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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  Great GS - 2000 Lexus GS 300
  By Vince - December 30 - 7:03 pm

  I just traded in my 2000 Volvo s80 T6 for this 2000 GS. Wow, what a great car! The car shifts gears so smooth you cant even tell when it shifts. Performance is way better than than what it says on the website. I have ran 0-60 in about 5.9-6.5. There is no way it takes 7.7 to get to 60. The regular stereo doesnt have enough bass or speakers so get the mark levinson one. The leather seats are very soft but at the same time hold you in place as you go around a curv. Reliability is excellent. When I bought this car the lexus mechanic said this is the best inline 6 engine made. All around this is a great car.

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  Happy as can be! - 2011 Lexus RX 350
  By Alex Kolesnikov - December 30 - 4:53 pm

  I recently traded my 2008 BMW X5 in for this 2011 Lexus RX350. The main reason I got rid of the BMW was because of the horrible and I mean horrible reliability, and everyone knows if you wanted a reliable luxury car you choose a Lexus. Weve had the car now for a couple days and the transition was much easier than expected. The Lexus has many more features than the old BMW and its MUCH more comfortable, the ride is smooth, the interior is well appointed and the cabin is very quiet when driving. Very happy that we chose to buy the RX350, you wont regret it.

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  Outstanding Value - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By GK - December 30 - 3:26 pm

  No highway wind noise. It is so quiet and smooth I have found myself at triple digits more than once. Just under a 1000 miles so far and no problems. This is our third Lexus and neither of the other two required any maintenance.

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  Awesome vehicle - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Barby - December 29 - 7:56 pm

  I have so loved this car. I love running my hundreds of errands for the kids and family everyday. It has made my hectic lifestyle a completely new experience!

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  Lexus does it again - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By John - December 29 - 9:00 am

  First, I would like to say that this new gs sedan is a vast improvement over the old one. The interior looks a lot better than the previous generation gs. The mark levinson sound system is a great improvement over the 2001-2005 versions of the radio. It is a very classy looking car and gets better gas mileage than the previous gs

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  Lovin it! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Jaci - December 28 - 5:53 am

  I love everything about this car. I cant believe how responsive it is. Passes like a dream on the mountain roads across the Sierra Nevada. I am getting better gas mileage than I did in my RX 330. Everything about this car is better than its predecessor the RX 330. I would buy this car again in a heartbeat.

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  Worth the money - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By CCW - December 28 - 2:40 am

  I bought this because of Lexus reputation and have not been disappointed. Still drives like a new car, great handling for a SUV, and gas mileage tolerable even with todays gas prices! This car has everything, just wish it had power rear hatch. Definitely considering hybrid version for next Lexus.

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  Excellent Ride - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By Jose - December 27 - 1:56 pm

  I have had this car for 1 week, and I am in love. It is plush, rides very nicely, and all the interior features work very well together (GPS, XM, Bluetooth, rear camera, entertainment system) - as one system, not as aggregate ones. My only complaint (minor) is that the driver seat does not go back enough for long legs. Also, I find the steering wheel a tad less comfortable than the Toyota Highlander (which this car looks so much like inside). Sound is good. Handling is excellent. Overall, a great buy.

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  is300 - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By dcamp - December 27 - 2:00 am

  BMW 330 is too much $$ for what you get. Infiniti spent all their $$ on an engine, but it doesnt deliver anywhere else. This car in flat out fun to drive and delivers on style, performance and luxury.

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  Best Value for Your Dollar - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Steve Stanczak - December 26 - 4:30 am

  Having previously owned a number of high-end Euro sedans, most recently a 2000 BMW 750iL, I was not expecting to be as impressed with the LS as I was, especially with its 0-60 sprint. The standard amenities are more than competitive with the Euros. All available options are on par with the competition. I would ideally like to see a longer wheelbase on this car. While the LS does not provide the driving excitement that makes me create errands just to leave the house, it does provide what I feel is the most polished ride I have experienced. This would be THE car to take on an extended trip. Bottom line, I dont wish I had an S-Class, A8, nor a 7-Series, all of which were test driven.