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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  new car - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By playmaker - April 10 - 2:00 am

  If this is entry level, then Im not much interested in what else Lexus has to offer. Ride was excellent but they saved money inside. Seat was not all leather, dash was worse than a ford.

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  problematic ride - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By Navigation - April 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car and the next day I had to take it in because the car wasnt going where I steered it. Not sure what the problem was. Service was great, but expected a perfect ride from a 1 day old new car.

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  Vibration and Drone on take off - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Tony Cannizzaro - January 15 - 6:58 am

  Had this car for nine months now. From day one every time you take off there is a vibration. and low. frequency exhaust note that is just unacceptable especially for a $50k + car. Come to find out its a known problem Lexus is aware of. Many consumers are having this issue but according to Lexus they are saying one of two things. We know about the issue and do not have a fix at this time or its a characteristic of the. new model..Which. is it. Lexus, I would definitely stay away. Lexus quality has definitely taken a turn for the worse.