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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  A Lexus to Remember - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Leisa James - November 27 - 10:00 pm

  The design of the RX 400h was the first thing that intrigued me about my Lexus. After the test drive I was sold. If youer thinking of investing in a hybrid I would strongly suggest you take the Lexus RX400h for a test drive. A hybrid costs more but I would purchase this hybrid again. I live in the rural area and my average speed is 45 mph. I am getting 25.5 mpg daily. It doesnt matter if I have to suddenly stop or increase my speed it averages the same mpg. The 6 cylinder engine has as much or more power than my former 8 cylinder engines that were in my large suvs. This car gives you all the comfort of the large suvs in a smaller and very sporty edition of an suv.

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  I Love This Car - 2008 Lexus RX 400H
  By Peter Milewski - November 27 - 4:30 am

  This is an SUV that rides and performs like a luxury sedan. It also gets great mileage. I averaged 27 mpg for my first 1000 miles and over 30 mpg on my daily stop and go commute into Boston. I am tall and this is the first car that makes me feel comfortable getting in and out of the drivers seat. The car has every bell and whistle you could want and some you may never use. I love this car!

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  A Great Car!!! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Snwht76 - November 26 - 5:36 am

  I LOVE THIS CAR!! I traded my Lincoln Navigator which was profoundly unreliable, for the GX470 and I couldnt be happier! I wasnt sure that there could be a smoother ride than the Lincoln but I was mistaken. This car is fun and fast and has all of the options one could want in a car. This was a quality purchase and I am completely impressed with the Lexus product!!

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  Nicest car - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Matt - November 24 - 7:16 am

  Car is quiet, powerful and luxurious. I am actually getting about 35 mpg on the highway. I look forward to the drive home finally.

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  "Conservative, Reliable Luxury" - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Murphy 2010 - November 22 - 11:46 pm

  I have owned and driven many cars in my life from cheap to expensive and I can honestly say that the 2004 Lexus LS430 that I currently have surpasses them all. The car is big but it handles very well and it is very quiet and luxurious and unlike other expensive cars like BMW and Mercedes the Lexus is very reliable so you are not constantly in the shop getting things repaired. The car also is not bad on gas when you compare it to other V-8s and even some V-6s. I also like the fact that although the car is very luxurious it is not ostentatious(flashy)because I am conservative and do not like a lot of attention. Lastly I had heard that Lexus Customer service was outstanding and it is.

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  RX 400h - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By David - November 22 - 7:10 pm

  I initially got 24 mpg. Now I get 26 mpg (all driving). Excellent for an SUV. Overall, excellent car... excellent power, performance, etc. Great job Lexus.

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  great suv - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By happydaz0 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  i have allways driven a m.b. suv..this lx470 is light years ahead...i enjoy this suv in rain and snow as it holds the road very well...my next sedan will be a lexus...NO MORE M.B...THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS OUTSTANDING

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  true lexus - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By jcy - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a real luxuary SUV. I just traded in my 2003 LX470 for 2004 model (you may wonder why?, cant come out with good reason but I like its new navigation system and rear view camera)

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  A WORK OF ART/ EYE CANDY - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By DAESTERS1 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  ITS GREAT. I PURCHASED A C4 PORSCHE AND IT HAD TIPTRONIC I WANTED TO GET SOMETHING AS CLOSE TO PERFORMANCE,LOOK AND LESS PRICE WITH THE SAME FEATURES. I TRIED THE CORVETTE 04 AND THE SC430 WAS THE CLOSEST TO PERFORMANCE.IT WASNT TAILEND HEAVY SO IF I WANT TO TAKE OFF I CAN DO SO SAFELY.IT WAS PLEASED IT ALSO HAD SPORT PACKAGE, 1/2 THE PRICE, AND NAVIGATION DEVICE.IVE DRIVEN IT 700 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND THE DRIVE IS SMOOTH..

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  Fun Car - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By alpollack - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Car runs like a dream..tight body..no noises. Good control at low speeds,tight control at high speeds. Such fun.!!Car draws stares with top up or down. 21+mpg...or 18 in town.