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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  2008 Lexus ES350 engine troubles - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By JJ - September 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car new and have had an engine noise from the beginning that sounds like a valve lifter. Lexus started out claiming no noise, then no abnormal noise, than piston slap and finally less than premium gas in the tank. I have all gas receipts and theyre all premium. The NCDS (National Center for Dispute Settlement) funded by Toyota wasnt interested in the evidence disproving the Lexus claim. The noise had gotten worse and Lexus refuses to address the issue. The value of this car will be greatly diminished at trade in time.

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  For the long ride - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By roger lance - August 24 - 10:50 pm

  Good road car, not so much around town given low gas mpg. Exterior quality is not so great, paint pealed in one spot on roof post. Car handles very nicely with good suspension that quiets the ride. Seats are ok for tall folks - over 6 - good for those less tall. Interior fit and finish is very nice and looks very well finished. Corner acceleration is hampered unless your turn off the AFS. Car doesnt need a lot of repairs but maintenance is costly.

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  Not made in Japan & service costs vary greatly - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By Peter - August 19 - 3:01 pm

  This 2013 RX350 is my 7th Lexus ( my 4th RX) and my first Lexus built in the USA rather than Japan. This RX has also been my the least reliable one. The car had a chronic and constant squeak audible at low speeds which after 4 trips to the dealer finally got diagnosed as a poorly fitted hood (poorly fitted at the factory). It was finally fixed at 20,000 miles. The squeak had gotten so annoying that I actually considered selling the car rather than listen to it. The electric self positioning steering column began to groan when it moved, starting at about 35,000 miles, and was replaced under warranty. The dealer had to keep my car for two weeks to make the repair. The service tech said the steering column would have eventually given out and that it is tied into the cars starter switch so failure would have rendered the car inoperable. It would have cost $2 500 to fix had it been out of warranty. Also the leather on the two front seat cushions wore poorly. Deep creases developed into cracks during two years and 50,000 miles of normal use, despite routine application of leather conditioner. The leather cover on the door armrest also came loose from its padding. After some discussion between the dealer and the factory rep, all of these upholstery items were replaced even though the car was a few miles beyond its warranty period. My previous Lexus experiences were trouble free, so I felt I bought good value despite the high purchase price. However, this car has required a lot of attention. Although this RX is a safe comfortable versatile SUV, it is not a great machine like all my other Lexuses. About service, I have learned that each Lexus dealer sets the cost it charges for service and these costs do vary greatly,. Desert Lexus in Cathedral City, CA charges more for service than any other dealer I have found in Southern CA. I will probably not buy an 8th Lexus.

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  Ok, not what I expected - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By Doug Reynolds - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I compared the GX with the Volvo XC90 but chose the Lexus due to immediate availability. It drives nice, but Ive had vibration issues at highway speeds that the dealer cannot replicate, the flip-up seats rattle, and the transmission slips and hesitates occasionaly. Maybe I should have bought the Volvo...

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  Not like they used to be. - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By succeedinlife5 - August 3 - 4:26 pm

  I purchased this 2006 Lexus GS300 AWD in the 2008. It was a lease return with a clean record and was being offered as a CPO vehicle no accidents noted on the CarFax. Since purchasing the car, it has been recalled 6 times. Steering, brakes, gas line, bolts, carpet, floor mats. Since purchasing the car, I have had a great deal of issues with the quality. 1) Dash will not stop rattling. It has been into the dealer 5 times for this and the rattle comes back every time. 2) A/C system will smell like mold when it is starts. 3) Wheels bubbled. 4) Mirrors would not tilt up 5) Inside mirror rattles 6) Tires wore out VERY fast 7) Console rattles 8) Sunroof leaks and has wind noise

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  Mine is a Lemon! - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Mike Park - June 20 - 5:20 pm

  My GX 470 has had and continues to have problems with the navigation, radio, rear camera, console. It is currently at the dealers for the third time - 11 days so far - still they are not able to diagnose and or fix the problem(s).They have replaced the radio head twice without fixing the problem. It is probably time to ask for a new one or have them refund my money.

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  Not A Usual Lexus - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Ex Lexus Lover - June 16 - 2:00 am

  The RX330 is not of Lexus quality. This car has a lot of great features but they are not enjoyable with the roar in the rear end and the wind noise from the new design.

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  Unrefined RX330 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Johnnie - June 10 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is for people who do not want quick acceleration and solid corning. The vehicle leans too much when turning, and the acceleration is horrible. The drive-by-wire feature needs to be redesigned to allow the driver to be the decision maker, instead of some computer programs. There are also various interior squeaks and rattles. Very un-Lexus.

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  Most uncomfortable Lexus I have ever owned - 2014 Lexus ES 300h
  By hmbcoastsider - June 5 - 10:46 am

  Ive owned a Lexus for 13 years and and always loved them. So I was hoping for a similar experience when I bought the 2014 Lexus ES 300h, premium package. The car drives fine, although there is that hesitation every time you start up after stopping, which is common with many hybrids. But the problem is the ventilated seat. It is very uncomfortable. It is so bad that my back hurts every time I drive it. I complained and the service manager acknowledged "some" people feel just like me and offered to put extra cushioning in the back, although that would void the ventilation; I said OK and although better, it is still a terrible seat which makes me hate this car more and more every day.

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  Take a pass on this car - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By ferretlover02 - June 4 - 10:00 am

  I couldnt decide between the ES330 and a C320 Mercedes. Now I wish I had gone for the Mercedes. This car is extremely uncomfortable and boring to drive. The interior is beautiful, but thats where it ends.