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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  Flying low - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By peterpal - September 17 - 1:36 pm

  Just purchased my new Rx350 and Im glad i did! Its smooth and quiet goes over bumps like butter. I considered other Lux brands Like BMW and Cadillac, no comparison between them. Not that the other ones were "Bad" I just prefer the ride and the quiet of the Lexus. Its like being at 40,000 feet in a jet, smooth!

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  Worth every cent - 2005 Lexus LX 470
  By ashar afzal - September 17 - 12:46 am

  Have been enjoying evrey single day. Ride is very smooth and stable especially at turns.

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  Bad experience - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By RX300Owner - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I think Ive got a lemon this time. Terrible rattle comes from the left side of the vehicle. Excessive wind noise at 60mph. According to a service "professional" from Putnam Lexus the wind noise is a standard for this type of vehicle, and I could get rid of it by folding the driver side mirror. This car was in service several times but all the problems are still there + Ive got several new ones like scratch on the bumper and ink on leather. My advice: Test this vehicle on all types of road before purchasing, and BEWARE of the service department at Putnam Lexus in Redwood City, CA

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  Unbelievable Lemon Lexus - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By No to Lexus - September 10 - 11:53 am

  I purchased the Lexus for mechanical reliability; unfortunately in the first week the gas tank had to be reattached because it was not bolted properly. Shortly after that the power steering pump had to be replaced; the radio stopped playing, the amplifier had to be replaced; the ignition system chimed after I removed the key, had to be replaced; then the radiator was recalled and had to be replaced. The transmission seemed confused at times when accelerating.I asked for a replacement car after the first incident in the first week;Lexus customer service said it was all covered under warranty and offered an extended warranty 6 mo later. I would not pay the extra money for a Lexus again.

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  ES300 CPO Review - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Don - September 9 - 5:03 am

  I bought a Certified Pre Owned with 33k Miles fully loaded - I am disappointed at the control options - Most of it seemed to be copied from Camry. Most annoying feature is the Cruise Control. Most of the controls can be fixed on the steering. Smooth ride but engine cribs on inclined roads.

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  Not bad - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By dksf - August 30 - 3:57 pm

  This car is not bad even I preffered to lease a BMW X5 35d, X5 is bigger with more technologies and brand name, but I decided to lease the Lexus for my wife as well as a good deal. After couple weeks drive, it is not so disappointed, everthing works fine and obviously much better than the RX300 I leased on 2000. If you dont care the brand name and some strange designs, even F Sport comes with better appearances, it is an option for luxury SUVs at this class.

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  2013 RX350 FWD fully loaded - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By vchigurupati - August 26 - 11:42 am

  Bought a brand new RX 350 fully loaded on October 14, 2013. This is my first Lexus and have been a previous owner of several Toyotas like Camry, Venza and Yaris. While I like the vehicle in general I posted some of the improvements so that prospective buyers can be aware of some of the shortcomings and may want to wait for the completely redesigned 2015 model which should be out some time late in Fall 14.

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  Love this car! - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Norge - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Purchased as a CPO with 43,000 on the clock. Looked high and low for a black on black and finally found one. I have put 60,000 miles on the car (it has 104,000 now) and love it every time I get in it. Drives great, handles well and brakes hard and solid. Very smooth ride and still beautiful! Only issue was one of the mirrors would not fold all the way. Dealer replaced both under warranty with 2006 mirrors and promised they will outlast the car. Trunk struts went out too and were also replaced. Only issue is with the center arm rest. All the padding is gone. No idea but it is flat. Everything else works like new! Ac is ice cold and the heated seats could cook eggs.

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  Ungrateful? - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Jazmine - August 23 - 6:26 pm

  It depends on what you want. More power and more comfy seats would be ideal. Other than that. Its great. My back hurts all the time from the seats, though.

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  IS300 - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By MarkS13ct - August 22 - 2:00 am

  Traded a 2001 BMW 325xi for the IS300 after I was told I needed my 3rd transmission. I was a previous Lexus owner and missed the reliability, build quality and service missing from most of the industry. I am very pleased with this car even after giving up the all wheel drive. There is nothing like a Lexus.