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 , but not like the previousES300s - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By musicman2721 - November 19 - 10:00 am

  1000 miles. Has an erratic transmission shift pattern. Was present in the 2002 models as well, and was suppose to be fixed by a software change, but it isnt. It is actually dangerous. If you release your gas pedal, and press it back to where it was you get a huge thump. You also find it very hesitantif going from say 27 to 40 mph. The delay is very noticeable, dont get into an intersection, and need immediate move. First Lexus says, the fix is delayed (shelved), and now theysay end of 2003. I dont think Lexus knows how to fix this 5 speed problem. It affects power because normal gas pedal pressing doesnt allow the transmission to shift quick enough.

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  2010 RX - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By alk - November 19 - 5:30 am

  having had the chance to own the rx 07 model prior to this is giving me mixed emotions about the 2010 model. first, the interior I know has been redesigned but the quality of the materials used for the older model is better.The technology is amazingly fun to use although the bluetooth doesnt work with all phone models.

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  Our first Lexus - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By A Town Bubba - November 15 - 4:26 pm

  I finally tempted my wife out of her SUV with this car. After a week of daily use and one road trip, I asked how she liked it. She replied "I will never own anything else". I look forward to many years of driving this and other Lexus cars.

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  Not a Lexus customer - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By John Gatturna - November 11 - 11:36 pm

  The car is an attempt to align the practical & fun nature of an off road with a luxury vehicle. The 2 dont mix well. Pleasant exterior lines. Engaging the 4 wheel drive is awkward and inefficient; only added cost to an already over priced product.

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  Safety? - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By Paul - November 3 - 1:43 pm

  Got this GX-470 2003 back on 04/2003, fully loaded. Since then visited dealer once for turning signal light bulb (got replaced for free even after warranty expiration). Other than that - only scheduled maintenance. Never drove anything better than this (including x5/3.0-2007) before or after. Few days ago my daughter got hit by Civic into passenger side on a street (35 mph, at the time of impact even slower for both cars). My GX fell on drivers side, total loss. My girl landed on asphalt through drivers window under my GX, covered by broken glass, cut her left arm and elbow. Her passenger bumped her head. All bags in my GX are intact. WHAT IS SAFETY?

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  Uncomfortable ride - 2009 Lexus RX 350
  By Dave Yurkanin - November 2 - 12:10 am

  I purchased a 2009 RX 350 last month. I traded in a 2007 ES 350 for it. I have read so many reviews about how comfortable the RX is, I decided to get one for the extra cargo room when needed. As it turns out, I find it very uncomfortable driving. I had it back to the dealer and they found nothing wrong. Passengers also notice the bumpy ride. This vehicle took the joy out of driving.

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  Great Sporty Luxury Car - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By Stephen - November 1 - 9:00 am

  My friend picked up this car after crashing his Passat. After he took me for a ride, I had to get my own. Although its not as fast as the 250/350 series, I think the exterior is more attractive. I bought mine with a ground effects package, custom rims, and spoiler. Later, I added tinted windows. Overall, especially with the customization, it is a very attractive and sporty car. It is fast with great handling except for occasionally slipping in wet spots. The price was right for a luxury vehicle. The mileage isnt great for a small car. After 30,000 miles, I havent had a single problem.

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  Pulls left - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Sean Weiner - November 1 - 2:00 am

  Great vehicle; however, it pulls left. Internal Memo received from JM Lexus also shows that it is a problem with many of the 04 ES 330s also pull to the left. It was fixed FIVE times, and still pulls.

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  Expensive, but great value - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By et415 - October 27 - 3:46 pm

  I was going to buy a V8 Toyota 4Runner, thinking it was a better value than the GX, with the same engine and build quality. Then I priced a 4Runner with the options that I wanted, then I realized the price difference between the 4Runner and better equipped GX (even in base form--no options) was very small (granted, I got my GX at the end of model year). Plus the GX has great resale value, so I thought I would make up the difference at resale. After I bought the GX, I was in heaven! It is so quiet, smooth, and refined in a high seating position that I feel like Im flying through the sky in a silent glider (though I usually have the in-dash 6-CD player cranked up--the base system is great!).

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  They almost have it... - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By terpfan - October 25 - 10:00 am

  This is a really super car for a 1st year. The swade-ish leather interior is a good feature because it is never too hot or too cold. It is fun to drive and handles real well (except for traction control...which I always turn off). The only downsides are bad fuel mileage, no center armrest to speak of, and no telescopic steering.