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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  Great allaround family vehicle - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By icirttu - January 20 - 10:00 am

  No problems. Comfortable, safe (brakes are instant and powerful), very zippy, responsive to drive. Excellent no- hassle dealership. Surprising hauling capacity (my daughters LX300 carried no more than the SportCross when she moved house last week). Quiet. Fuel consumption averages just under 30 mpg.

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  First time owner - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By dalfrednix - January 20 - 10:00 am

  Bought a 2005 ES330 recently and so far Im very satisfied with my choice. I have less than a 1,000 miles on the car but so far no problems and the transmission is shifting smoothly. The best I could do was a $1,000 off the MSRP and a fair price for my trade-in. Dealer politely told me he had others interested in this car. At first I thought this was just talk until the interested party showed up at the dealership will I was finalizing the deal. Ive owned BMW and Mercedes and I was looking for comfort, quality, and long term reliability-Lexus was the ONLY choice.

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  RX330 is worth the price paid - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Dubie - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I have been an owner of SUVs for over 8 years. I was planning to buy the same model and make, but the 2004 version did not impress me. I went to Lexus and took the RX330 for a test drive and was completely surprised by the ride and its ability to hug the road going around turns. Although the price tag was higher then what I wanted to spend, I decided that I would buy the Lexus I test drove. After owning it for 5 months I am glad I did, it has surpassed all my expectations in an SUV.

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  My First SUV - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Abaco Joe - January 20 - 10:00 am

  After 6 months and 9000 miles I have had no problems at all.Friends, relatives and neighbors who spent less for something else are realizing just how much I really got. The Rx is what they all aspired to but didnt do it. Comforable, secure and stylish. Im even happy sitting in traffic jams. No wonder it is the best selling SUV in its class in the world. No special financing or rebates with Lexus. However, they did buy out my lease 5 months early and did not add it into the purchase price. This is my first SUV and first non- Detroit vehicle.I have no regrets. I am looking forward to the AWD experience this winter and getting to and from the slopes safe and secure. I love my Rx.

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  My favorite car - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Lee - January 19 - 7:26 am

  Its like driving your living room. Nothing could be more comfortable to drive. Lexus has thought of everything and then some. The electronics are amazing. I was not overly impressed with the Mark Levinson radio which is an expensive item and must come with the Navigation. The service and delivery does live up to the Lexus reputation.

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  very snow worthy - 2010 Lexus RX 450h
  By Carla Berman - January 18 - 10:40 am

  I bought this vehicle in the cash for clunkers program to replace a 5.9 L Jeep Grand Cherokee that was my vehicle to get to work in deep snow. Recently the Northeast got 24" followed by 20". I live in a rural area and was very pleased by the vehicles ability to easily navigate under adverse conditions. Of course in good weather it is a dream vehicle.

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  Thankful Soldier - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Jumpmastercmb - January 18 - 9:30 am

  From the first time that I learned to drive, I always wanted a BMW, but after test driving the IS 300 my boyhood dreams changed. This vehicle is awesome! Its small, powerful, and classy. I guarantee you, once you drive a Lexus you wont even consider any other vehicle. The Lexus customer service and maintenance teams are also top notch! This is the best gift I could have purchased for myselg after a tough 12 month tour in Iraq.

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  Two Lexus ES300h Great gas mileage - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By steising - January 18 - 12:29 am

  I bought 2 ES300h hybrids in December 2012. My wife and I drive them to work every day. I keep meticulous records and since the first day I bought the cars I get an actual 40.1 mpg and my wife gets 36 mpg. I get better gas mileage in the city than on the highway. The last two months I have been getting about 45.5 mpg and my has been getting 38.5. We love this car. We traded in 2011 ES350 and 2011 RX450s. We went from 25 mpg in the ES and 17 mpg with premium gas in the RX. I read a review for the ES300h 2014 where the person said they were getting 25 mpg. They must drive poorly as I drive 5 miles over the speed limit everywhere I go and I get the mpg on the sticker.

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  01 GS 300 Florida - 2001 Lexus GS 300
  By abockstein - January 16 - 2:00 am

  best car ever owned...beautiful, still looks brand new, people still comment on it everyday, no mech problems in 2.5years...However, it is NOT a german car. After owning three Audis before, my next car definitely will be a 5 series BMW, I need more firmness and better handling...Too sum it up, great car, but MUSH!!!!

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  This is an amazing car - 2001 Lexus LX 470
  By Badster Adster - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car being my first Lexus ever. I was amazed, this greatly compares to my new 2002 Mercedes SL600... I love the vehicle