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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  Luxury Suv - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By Nike587 - October 22 - 10:00 am

  This is a great SUV. Anyone thinking about getting it, should definitely test drive it. It rides so well you think that you are in a luxury sedan. It handles really well in the snow. It is a great vehicle for all occasions. It would look great going to a bussiness dinner or to a secret cabin in the woods.

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  new is better - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By jcy - October 22 - 10:00 am

  just got my new LX470 a week ago, and already put in 350 miles( cant resist to spin it around the town).This car is built with the highest quality and so comfortable, smooth and luxury that you dont feel like driving a SUV. I had owned and driven Acura MDX(2001&2002 models)recently, and there is no comparison!!! You get what you pay for.

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  Great car-cannot back up safe - 2001 Lexus LX 470
  By Dennis Fields - October 22 - 10:00 am

  How can such an expensive car not have a warning for back up like the cheaper Fords and GM cars?

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  OMG - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By troy124 - October 22 - 12:05 am

  My girlfriend bought this car with 100,000 miles on it and it now has about 130,000 miles and runs like a champ. Im pretty rough on cars/ Love to go fast/ and this car is awesome. Great on gas drives smooth and we never have any problems with it. The car is worth about 4 to 5 thousand and in saying that I dont think I would find a car like this good for the same price. Im shocked at how well it run seeing it is a 96 and has over 100,000 miles on it but I must say this car is super great, dont think we are getting rid of it until the wheels fall off. I would take this 96 lexus over these new 2010 american cars anyday.

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  I love my car - 2009 Lexus RX 350
  By Jo Ann - October 21 - 4:46 am

  This is our first Lexus and will not be the last. In the past 15 years we have had 7 new Jeeps and that will never happen again. Point is, we love mid size SUVs. We got our new 2009 RX 350 in April, 2008 and the following week we went on a cruise, a wonderful cruise, but I could not wait to get home to my Lexus. I love my car. It rides like a dream. I LOVE MY CAR.

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  Best Ever - 2008 Lexus RX 350
  By itsybitt - October 19 - 2:36 pm

  This is the 3rd RX we have purchased. Great ride, comfort, power, and by far the best car we have ever purchased. 5 stars.

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  A Perfect Friend - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By dionysus - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Interior is awesome and unparalleled, comparing to those German $100K whatever. Exterior is grandiose. It kept 5 people comfortable in a 3000+ mile trip, mostly highway at 85mph and 14mpg. No electrical problem, no degrading in the ride quality so far. Bluetooth is convenient. DVD nav is handy, also the backup camera. Mark Levinson is better than some home audio. Ownership is superb. Overall, it does more than I can dream out of a $70K SUV. It gives me all the confidence I need for driving. For my family, its an ultimate friend, way beyond a machine. I love her.

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  GREAT - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By JARebo - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive had this car for about 2.5 years now, and I still love it. The car has an UNBELIEVABLE interior and is soooo comftorable (unless ur sitting in the "back seats"). This car drives very well, but you can feel the bumps and potholes. Very fast car and extremely fun to drive. "Back seats" are only useful to put your bags or umbrellas. The convertible hardtop aspect is great, especially for me living in New York weather. Once I had a flat tire, and went to the gas station to get it changed, and they couldnt find the spare tire, so we went home and we realized that the tires were RUN FLAT- it was amazing; you could go up to 65 mph with a flat tire.

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  not too early to judge - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By george GX-470 - October 19 - 10:00 am

  After looking and eliminating the VW- Touareg and the BMW-X5 found no comparison against the GX-470. Riding, hadling, interior and exterior quality and craftsmanship and value for $$. Probably the best vehicle Ive ever owned and not to mention the VIP treatment at the Northside Lexus Houston, Tx. dealership.

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  Mistake - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By brb - October 19 - 8:36 am

  I purchased my first new Lexus ES350 looking for a quieter more comfortable ride. I was shocked that the injectors were so loud we thought we had a diesel engine. It is worse when it is cold. I guess that is why they had it in the showroom when we tried it out. I returned to dealer and they said "Thats the way it is". Anti-locking brakes shook the car (ABS). I had to have the rotors turned on this new car. Wind noise in the front windows, tires out of balance and they roared. Wind noise repaired (I think). Cup holders too small. Not enough interior storage. (They did give me a Lexus ball cap.) Would I own another Lexus? Never!