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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  Quality Car like Utility Vehicle - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Alvin Mund - May 20 - 10:00 am

  This my first LUV and it my third Lexus and I find this a very practicle car like vehicle that drives and has a excellent ride and quiet interior. I purchase this Lexus in Florida and drove to Albuquerque New Mexico where I now reside. This is a Front Drive model and the only one I could get immediate delivery in Florida with out special order for 4 wheel drive. I was concerned about this , because of my move to this mountain area. I am now glad I purchased this model because of it`s better fuel milage and quicker excelleration. My next Lexus will be this model as a hybrid (gas & electric. I have just recently drove from Albuquerque to Denver Colorado and then 11,740 Feet up to Fair Play COL

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  Great Car - 2009 Lexus ES 350
  By MJP58 - May 19 - 9:43 pm

  Great mileage- ave 22.9, standard stereo is excellent, very quiet ride, traded in 2005 ES 330 Lexus and the 2009 is ten times the car- excellent quality- worth every penny!!!!

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  Gridlines Disappeared - 2015 Lexus RX 350
  By Sheila B - May 19 - 9:37 pm

  Overall I love this car, however, a recent experience has opened my eyes to what Lexus is willing to do to create a positive customer service experience. I have had this 2015 RX for 2 months. I brought it in to service this week due to the fact that the gridlines disappeared when backing up. I am being told now that the navigation system in the 2015 and camera system does not come with gridlines. I feel that these folks are calling me a liar. Why on earth would I take my car for service and ask them to fix this issue if they were never there to begin with. Service manager has contacted Lexus technical assistance and checked other 2015 models and is basically stating that the car was never equipped with the lines. I am not a happy customer........Those lines helped guide me when backing in to a tight space.

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  Fast and Fun Car to Drive - 2008 Lexus GS 450h
  By Agata Zelman - May 19 - 5:56 am

  Excellent quality, comfort, great performance car as compared to a BMW, Audi or Volvo. This is my second GS, but first hybrid and I love it.

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  Sharp Luxury - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By Pamela Jardine - May 17 - 3:13 pm

  We recently purchased the Lexus RX 350 and love it! The ride is so smooth. Fuel mileage is better than average and I love the rear door power buttton.

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  What a great car - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By Mr. Ollie - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Purchase a new GX470 a few weeks ago. All I can say is what a great car. It is well built with perfect fit and finish. Gas milage is running around 18mph with the first few tank fulls. The V8 is smooth and lots of power. It does sit high and does need HID lights.

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  disappointed - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By pricklypear - May 17 - 2:00 am

  Too many problems for a luxury car: computer failure on braking system, jerky transmission, and inferior tires. Had to replace Toyo tires at 20,000 miles due to very loud road noise. The cost of replacement was partially covered by warranty. Poor radio reception without external antenna. Poor gas mileage for a car with no "Get up & go" performance.

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  Perfect? Close, but not completely - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Thomas Battle - May 16 - 5:16 pm

  Hoped the vehicle would be perfect (my SC 430 almost is). However, while the 400 RX is a great vehicle, it has some flaws, the main one being gas mileage is much less than expected. Got only 21.6 mpg the first 4257 miles (mix of highway and city with AC 100% of time). Note: actual calculation of mileage is about 2 mpg less than indicated on screen. (Dont say it is my driving style -- I always get no less than EPA estimated mpg on my SC 430 and other vehicles.) Dealer says others reporting the same mileage situation, but "should" improve as get more miles on vehicle. At least, uses regular gas.

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  You can almost have it all - 2007 Lexus GS 450h
  By bhamer - May 15 - 11:50 pm

  What I wanted: reliability, green car, sporty handling and acceleration, ability to fit five passengers, ultimate comfort, 4 wheel drive. What I got: everything but 4 wheel drive. What an amazing car. Dont be fooled by the similar appearance to other GS versions. I test drove the standard gas version of this car and found it lackluster, noisy and boring. This car is totally different. It is the fastest and most powerful in the GS line up and has remarkable acceleration. It gets around 27 mpg in non performance mode too. Its an amazing blend of comfort and technology.

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  Definitely worth a look - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By CC - May 15 - 10:36 pm

  Im a first-time Lexus owner. I traded my Honda Ridgeline pickup for a 2010 Lexus RX350 crossover as I was looking for something smaller that had plenty of cargo space plus the AWD capability for Colorado snowstorms. I must say I am quite impressed. I was seriously torn between the RX350 and the Volvo XC60, but the Lexus won out when I test drove both (3 times) and found the Lexus had more hip/shoulder room for my 62" frame, yet was very easy to load and enter/exit for my 50" wife. I believe the RX350 is built on a Toyota Camry frame, which gives it a great smooth ride that doesnt have that stiff "truck" ride that some SUVs have. So far, MPG are 23-24 after one tank of 87 octane.