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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  2003 Lexus 430 - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Gene Renzaglia - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Great car to drive, with both power and comfort. Handles very well in all situations and has the power to move you out when need be. Excellent sound system...upgraded. Quiet ride... Disappointed that the 300 and 430 look alike on the exterior. Would have liked to seen a difference.

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  In a Class and World of Its Own - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By doctorwww - January 27 - 10:00 am

  I have owned/leased 16 Lexus vehicles in the past 11 years and I KNOW there is no better make of automobile - anywhere! Get one (any model) and you will NEVER regret it.

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  #1 - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By johne37179 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  With Lexus you get more than a car, you get a dealer network that puts all others to shame. You also get a support network and company that is first class. I have owned/leased four Lexus. I have also owned and/or leased Mercedes S class and an Infinity Q45. All of these are fine automobiles, but not in the Lexus class. Lexus has raised the bar in customer service and vehicle quality.

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  impressed - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By bojai - January 27 - 10:00 am

  everything about the car is great. except that the size of the gas tank is too small so you often have to go to the gas station to fill up. it only averages 300 miles on a full tank. also, it lacks power. car is very smooth and rides nice but it does not have enough acceleration for 4.7 liter 8 cyliner vehicle. other than this, everything is great and i enjoy driving the car.

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  LExus es 300 - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Bonny Dore - January 27 - 10:00 am

  ES 300 is the best car in the world ..if only it could also be a convertible !

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  330 removes all doubts - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By tribble - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Was ready to get last years es 300 for its quality, rep, and luxury but a little afraid of its sluggish performance numbers (200 hp). Started to consider the G35 instead. Then I heard about the es 330 and its improved performance (225 hp), so I waited. V. glad I did. Lexus has delivered the goods. Theyve removed what little there was wrong with the 300. Perfect luxury sedan for the entry level market. Feels like youre driving a car worth twice as much. Granted, only had the 330 for two weeks now, but its everything I hoped for. Quiet, smooth, tight. And if you can swing it, get the GPS package. Very fun toy for tech-heads.

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  Safety - 2008 Lexus RX 400H
  By strokedoc - January 27 - 8:30 am

  My wife and 18 month old were just in a severe accident an run off the road into a telephone pole that completely crushed the car. My wife and baby left with only a slight bump on her head. We are going to get another one immediately. Safety is everything.

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  Lexus LX 470 - 1999 Lexus LX 470
  By Paul - January 27 - 8:16 am

  We love our LX 470, I especially liked the way it did in the mountains. It is easily the smoothest riding vehicle in its class that I have ever driven. People are always asking if it is a new vehicle. I tell them it has high miles and a 1999 and they find it hard to believe.

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  Runs Perfect at 100,000 miles! - 2000 Lexus GS 300
  By DWF - January 26 - 6:53 pm

  My 2000 GS300 was purchased used off eBay at a good price in June 2005 with 90k miles. No rust, ran perfect, great shape. But, I decided to refresh it anyway by replacing all rotors (drilled/slotted), brakes, timing belt, water pump, complete tune-up, alignment, replaced cam seals, flushed and replaced all fluids and had it detailed. It looks and runs like a brand new car. Best car I ever owned old or new in 20 yrs. You can really feel the quality that went into the design and construction. Ride is smooth and quiet, shifts like silk, sound system very nice. At 100,000 miles now, it is just getting broken in and should last another 200,000. Highly recommend!

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  Goodbye Acura..hello Lexus - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By TODDNDEB - January 26 - 2:23 pm

  My wife and I have driven Acuras for years. We had a TL and wanted an SUV. The MDX couldnt compare to the RX 330 when it came to luxury and ride comfort. This is a great vehicle that manages to provide a pure luxury sedan feel with the ruggedness of an SUV. It offers great handling and style.The Lexus cache cant be beat, and as good as Acura is, it doesnt make the "luxury" impression that Lexus does.