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 Great Car - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Jerry - May 4 - 8:43 pm

  I have just over 5000 miles on this vehicle, and I love it. Quietest car Ive ever driven. You coast up to a red light and sit there in blissful silence. EPA estimates 27 highway, 31 city. My experience is that I get at least as good or better mileage on the highway, at least at speeds not over 65. Ive averaged about 28 city, and 28 or 29 highway. Not bad for an SUV. I find that I try to drive smoother and easier, to see how much I can get out of the battery before the V6 kicks in.

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  Reliable Luxury - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By V Gianotti - May 2 - 12:13 am

  An older albeit slightly outdated style but comfortable and reliable. Plenty of room for an average person but may be a bit cramped for a larger adult. Seats are comfortable and firm and the vehicle is solid and sound. Road noise is non-existant and the stereo is excellent. Overall an excellent vehicle for anyone who wants luxury and reliability without paying top dollar for a newer car.

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  Love My 2008 LS460 - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By yawsboy - May 1 - 7:16 am

  I leased a new 2008 Lexus LS460 in mid- December. I thoroughly enjoy driving this car. I owned a 2001 LS430 prior to the LS460, and I could not imagine a better made, more luxurious car in the price range. However, I believe that the LS460 handles better and has a sleeker design than the LS430. I especially love all the new amenities, such as the backup camera and 8-speed transmission sport settings.

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  Dont believe the few bad reviews - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By huntid - May 1 - 2:40 am

  Do not believe the few bad reviews here. I STRONGLY believe, in my opinion only, that these are spies from the other car companies, the closest competitors writing some of this nonsense. Just a warning. Use your common sense. I have owned the car for almost a year now. Fact: it is the smoothest and quietest SUV you can buy. People are posting that its a little trucky but there is a little truth to that, but please note this is the best of all competitors out there. Fact: center console does fail miserably in design. But, I can live with it. I just drove to the Sequioas and a new X5 overheated, I just zoomed by laughing. Fact: Lexus is the most reliable car available

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  Love this Car!! - 2012 Lexus CT 200H
  By viv86 - April 30 - 4:26 am

  I wanted a hybrid but resorted to looking at cars with better gas mileage until I saw this car in a commercial and then at an Auto Show. I am so glad I found this car! I am getting the same gas mileage as the estimates but am trending better than 43 mpg. Ive only had it for two weeks and the mpg is getting better as I continue to learn how to drive it. The trunk space the interior cabin are small but for someone who doesnt drive a lot of passengers around it is fine. The beauty of this car is that you can get more power just by turning a dial to "sport mode". When in that mode the pick up is noticeably quicker than when in "normal mode". I am very happy with this car!

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  Should buy MDX F/L , biger, better design in side, - 2011 Lexus RX 350
  By jamgari - April 28 - 3:24 pm

  Like all cars there is a good thinks and not good ones. in this model i can say Lexus could do more inside of the car, design is so cheap with dashboard , at least Lexus should remove that ugly grey color of metal look. under arm glove department is so uncofy to reach since some [violative content deleted] designer decided to open it only half way, u have to open it with right hand and get what u want with left. plus space under ur right foot is for what? cant freaking reach it anyway.

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  Holds the Title Belt - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By a stewart - April 28 - 3:20 pm

  Has so much more to offer than any other car in its class for the price. Everything it offers is useful and for the most part easy to use. Superior build and sooooo quiet. A hesitant transmission at some low speeds is the only negative and eventually we have gotten used to it. Finding a car with the full options in the color we wanted was the toughest part of the sale.

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  Lack of power a real problem - 2017 Lexus GX 460
  By Ron Mann - April 27 - 2:23 am

  If you are looking for a car to drive in the mountains this is not the car for you. Poor power and the 6 speed trans is constantly downshifting trying to find a low enough gear to get up steep grades. Sloped floor in the storage area puts everything you carry against the rear door so it falls out when you open the door. Had an 05 GX470 that I loved, this is nowhere near the same car.

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  Awesome Car/Awesome value - 1995 Lexus LS 400
  By carfanatic9 - April 25 - 8:42 pm

  I bought this Lexus LS400 from a small lot. Wasnt in the best shape, but good enough. With a some TLC, i got her running like a top. A few small problems, one the a/c doesnt blow very hard, the trunk is smaller than what one would expect, the 6 disc changer. Other than that, there are no real problems to speak of. The 4.0L DOHC engine is a dream! Even at 240,000+ mi. Once you get on the highway, sustained triple digit speed is not a problem. Passing, also not a problem. Independent rear makes mountain passes a dream. All it takes is regular maintenance. I recommend Synthetic oil, for oil changes. Great car would def recommend. Would get another, but why? This ones gonna last forever!

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  Unsafe vehicle - avoid at any cost - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By LexusOldCustomer - April 25 - 10:06 am

  Have had this car for a month. While it drives better than our previous 2007 Rx this vehicle has a fatal design flaw - it rolls back on even slight incline. The dealership says that it is normal and they cannot do anything about that. The previous RX did not do that and so does not our much cheaper 2007 Civic. The car is unsafe to operate. Avoid.