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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  Sold on the Test Drive - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By ERDELL - June 2 - 7:26 pm

  It has a quiet, smooth as silk ride and handles well, taking turns much better than my 2000 Chrysler Concorde LXi. I only have 3 complaints, although they are minor. The rear passengers complain that they have no room for their feet, as the front seats are low to the floor. Second, why cant the Japanese make seats comparable to those in American cars? My Chrysler seats were much better padded and roomier. 3rd, Toyota Sienna is much better appointed with tiny things that make a difference, like a little hook you can flip out to hold a garbage bag. The Lexus doesnt even have a compartment for sunglasses, which even my husbands Sentra has. For $38,000+ I expect more details.

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  COMFORT COMFORT COMFORT - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By smashingk - June 1 - 5:53 am

  I bought my car fully loaded 4 years ago and I still love it. I have never had problems and it drives like a dream. The ride is very smooth and comfortable. I have owned several different cars/suvs in the past and this is the best car by far. I have since bought another Lexus LS 430 ultra luxury model.

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  Excellent car - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By UncleNick - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Excellent car, typical Toyota build quality, A-1!!! Fun to drive, very comfortable. Bulletproof drivetrain from the 2JZ-GE motor(from Suparas past) super reliable.

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  My 2003 SC 430 - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By Joejena - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I love this car, my 4th Lexus. The style is sharp, the interior comfortable and very classy looking. Holds the road great.

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  Relatively the best - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By owner2000 - May 31 - 10:00 am

  Owned for about 2K Miles now and no problems. Checked out every major competitive brand and chose this one because: Best combination of - safety, design, fit & finish, economy, quality. Only BMW top end uses better materials but fails in quality (dependability) and economy. Not to mention it is too small. Mercedes is was a disapointment. Volvo needs to re-think engine/trans. design. VW would have been too big a risk in dependability, also poor economy. RX 330 could use a few improvements but that would make the car perfect and nothing is perfect...right?

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  Quality not as good as with the 300 - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By hlubick - May 31 - 10:00 am

  If all the goodies were taken away, you would still have an SUV that does not have the best working transmission, and brakes that fade.

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  Wow! - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Sid - May 30 - 7:10 pm

  *** Price *** Amazing value for money. *** Ride *** Havent experienced a smoother ride in an SUV so far. The road noise is almost non-existent. *** Performance *** Somewhat lacking in performance as compared to the MDX, but the styling and all the rest of the features make it a much better buy. *** Dealer *** The dealer was very courteous and helpful in our buying process. *** Finally *** Our 1st Lexus and dont think this will be the last.

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  Transmission Slips at 25,000 miles - 2009 Lexus RX 350
  By cyberchic - May 30 - 12:43 am

  i bought this car as a cpo 9 months ago. 17000 miles on it. The transmission slips. when I slow down like to turn or in traffic and then step back on the gas, the car revs but its like its in neutral, then I hear a thump and it lurches forward. Or it will shudder for a second, then thud and lurch forward. I have been to the dealership 2x already. they say there is nothing wrong, this is how the car is designed to drive. A car this expensive should not drive like this. I called Lexus and I am awaiting a response back.

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  great suv - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By david/greenberg - May 29 - 11:43 am

  I love our rx300. its the best. it drives great. here is a car wew love very much. it is very well bulit. the rx300 was the best car we have ever had.

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  A perfect "10" - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By gary peters - May 25 - 2:23 pm

  Wonderful, dazzling, real high tech, amazing..vehicle..quiet, shines in town, fun to drive, feels like a performance vehicle when you need to accelerate, battery operated around town and low speeds..the best SUV available today..