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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  Lexus rx300 - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By judibutz - December 7 - 10:00 am

  The most reliable car I have ever owned. I wish the look had been changed so I could buy again. Am going for the Murano. Handling was a draw back to the rx although I love this car - turning radius leaves a lot to be desired.

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  Lemon - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Lynn Stone - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Persistant pull to the left despite repeated repair attempts.

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  Reliable and good looking! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By lexusman - December 7 - 10:00 am

  We previosly owned a BMW X5. The RX 330 runs much more car like at has a less bumpy ride. The X5 was very hard to turn, but the Lexus is an easy car to drive and get used to.It is also a Lexus and very dependable.Has great gas mileage for an suv, and you still have the 3.3 liter engine. IT also has way more trunk space then both the X5 and the Mercedes M-class.

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  Solid SUV - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By VS - December 7 - 7:33 am

  Bought my 04 with 43K miles as certified with 3yr/100K warranty. Now 2 yrs later have 78K and it still drives better then many new cars and SUVs. Very solid vehicle and very useful for cargo hauling (I own a small business with frequent airport trips with as many as 20 cases inside with rear seats removed and middle seats folded!). 3rd seats dont have enough leg room, but otherwise are Ok for short trips. Comfy seats with very tastefully done interior, large sunroof, very macho-looking from outside. Overall trouble-free 2 yrs with some minor wear-tear issues, like tires, brakes and some bulbs...great for snow and bad weather - feels very secure on the road with commanding view!

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  Dedicated hybrid with style - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By tmckean - December 5 - 4:23 am

  We got this to replace our IS 250 AWD. Seat comfort is wonderful as is the ride. Rear seating is entirely adequate for a smallish car. Trunk holds golf clubs and luggage and is adequate. Features associated with the NAV system just make the car a joy to be in. Very good visibility inside. Acceleration is adequate and even generates a bit of torque steer. The car is pretty cool looking and, in other words, a hybrid that satisfies someone who enjoys a nice car with a lot of features.

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  Best car I have ever owned! - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By talktomatt - December 3 - 12:03 pm

  This is my 6th Lexus automobile and BY FAR the nicest and best riding I have ever had! I own 4 cars including a Mercedes, but this car has them all beat by a mile or two! It is very quiet and smooth with lots of power and I love all the little goodies it has such as showing me the tire pressures, even for the spare, by pushing a button! The GPS is MUCH improved and the ride is just wonderful!

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  Needs new stereo, otherwise fantastic.. - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By cpa3 - December 3 - 4:40 am

  This is our fourth Lexus and second RX. Great ride and you sit nice and high. Very luxurious.

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  A Good Car RX330 - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Tom - December 1 - 11:23 am

  The car is very quiet and very comfortable and smooth riding. For a tall person the head room is minimal. Overall it is a comfortable well built car.

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By HR6895 - November 30 - 5:53 pm

  Bought at 62K, drove 8K since then. Runs solid, comfortable, reliable.

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  TRULY AWESOME - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By Eagle50271 - November 29 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the best car that i have ever purchased. I looked at every car in the class and this gave me the most bang for my buck out of them all!