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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  Boring SUV - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By BORING - September 10 - 11:46 pm

  Very boring SUV. Its quiet and smooth and reliable but not for people who like to drive. And its good offroad! And without KDSS (additional option) the truck isnt very stable. And to top it off it loses a lot of market value.

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  PERFECT CAR - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Bill - September 10 - 9:20 pm

  This is my absolute favorite automobile. I have owned a Benz S and a BMW 7, and neither compair to the LS 430. The Lexus is hands down the best luxury car on the road. never had any problems, as i did with the BMW and the Benz, and i spent less in the Lexus. the ride is much, much smoother and softer, the engine has more then enough power for any luxury car driver. I will never drive anything other then a LS, Best Car on the road.

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  lots of fun - 2002 Lexus GS 300
  By tootsie - September 10 - 10:00 am

  A very good overall car,fun to drive. It is certainly not a sports car. It has a plush and very confortable ride.Great on long trips. The seats adjust very nicely to you and the lumbar support is good.

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  In love with mine... - 1999 Lexus LX 470
  By Simon_Capell - September 10 - 10:00 am

  Wanted a Land Cruiser with a bit extra comfort and Lexus level dealer service. Got it all and more with this vehicle - it continues to surprise me with its awesome construction quality and smoothness of operation. You just drive it and it works - simple as that. Spent a reasonable amount of time off road as well and it has been faultless (mountain passes/driveable beaches/deep snow).

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  Should have kept my Audi - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By StikW/AUDI - September 10 - 10:00 am

  If all cars drove as poorly as mine wed all take public transportation. The dealership, when they can be bothered to return my calls, tells me its normal for a Lexus to have an extreme amount of vibration in the steeringwheel, even on the smoothest roads you can find in southern California.

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  Toyota in a tuxedo - 2005 Lexus GS 300
  By jouvonte - September 8 - 6:10 pm

  When I compare both my GS300 and BMW 525 the GS is equal to or better in all categories except handling...but its very close. The GS has an ageless design, beautiful fit and finish and unmatched reliability. The soft, black leather interior with a splash of dark burl wood is absolutely stunning...you wont be disapointed with this luxury sports car. The Lexus key is the one I reach for when I leave the house!!

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  Happy camper - 2015 Lexus RX 450h
  By snowman22 - September 8 - 10:36 am

  Picked up the 2015 RX450h in March. Traded in a 2013RX 350. Gotta tell you the 2013 was a gas hog. Only 16 mpg. Tried everything to improve. No luck . The 2015 RX 450 h is just the opposite. Great mpg. Average of 28-29 city only driving. Could not be happier with the whole package. Car is loaded. Stargaze Black over Black. Hard to believe but it is even quieter than the 2013. Rides great with the 19" tires and rims. I believe with warmer weather and summer blen gasoline the mpg will,go,even higher. Glad we got the 2015. The 2016 redesign is not to our liking. We love the soft sculptured lines of the 2015 ext. And int.
  
  
  
  

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  Better than Benz - 2007 Lexus LS 460
  By Lisa - September 7 - 8:33 am

  I test drove the Benz S series. No comparison. My Benz experience bad, so I said lets try Lexus. Fell in love immediately! Bottom line, reliability. Everything is great, except I wish instead of ash tray they used that for storage. I want a place to just put my phone or keys. If you have the $s this is the car. Power, looks, reliability, this car has it!

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  Fine Vehicle - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Fine Vehicle - September 7 - 5:40 am

  I traded in my 04 RX330 for the GX for I needed more capacity and capability. FOR A TRUCK, it handles, drives and rides exceptionally well. The mpg at 18 is expected for this type of vehicle. The quality, like my RX is superb. The nav. system is easy to use, and the backup camera is an absolute must have due to the inherent blind spots. I made sure I got the Michelins, and have had no trouble whatsoever, like I have often read from other owners. Overall, for me, I feel it is the best from the list I chose, incl. the SRX, the horribly unreliable VW T-Reg, the Benz and the fun driving, but impractical and rather unreliable X5. I am so far very pleased with the GX, and would recommend it.

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  2016 Lexus RX450H an excellent car to own & drive - 2016 Lexus RX 450h
  By Bharat Rathi - September 6 - 6:22 pm

  Really love driving our new Lexus RX450H. Excellent car overall. The mouse control on the electronics is very sensitive. They could have made this a bit less sensitive -- that would have made managing the navigation settings a bit easier.