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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  ES330 - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By yrenn - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Great car. quiet and comfortable

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  RX 330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Brett - June 23 - 2:00 am

  WOW! this car is great! It moves like the wind, and is very nice, i recomend ANYONE to buy this car, thanks, "Bob"

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  My Second One - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By UKen - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Had a 2000 RX300 and was in a very nasty freak accident last June. I am totally convinced that my life was spared by the Grace of God and the design by Lexus. The vehicle "performed" exactly as it was supposed to during this crash. It was totalled and, other than a serious foot injury, I hopped away relatively intact. As soon as I was able to drive again, I purchased an RX330. Beautiful, comfortable, yet safe.

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  My ES350 experience - 2010 Lexus ES 350
  By Ken A. - June 22 - 6:30 pm

  After 7 mos. ownership I have to say this is the best auto purchase Ive ever made. Have not had even one small item of complaint. The car was delivered in pristine condition and has been an absolute joy to own and drive. A recent trip of 620 miles in one day averaged 31.4 mpg @ 70+ mph. Extremely quiet and pleasant interior. Rear leg and headroom is not overly generous, BUT. Love the satellite radio, heated and cooled seats, beautiful paint job, and quality construction; No, I dont work for Lexus.

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  Awesome vehicle - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By hybrid - June 22 - 4:13 pm

  Smooth, soft, powerful. You will never hear or feel the transmission change gears. We have been getting great city mileage.

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  Love it - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By imspud - June 21 - 10:00 am

  great car, handles like a go-kart

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  Happy Ride - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By middle income - June 21 - 7:20 am

  Very good handling and stopping. Enough guts to get out of the way. Not a sports car, but that isnt the intent.

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  The tie was perfect. - 2017 Lexus ES 350
  By James Doherty - June 20 - 3:46 am

  look around, take your time. shop at edmounds

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  IS300 Battle of power - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By is300driver - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Great, fun, exiting, beautiful, love it... i have owen these car for 2 years now and 42,000 miles WOW i drive a lot! she has good power, she realy needs MORE about 60-80 horse more to take on the most recent "japanese imports" add intake and she BRUUUMMMSS like a kitty, Suspention wise stiffer sway bars and bingo! TRD or Hotch are good choises, Brakes are AWSOME, interior is well apointed less plastic please ecsaine is gorgeus, the dulops are hard to get and $$$ Bad Parts: iterior ligth blew up, CD player(it ate my CDS!)free under warranty recently shes transmition upset? shifting so hard it hurts

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  Luxury Toy! - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By storres - June 18 - 10:00 am

  The drive is smooth and comfortable. Fun to drive!