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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  RX 300 - 2003 Lexus RX 300
  By dlsjetta - December 1 - 10:00 am

  Good suv, but would of rather of had the 04 330 model. The 04 has more of what I want. WE averaged 15.8 in the city and 16.0 on the highway in gas milage. I could get the same gas milage with a V8 and more power too!!! When the sunroof is open you get a bad wind like nose with the wind defector down and/or if one of the windows opened. It buggs!!! Service is way to exspenseve, but you atleast get a free rental car. You should for the price they charge! Other than that it is a good suv. I would recomend it to anyone. Every car, truck and suv has its downs sides! As my dad would say " It is a 100 times better than an American SUV"!!!

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  Gotten better but still needs tweeking - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By paintballer1 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle drives very nice. The rear glass is a litle more slanted than my previous RX300 which makes it difficult for my dogs to be comfortable. Overall the vehicle can fill my peoples needs.

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  Falling behind - 2011 Lexus ES 350
  By aadez - November 29 - 5:45 pm

  My biggest disappointment is the Avrg 18.9 MPG in totally flat streets and highways in South Florida. Not even close to the sticker 27 mpg. The center arm rest is difficult to slide open. The phone and ipod connections are inconveniently inside the center console. The side mirrors automatically point to the ground in reverse making it impossible for one to see approaching cars or obstacles on both sides other than those on the ground. Hardly any space to hide or place objects. This is my 4th and last ES350. Have not owned one in 5 years and seems Im driving the same old Lexus with new inconveniences added. Mats are thinner and do not match the carpet color. Incomplete under dash carpet.

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  Best Car Ever! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By packagemaster - November 27 - 6:12 am

  I bought a 97 in spring of 06, with 150k miles already on it. I travel 110 miles per day, and I wanted a reliable comfortable, but cheap ride. Because of the miles, I got mine cheap. Fast forward, 2011. Now the car has 330k miles, and let me tell you, this car has been rock solid. This is list of everything I did for the car. (from my log book) 1 set of tires. 2 batteries. 8 sets of wiper blades. Oil change every 6-8k miles. (thats right) 4 air filters. 2 windshields. (rocks fly in Interstate) Front and rear Struts. 2 sets of brake pads for front, 1 set in back, 1 set of front rotors. 6 Headlight bulbs.. Im looking forward to the next 180k miles. I know this car will make it.

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  Solid vehicle for under $20K - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Dirty McNasty - November 27 - 1:23 am

  This is my first Lexus and most certainly not my last. Its funny how people dont understand how nice a Lexus is until they actually own one. They do so many little things to their vehicles that others dont. When you finally own a car thats made in Japan, youll understand. Yes, there is a known transmission jerk that you learn to avoid, trust me I own one. Plus, the dealer has a flash for the ECU to almost fix it.

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  Smooth Ride but Some Issues - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By niteflite - November 23 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car for 15 months now and have put around 15,000 miles on it. I replaced the stock run-flats with bridgestone turanza serenity after a blow-out. The car feels great on these tires. However, the car has been at the dealer several times. Grinding noise at cold start-up. Theres a TSB out for this but the dealer turned me away the first time. Called lexus corporate then the dealer invited me back and fixed it without questions. Now theres a recall on the brakes.

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  Broke - 2008 Lexus LS 460
  By Fred - November 20 - 12:13 am

  Car has been in the repair shop three times in less than 2 years. Brake problems. What a pain for a $75,000 Car.

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  A Lexus needing just a little bit more - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Lexus470 - November 14 - 10:00 am

  The vehicle is a Lexus. Smooth ride plus. The rear door is trully uncomfortable and there have been several issue with service, that, until this date, with 5 months of experience with the truck, still has not been corrected. It rides like a car but moves like a truck and there have been no off road limitations on hand. It was a newly designed truck, but it looks like they hurried it to the production line. Styling could have been better, but we will take it.

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  New Lexus ES 330 - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Cliff - November 13 - 3:53 pm

  This is a great car for the money, however when accelerating, there is a definite hesitation in the take off. This has been a problem with many cars in the 330 line and Lexus should do something about it. This model could use a more powerful motor. Other then the above, this is a great car for the money.

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  Dont judge an RX by its cover - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By J the Cube - November 12 - 10:00 am

  The car looks and feels great. But I am truly dissapoimted with Lexus. The laundry list of problems has me running from Lexus. From the now twice broken back hatch door shocks, the dried out & cracked front window channels, the needed lubrication of the back windows, the bad idle control valve, the noisy brake pads....and this car only has 31K miles!