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!!!! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By evelyn - July 19 - 10:00 am

  i love this suv

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  Great and Fun to Drive Vehicle - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By HQN - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Good acceleration at all speeds, including passing power on freeway. Transmission lag on 2004 model is gone. The 19/25 mpg accounts for the extra transmission responsiveness. Smooth and quiet ride. Good gas mileage.

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  Best vehicle ever owned - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Lildebbr - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 04 RX330 after having the 03 ES300. While the ES300 was a fine automobile, my toy (RX330) is tops. I love its appearance and I just love driving it. Definitely the best automobile purchase Ive ever made.

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  Highly Recommend - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By JP122 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Very smooth and quiet ride. Handles terrific and easy to drive.Would HIGHLY recommend. I just traded in a Mercedes ML for this and there is absolutly no comparison. The ML was a total junk and was in the shop more than on the road.The ride, comfort and performance couldnt compare.

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  Quality SUV - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Chuck Theodora - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Words in a nut shell - GREAT CAR

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  Best of the Best - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Tom - July 18 - 12:26 pm

  Best of the best in mid size SUVs

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  Bought a few days ago 77k miles - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By cswindle - July 17 - 11:35 am

  This is my first Lexus and I love everything about it. It rides really well, very comfortable to drive, and is extremely quiet. Acceleration is a tad slow, but overall this is an outstanding vehicle. I will post updates every now and then in the comments section of this review.

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  Where have I been? - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By Allen Wilson - July 17 - 2:00 am

  After a friend purchased a 98 ES 300, and seeing how quiet, well designed and smooth it was, I was forever taken by the Lexus name. My next venture was to find a bigger version, which of course is the LS. After test driving one, I was amazed at the smoothness of the ride, the accurate control, the solid, tight and assuring feel of the steering. I bought one a month later..

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  Something Wicked This Way Comes Redeux - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Marxus0867 - July 16 - 9:30 am

  This is my third Lexus. I have owned a first generation LS and a second generation GS and I am supremely happy with the new car. I bought it used with 14k miles on it and it is awesome. I am a realtor and the navi is a tremendous help, as well as the ventilated seats, back up camera, Mark Levinson audio/ DVD, and the park assist. I am still learning the voice commands and I wish they were more variable. Other than the road noise from the run flats, this car is nearly perfect. I am a Lexus fan for life. Everytime I start searching for a new car, I look at Mercedes and BMW and I always go back to Lexus because of the reliability and resale.

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  Amazing Car - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By denman - July 16 - 4:06 am

  After 1000 miles I am enormously impressed by the ride, comfort, acceleration, and hybrid performance. It is a technologic tour de force on the part of Toyota Lexus. The milage is 40% better than the Passat 4 motion that I traded for this vehicle. While high in cost, it may not be so bad if gas stays at 3.30 per gallon for 87 octane. Averaging 27.5 over last 870 miles--a mix of highway, mountain driving, and short city trips.