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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  What a car!! - 1996 Lexus LS 400
  By tigerbone - February 16 - 4:17 am

  I have a 96 ls400 with 160,000 miles on it. This car is amazing. I just took it from ohio to cali, and this era of Lexus quality and build is unmatched. I have a friend that has a 05 bmw 3 series, and he had to put a new trans. in his car, he is now wanting a Lexus ls:)

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  New Car Review - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Ken Cluley - February 14 - 3:13 pm

  We have approximately 4K miles on this vehicle and we are very pleased with it. It is the quietest car we have ever owned and the gas mileage is close to advertised. Beautiful interior and extremely comfortable leather seating. Suspension is unmatched and the car handles like a dream.

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  It Doesnt Get Better Than This - 2013 Lexus LS 460
  By mitchellrowe - February 13 - 8:22 am

  We have owned several LS Models since 1989 when the Brand Was Born . The 2013 Base and Model "L" would win the "Grammy" and the "Oscar" . The Automobile is a Work of Art . The redesigned 2013 & 2014 have personality The "soul" of the machine enthralls the driver , each time you enter the motorized vault , and sit in the automotive pleasure , as the world can be seen outside , but not heard . Effortlessly listening to the "Levinson" , or ones own thoughts . Mechanically and Simplistically The New LS is at a New Automotive Pinnacle.

• 

  I hate it - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By Oculos - February 13 - 7:18 am

  The right side A-pillar is so sloped, its almost like a horizontal blind obscuring your vision to the right. The rear view mirror is so large and low, it seriously impedes your vision out the front. The lane departure steering wheel shaker is aggravating as hell. Absent these three issues I would like it a lot. As is, I hate it.

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  X Land Cruiser Owner - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By stevet - February 13 - 2:00 am

  As an avid Land Cruiser fan (7 yrs/2 vehicles) it was difficult to put out another $10K “for the same vehicle” but after a test drive and closer evaluation of the added features it was a no brainer (these are listed below in my perceived order of value). After 2 months I’m more convinced I made the right decision. The ability to lower the vehicle has eliminated my wife “hopping” in and out and has proved to be quite useful in parking. Not only is there practically non existent road noise there is also the absence of traffic “fumes” thanks to the air quality sensor tied to external/internal air flow control. I strongly recommend this vehicle to anyone.

• 

  X Land Cruiser Owner - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By SteveT - February 13 - 2:00 am

  As an avid Land Cruiser fan (7 yrs/2 vehicles) it was difficult to put out another $10K “for the same vehicle” but after a test drive and closer evaluation of the added features it was a no brainer (these are listed below in my perceived order of value). After 2 months I’m more convinced I made the right decision. The ability to lower the vehicle has eliminated my wife “hopping” in and out and has proved to be quite useful in parking. Not only is there practically non existent road noise there is also the absence of traffic “fumes” thanks to the air quality sensor tied to external/internal air flow control. I strongly recommend this vehicle to anyone.

• 

  I love my Car - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By IS300owner - February 13 - 2:00 am

  It was the handling that sold me on this car.

• 

  Balanced - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By spylogic - February 13 - 2:00 am

  I think this car is awesome. Its a pleasure to drive everyday. Sure it could use a little more hp but Ill fix that with a few modifications that will still keep in under warranty. It has all the modern creature comforts inside and fits my life style very well. In general I think its a great value.

• 

  A Drivers dream car - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By dolores2k@mediaone.n - February 13 - 2:00 am

  i love the free car washes and the way im treated at the dealer. i like the roominess of the trunk; my CD-changer and the sound from the 7 speakers; the comfort of ALL the seats; the bright map light and the eyeglass holder; ease in closing doors, opening windows, and locking doors. the overall ultra- smooth ride and handling in traffic and on the highway is the ultimate, but the dependability and reliability cant be beat!

• 

  Annoying but feels good... - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By scott 40 - February 13 - 2:00 am

  Guess what? Im 40, eschewed the Beamer and Q and went for the safe bet..the LS 430. I love the car, but has been beset with annoying problems...orange peel paint on roof (fiexed by dealer), shuddering steering wheel retraction mechanism (replaced by dealer), annoying tick tick sound in the dash and door are (allegedly fixed, but I can still hear it; the car is soo damn quiet) and I too have noticed the frigging tires are almost worn at 17K miles! I have obviously been disappointed in Lexus "quality" and chose not to buy my wife the new GX470. Sorry guys, Acura MDX wins the SUV race. I do however love the way the car drives and accelerates.