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 Dream come true - 2002 Lexus GS 300
  By spiderman - January 2 - 10:00 am

  An unbelievable automobile. I will never drive anything other than a Lexus again

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  My annoying GS300... - 2002 Lexus GS 300
  By Katherine - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Darn it! I keep getting pulled over. I bought my GS300 about 6 months ago and I cannot keep from driving 80mph on the freeway. I swear it feels like I am going the speed limit but twice now I have seen those flashing lights. This car is AMAZING! It is quiet, comfortable, responsive, fast, etc, etc. And my Mark Levinson radio cannot be beat.

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  Smooth Jazz On Wheels - 1999 Lexus LS 400
  By lexpilot - January 2 - 10:00 am

  My 99 LS 400 5 speed is much faster than my 97 4 speed. Ive owned expensive cars for 20 years and this is my favorite. A usable hotrod. Perfect for trips. Concert sound going down the road. Quiet inside. The most restful car on a trip around. Room to put your luggage. In short a perfect long distance cruiser. No wonder there are a lot of high mileage LS 400s around.

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  Quiet and comfortable - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By Craig - January 1 - 9:46 pm

  Quietest and most comfortable car I have ever owned. Previously drove an Acura TL. Gas mileage is excellent - average 27 city, 34 highway. Would definitely buy again.