think you died and went to heaven. And it runs on REGULAR. Touareg came in second; more stylish and a drivers dream, but reliablity issues, size constraints in the back seat and storage, premium fuel, and poorer mileage .

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  Another Home Run - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By Mike Chadwick - April 19 - 7:30 am

  This is my second LS, the first was a 1995 LS 400, I ran it for 15 years. This car is very much the same, just much more advanced, smooth and powerful. Lexus is getting pricey is the only bad thing, but once youre used to this car no other even comes close. I tried to find a more economical replacement but there are none on the market. The German cars that are in the same league are unreliable and even more overpriced than this one, and because I keep my cars forever theyre not an option for me. If I leased it wouldnt matter, outside of how much time you care to waste in a car dealership.

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  Forget the RX 330 - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Cutie - April 18 - 12:06 am

  This car has the slowest responding transmission Ive ever owned. Downshifts 2 gears when accelerating. Not responsive. Do your web homework and careful test drive on freeway. Push the RX and youll see, clunks through gears. Also, leather is cheap inside, and plastic feels cheap. Some models have no power door, no telescoping steering wheel, no leather. Dont buy this! 3 trips to the dealer, nothing but frustration. They say car is normal each time, want to reset ECU.

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  Best SUV ever owned - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Ira G. - April 17 - 5:43 am

  The Lexus GX 470 is probably the most reliable, comfortable, and well designed SUV that I have ever owned. My previous cars were GMC Jimmy, Land Rover, Range Rover, and now GX 470! It is much better than the Range Rover in every way and I can lease 2 GXs for the cost of 1 Range Rover.

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  Poor Design - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By Hate ES300 - April 17 - 12:00 am

  Look too much like a Camry.

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  Great Car - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Doris - April 16 - 8:26 pm

  I read all reviews about this car prior to purchasing it. All of them are true. Despite its Camry look, the interior is superior and luxurious. It rides better than BMW 325. Most cars come with package 1 or 2. Go with package 2 (everything but the navigational system).I got mine at slightly below $31K (package 2). It worths every penny.