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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  The best and the rest. - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By tajamu - April 5 - 10:00 am

  Enjoyed the test drive and buying experience. The driving experience is comfortable and smooth. At the end of my trips I could continue driving with little effort. Thanks Lexus for taking the work out of driving and getting it right.

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  New SUV owner - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By gemajean - April 5 - 10:00 am

  I never liked SUVs as the gas mileage and stance was less than ideal, however, this RX has changed me. The ride is like a high end luxury car and youll never know you it that youre in an SUV. The fit and finish is impressive and the ride is unbelievably soft and smooth. Weve tried the BMW and the Touraeg and I must say that this is the best of the luxury SUV market. First Lexus car owned and most certainly not the last.

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  Rattle noise, bad quality - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By hoang - April 5 - 12:40 am

  Got 2010 rx350 about 3weeks. Found some rattle noise from cargo cover and rattle noise inside cabin hard to know where it is at. Front bumper below front light seem loosed. Front seat not comfortable my back got hurt when driving for long time. Lexus should be the top quiet car, but 2010 RX350 is not.

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  Dealer wont take insurance for 10k mice! - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By V12COUPE - April 2 - 5:10 pm

  The car is pretty, quick, very flashy with the 18" chrome alloys and gold paint, mileage in city for me 11-12 mpg. Mice got into the interior ate the leather! $10,000 to replace! dealer said they wont deal with insurance companies! what? $64k on a top line car and this? they should have said that on purchase day and I never would have purchased it! I have a 91 bmw 850 cherry so this cars power and stability to me isnt great!

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  Mixed Bag - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By K JG - April 1 - 8:43 am

  My wifes vehicle, replacing her 02 RX 300. Positives include a far more powerful V6, with the guts the RX 300 lacked. Interior design is not as nicely appointed as the old one (Coach Edition). Steering is too low-geared, although the turning circle is improved over the RX 300. The handling exhibits too much sponginess, body roll, and understeer. The stereo is excellent, and the ride very smooth and quiet except for the annoying rattle in the dash! This, frankly, is very disappointing, as there is some rattle that appeared at about 5K miles, giving the impression of poor build quality, and not Lexus. Will have the dealer see what gives, but not encouraging in a new car.

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  The very good and the not so good - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Jack Johnson - April 1 - 1:06 am

  Let me start off by saying this is a very, very well put together car. Its fast, quiet has great electronics and the build quality is top notch. Very good gas mileage for such a strong V8. No rattles or squeaks. What it is not is exciting to drive. If you like the old American Caddy ride, this it the best ever. If you want to feel the road, have some steering wheel feel and be able to corner, this is not the best choice. If I had a driver, I would love to sit in the back. For those who like driving dynamics, you may prefer the Euro cars.

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  IS 300 5SP Drivers Car - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By Bryan Infantino - March 30 - 8:33 pm

  My wife and I bought this car just over a year ago. It is a drivers car. Great around corners and great on a long trip. It is very powerful although I wouldnt mind just a little more power. Navigation system is awesome, we use it all the time. The car is just big enough for taking another couple out but small enough to feel like a true sports car.

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  Tired out. - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By Alebowitz - March 30 - 1:56 pm

  With top up, it is difficult to look backward to park because of the hump. Run flat tires are a very hard ride, and not suitable for winter- pothole/cracked streets. When tire hits pothole, you will need to replace tire and rim for approximately $1,000 each. I replaced three tires at a cost of $3,000 in one year.

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  Best Vehicle Ive Ever Owned - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By O Comora - March 29 - 7:40 pm

  Fun to drive. Placement of some dashboard button Needs Improvement. Transmission shifting is hesitant sometimes but overall, its best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  A Bit Disappointed - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Stephen Martin - March 29 - 11:45 am

  Ive been driving German cars for a number of years, so Im definitely used to a different feel behind the wheel and I had different expectations when I leased the Lexus. The Lexus drivers seat does not fit my seat. I feel like Im always sitting on the left side bolster. I dont like the way the car corners/handles; does not give me the feeling its on rails. The throttle response is not acceptable to me. There are 8 forward gears and it seems like the car is always searching for the correct gear. This is particularly noticeable when on cruise control. I am continually lurching forward as the car shifts through the top gears, even on gradual and barely noticeable inclines; its uncomfortable and annoying. When stepping on the gas the car hesitates, again, as though searching for the correct gear or as if asking me if I know what Im doing. I believe the car is always trying to find the most economical performance and when I ask it to do something outside of its programmed economy matrix it talks back to me. Ive used the radar cruise control only twice, because thats enough of that. I also find the technology to be too much for this old brain to assimilate. My learning curve has been challenging: Ive had the car for a month and have yet to scratch the surface of, much less master, navigation commands, climate controls, even the radio, et al. I dont need or want this much incidental stuff. Perhaps Ill get used to the car over time. I hope so.