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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  Outstanding - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By M.E. Warenik - February 19 - 2:13 am

  I have experienced total comfort and excellent MPR. This is such a quiet vehicle. A total joy to own. The hybrid experience is about knowing you are doing your small part to help the enviroment.

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  ES 350! - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Foster - February 17 - 3:26 pm

  This car is very smooth and quiet and has nice power. The styling is smooth inside and out, very rakish looking from the rear. I have not put a lot of miles on it yet, but I am impressed by it. It has pretty well met my expectations, its a Lexus all the way.

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  Drive it and Youll Love it. - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Akros - February 16 - 2:00 am

  A quality vehicle that leaves little to ask for even in the base model. It can be expected to hold value. With a smooth ride and comfortable interior this "heavy" SUV gets good MPG for its weight,shape and V-8 engine. Handling is good. Entry/exit using running boards can be cumbersome. Fit/finish, both in and out, is typical high quality Lexus. Stock highway tires? Switch to Michelin X- Country tires which, in my opinion, should come standard on this type of vehicle. Flush folding rear seats would be a welcome design change. Like the rear door, a "door/gate" that would permit rear door to convert into a tailgate would be welcome. Overall..Great SUV

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  Whew what a car! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By MOMS Cool RX330 - February 16 - 2:00 am

  One ride and your set! I had the Rx 300 and this Rx330 is quite the difference! Just awesome!

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  bread and butter of sport sedans - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By NOLA - February 14 - 10:00 am

  Got rid of my VW Jetta GLX and got this. No more ridiculously expensive parts -- this is Japanese reliability and price with German performance. Who can beat that???

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  Great car! - 2002 Lexus SC 430
  By Dog - February 14 - 10:00 am

  The Lexus Sc430 is a very good car. Its a good car because it has many little devices inside of it. Such as heited seats, and a navigation system. It is also a convertble. It is a hard top convertble. The top goes in the trunk. The Sc430 also has very good wood and leather. It also has a very good trunk space when the top is up. The seats are very comfterable. In conclusion, this is a very good car.

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  The Best - 2000 Lexus LS 400
  By Pat - February 14 - 8:40 am

  I bought the Platinum Lexus LS400 in October of 2001 used. It had 13000+ miles on it. Great power and ride. Fun to drive and best of all my wife thanks me often for buying this car. She does not care for autos in general but knows quality when she sees it!! Great car!!!

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  Whats a Bimmer? - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By April B - February 14 - 1:13 am

  I think this car is at the top of the sport sedan list!

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  LS 400 - 2000 Lexus LS 400
  By ls400 - February 14 - 1:10 am

  Nice in all aspects, the body is a head turner. Reliable, will probably last a lifetime with a proper maintenance.

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  Still Running Strong - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By wilsonmd - February 14 - 12:20 am

  Weve had our car for almost 6 years now. It currently has 140,000 miles on it and I am happy to say they have been carefree miles! We havent had to do anything to this car (other than normal maintenance)! It still rides smooth and quiet!