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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  Happy with our Lexus - 2000 Lexus LS 400
  By Clint - August 14 - 8:40 pm

  I bought this car off lease with 40K trading a 91 300D Mercedes. The overall build quality is better than the MB. The V8 is excellent and fast. Also good economy. This car is exceptional in every way. Will buy another. We now have 100k on the car and it is as good as the day we bought it. Very reliable with no problems at all.

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  Love this car - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Red and jeff - August 14 - 8:26 am

  I have had this car for a year now and I love it. It is fun to drive, comfortable and I am 58". I love the power hatch dr. That is so handy when pulling up with groceries or whatever. My husband and I love the power memory seats too. Yeah. Only dislike, that Lexus says they are aware of is with the drive. It apparently has a computer memory and memorizes how you drive and adjusts. After about a month or so our car was reving at high speed and seemed like it was stuck in a higher gear for a few before slipping down. They reset it and it is working ok again.

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  The Best of the Beasts - 2006 Lexus LX 470
  By L A G - August 12 - 3:13 pm

  Always wanted a luxury SUV. I test drove the RX 330 and the GX 470 but neither one has the comfort , the ride and the sheer power of this heavy SUV. I love the looks inside and outside. Several times a year I am on the road up and down I-95 and traveling at about 85 to 90 miles using the air condition and we get 20 to 21 mpg on an almost 6000 pound SUV.

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  Good Choice - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Rich and Fred - August 11 - 10:46 am

  Ive had my car for a year now. However, with the recent recall of Toyota Im think about trading it in. So far the car has met my expectations. Very beautiful, great on gas, roomy, and an extremely smooth driving experience.

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  Absolutely fabulous - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Airbusman - August 11 - 2:00 am

  This car has quality all over it. We especially like the hard top. No noise with the rag top. This thing runs like a sewing machine. Its quiet with the top closed, and quiet with it open. Amazing!

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  Add cust svc category to ratings eval - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By waialae-iki - August 11 - 2:00 am

  This is one beautful piece of work! I was never one for SUVs but wifey wanted to try an SUV...This one really tops the list - all round best. I am not too keen on the location of the gear shifter nor the movable center armrest. But other than that, the que cards call for APPLAUSE!

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  Great Car - 2002 Lexus GS 300
  By Baker 4 Real Estate - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Need a little more interior head room. Minor insturment glare on windshield at night. Passenger cant input addresses when moving (navigational system). A couple of steering wheel mounted radio controls would be nice along with a constant display of the outside temperature. All else is great.

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  Solid as Gibraltar - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By Thrilled owner - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Bought as a demo w/9k miles on it. Now has 188K and havent had any unscheduled maintenance on it yet. Runs like new. Unbelievable reliability. Cant recommend enough. All the fun of a sports car in a sedan. 5-speed manual is a must for driving enthusiasts. My gas mileage is nearly identical to the window sticker rating, so I dont know why people gripe about the mileage. Besides, even though I might save $500/year in gas with a BMW 3-series, it would be offset by the several thousand per year extra I would have to spend on repairs. Im willing to pay a tad extra for peace of mind.

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  worth the bucks - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By bill scheu - August 8 - 2:00 am

  this car does everything well. i know that it will be around for a long time and the relialibility is what makes me want to never look at another jag. the dealer treatmet will keep me from another sl. mb treats you like they did you a favor taking your money. it amazes me that jag and mb still do not get it ! i gusee they will loose all their market share before they give a decent rent a car during service bill

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  2002 ES300 outstanding car - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By okie - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned the 2002 ES300 for 4 1/2 months and love the car. It is very quiet and smooth around town and on the highway. Very comfortable. It could use a more power but is adequate. Build quality is outstanding.