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:

• 

  Unpredictable Lexus - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By SUDDENLEXUS - October 25 - 11:23 pm

  I love my Lexus RX 300. I upgraded from a Honda Prelude. It has a lot of features to keep me interested. It is fun to drive and my daughter is having fun throwing everything on the floor.

• 

  From ES to LS - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By John L - October 25 - 1:30 pm

  After owning an ES 300, my next natural move was to an LS 430. I cannot imagine owning anything else but a Lexus.

• 

  Best SUV I ever had - 2010 Lexus GX 460
  By esteier - October 24 - 6:13 pm

  I got Base model with most options, couldnt be happier. So far only problem I have is either it needs wheel alignment or tires need air adjustment. It is quiet, luxurious and very comfortable. I am getting used to truck like feeling compared to BMW and Acura SUV I had before. My kids love this SUV.

• 

  04 Sport Design Auto5 Sedan - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By Black Sport Design - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Moving on from 6spd manual sports car. Ride comfort is as good as itll get while maintaining this wonderful handling. During sharp cornering, moderate bodyroll. Acceleration very responsive, will not down shift needlessly due to high torque and close ratio gearing (even Auto). Highway very stable, good throttle response. tourque is very high due to inline-6, HP is just enough to give spirited ride. The lack of performance is balanced by luxury and handling. You wont regret value VS price paid. Purchased for invoice price, other test drives include Subaru wrx Sti, BMW330, Maxda RX-8, Infinity G-35, Acura TL.

• 

  My Lexus sc430 - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Ira Ginsberg - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I feel great when I cruise arond town with the top down.Also, enjoy taking it on a road trip.

• 

  The Best Value Car - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Yazaemon - October 24 - 10:00 am

  I have always been truthful with Mercedes for the past 20 years. I had SEL, S, E, and C for my son. As the qaulity of Mercedes is declining rapidly, I finally decided to give a change to Lexus and bought LS430. I was shocked to find out what I had misses for the past few years. This is the best car I have ever driven and I will now be truthful with Lexus. I wonder wehter Mercedes can straighted themselves out in a near future!

• 

  After 4 Years - Drives like new - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By cambino123 - October 24 - 5:10 am

  Ive owned this machine for almost 4 years now. The ride is still crisp and the pickup is still strong. Had to get the dash rattles fixed under warranty. This car is a delight to drive and makes my wife mad because I always want to take it out.

• 

  Fail Lexus, The Buick of Japanese Automakers - 2011 Lexus GX 460
  By tazdevl - October 24 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Lexus. In hindsight I should have bought something else. I dont know if Ill buy another one. Lexus has gotten complacent and are seeing declining sales for this very reason. They had an opportunity to improve the GX470. Instead they have made a series of poor design decisions and dropped the ball on acceptance criteria which resulted in a subpar and dated product making it to market right out of the gate. Couple examples and it gets worse. 2010 RX350 has compass in mirror, offroad SUV does not. Have to use remote to turn on rear ent, no way via nav. Lexus needs to respond to complaints and do something, instead of just giving lip service. No longer the Lexus of old.

• 

  I liked my 2000 Lexus better - 2006 Lexus LX 470
  By Henry Ferrino - October 22 - 11:50 am

  After only three weeks and almost 4000 miles, Ive developed a love/hate relationship with the vehicle. Lexus has seen fit to "refine" the ride of the vehicle by using Dunlop tires instead of the Michelins we all loved. This has created more body roll in turns than I find acceptable. Stiffer sidewalls were better. In an effort to keep us safe, Many functions are disabled while the car is in motion, such as Navigation System input. Also, when locking or unlocking you are subjected to that insidious "beep" that not even the dealer can eliminate. I think that Lexus has forgotten its off-road roots and has created a not so special vehicle-for-the-money. Id rather have an older model.

• 

  my lexus story - 2001 Lexus GS 300
  By jose torres - October 22 - 10:00 am

  I WAS IMPRESSED WITH MY FIRST JAPANESE CAR. THE APPEARANCE AND ENGINEERING FAR SURPASSED THE AMERICAN DESIGNS.I AN SOLD ON LEXUS.