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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  Outstanding Car - 1996 Lexus LS 400
  By roadrunner - December 11 - 10:03 am

  Joy to own. Ride comfort and handling are superb. We love it. It is Mr. Reliable. Road trips are great in this car. Maintenance costs are more but has not been much more than a normal car. MPH: 22-27. 2 years ago, as I was traveling down a 2-lane road, a car entered my lane coming fast & directly toward me. I was going 60 mph. I cut the steering wheel sharply to at least a 45-degree angle to get out of the lane & toward the ditch. I turned the car sharply to the left down the shoulder. The car was still in my lane as I passed it. Emergency maneuverability: superb.

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  Sometimes a car is better than you think its going to be - 2013 Lexus CT 200H
  By kofender - December 11 - 4:02 am

  Ive had my CT200h for 2 weeks now, and while I really liked the car when I bought it, it has turned out to be better than I expected. Lets start with gas mileage: Im getting 50 mpg (not 42). Its way comfy and easy to get in and out of. The acceleration is just fine (and I drive a lot on the highway). Its very solid and more fun to drive than I ever expected. Overall, this was a much better choice than some of the other hybrids I considered (I only drive hybrids; this is my third). And heck, theres snob appeal to driving a Lexus, too.

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  Expectations Met - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By MTaylorGB - December 11 - 2:00 am

  A new job means a 120-mile daily commute. While a loyal, long term BMW driver, my M3 and Z4 are not really suitable for this kind of motoring so I went in search of a comfortable cruiser. Looked at the new 5-series, Merc C and E class, Audi A6 and more. The ES330 offered an amazing combination of smooth ride, luxury, fuel economy, features, price, size and safety. If you like to drive a car, forget Lexus. I bought the Z4 in favor of the sterile SC430. If you just want to motor in quiet luxury, Lexus probably has your car.

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  RX330 Reigns - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Patoutou - December 11 - 2:00 am

  The RX330 reigns supreme in the kingdom of SUVs. From its design to the level of comfort that it offers,the RX330s supremacy among SUVs is not a matter for debate. Its the best mid-size luxury SUV in its class

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  disappointment - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By baronzon - December 11 - 2:00 am

  Interior vibrates if the car hits a bump on the road, arm rest is to high,which couses disaliantment of vertabreas and pain in the neck, it also very firm and narrow, which can cause ulnar nerve injuary. Safer not to use. Second safe braking pedal positoned in the left lower coner can cause injury to the ankle in case of accident, impossible to rlax left leg under it, hits the fron serfice of lower extrimity. Climate control when put in "Auto" blows wind into the face. If you change settings you will cancell "auto".

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  2013 RX 450h vs 2006 RX400h - 2013 Lexus RX 450h
  By pcwlexus - December 11 - 1:06 am

  I purchased a new 2013 RX450h after having the original RX400h since April 2005. Since its been 7 model years of advancements I expected the new 450h to be more technically advanced then my 400h (it truly is), but I am amazed how much better it is overall. The 2013 handles much better, is quieter, and the transitions from no engine to having the engine cut on are not noticeable like they were on the 400h; especially at traffic lights. The 2013 feels much more substantial and you really dont hear the road noise or the loud engine go-cart like sounds that I could hear when I accelerated with the 400h.

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  If she hasnt done anything shes done enough!!! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Cristy B - December 9 - 6:31 am

  I purchased this car in 2001, pre-certified with 56,000 miles. My youngest child was 4 years old. She is freshman in college this year. We have driven her to pre-school up to college in this vehicle on several occasions. This car hasnt put me down so far, shes still going strong.

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  My Lexi is GR8! - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By Lexi - December 8 - 11:10 am

  I never mind paying the monthly note on this car. I am currently living in Germany and get to take this car out on the Autobahn. It runs so smooth at speeds that are not legal in the states! I just wish Lexus would have put on longer lasting tires as a standard feature. I love this car!

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  Stylish inside and out-lots of features - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By luvmylexus - December 8 - 4:36 am

  Ive only had this car for a few weeks and I love it! I did a lot of research before finally deciding on purchasing the new 2010 Lexus RX350. Lexus is known for luxury and quality and this car will not disappoint. The new interior design is the best part. Navi is great. Ride is smooth and comfortable. Headlights are great. Lots of safety features. So many features make this car great and convenient to drive. I noticed in a previous post reviewer had mentioned car rolling back even on the slightest incline. I have a totally opposite experience. I have to make sure and check that Im in drive and not park since car stays put. Overall, highly recommended, wont be disappointed.

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  Overpriced - Not as advertised - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Jim B - December 7 - 5:12 am

  Excellent ride but technology definitely lags other cars. HUD is totally USELESS and a joke at best. Speed limit is displayed randomly with no logic and makes no sense. It is always on the Navigation display in the center of the dash but only on the HUD less than 10% of the time at best. Where is the logic in that? When I took it back to the dealer, they said it was designed that way to reduce the clutter on the HUD and only show up occasionally as a reminder. Are you serious? When I look for it, it is because I want or need to know speed limit where I’m driving. So now I have to look at the navigation screen in the center of the console and take my eyes off the road. This is a 2018 car and the navigation database is June 2016 almost 2 years old. That is hilarious to me. To spend that much money on a navigation system and then turn around and have to go buy an update Which is 1 year old is insane. Save your money, and use your smart phone with Google Maps which is a better mapping system, more accurate, with latest data, and a better display. The PCS system does not even come remotely close to providing sufficient warning and application of the brakes to keep from hitting someone or something. There is no way you would want to be in front of a car and test the system. And in fact Lexus demonstration videos do not show any test of the system with actual people or vehicles in front of the car but a dummy is used instead. Good thing. I have ridden in a 2016 Infiniti QX60 that provides excellent warning and application of brakes. The 2018 Lexus is no comparison and the system will not adequately or safely perform. The rear hatchback will supposedly open with just a wave of your hand over the L symbol. It didn’t work when they demonstrated car to me, so they had maintenance department disconnect the battery for 30 seconds and reconnected and it worked. When I went to pick the car up for delivery it did not work again. So they repeated the same battery disconnect. It worked before leaving the dealership but the following day it would not work again. I called the dealer and he said I had two options, that I could bring the car back into the dealership, or I could disconnect the battery myself and leave it disconnected for 30 seconds and then reconnect and it will start working again. Seriously? So I just bought a 60+ thousand dollar car and I am going to be disconnecting the battery to reset this system for another 24 hours. The logic for the electronic controls for the navigation system is not user-friendly at all. When you want to do something very simple you struggle through the menu items to find the screen that holds the selection you need to make and often times have to either pull out the manual or search online and find out how to get to the screen that you want to make the selection you need. There is absolutely no logic to that system. My daughters 2016 Infiniti QX 60 which is two years older has a much better and more logical menu system. When I purchased this lecture so I thought I was buying a better car but I was sadly mistaken. I fully intend to sell this car and replace it with a QX 60 for at least $10,000 less.