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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  :) - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By Ka sherman - July 22 - 12:54 pm

  love the car

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  All around outstanding mid size SUV - 2013 Lexus RX 450h
  By sgull - July 22 - 8:44 am

  Had a Highlander, drove that and the rx350 and Rx450, the rx 450 beat the others. Its extremely quiet, powerful, luxurious, outstanding build quality and we think very nice looking. It takes getting used to a hybrid in day to day driving, as it doesnt jump off the line unless you want it to. Its almost a game seeing how good of mileage you can get. We are getting at least 28 mph in city driving. We intend to keep this vehicle at least 8 years, and gas is not going to get cheaper so it will pay for us in the long run. The ride on the 450 is smoother than the 350 due to the extra weight of the batteries. We have had zero problems or defects in the 7k plus miles we have driven.

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  GREAT CAR - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By REDFOX - July 21 - 2:00 am

  GREAT CAR!!!!NO COMPARISON WITH ACURA,OR BMW 5 SERIES

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  Is300 - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By Big Blur - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my IS300 for about a year. There seems to be a problem with steering the car on wet roads and uneven surfices. In fact at times Im even afraid t drive it. Also you cn smell the exhust of the car in front of you while waiting at lights.I dont recommend th car to new drivers. Good luck

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  Good choice on my first luxury car - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Kevinmlexus - July 20 - 1:56 am

  Shopped the major brands, but the RX350 came up on top on everything. Love the center console control system for NAV, audio, etc. My right arm sits comfortably without the need for armrest. Very quiet and comfortable ride to the point where I dont feel Im going as fast as I am. Love the fact that power is buried in the center console: I just want to set up everything, hide it in the box and then hit the road. Adaptive headlights are very cool, especially noticeable on my first ride on a narrow, winding country road at night.

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  GS300 06 - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By drmike - July 19 - 10:30 am

  Great mileage, best so far on long trip was 32. Power from V6 as good as my 02 S-type Jag w V8. Love the opera lights/white LEDs. Very smooth to drive. Lots of electronic toys NAV/XM radio/etc

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  Lexus LX470 - 2005 Lexus LX 470
  By jayewe - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I write with 3000 miles and 3 months of use-experience, both in town and highway. It handles well, parks easily, has all the power I could want, and is easy to get in and out of, comfortable, and quiet. Ive had zero problems. Its a bit boxy in exterior style. My other car is a 2004 Prius, at the other extreme of fuel efficiency, so I average about 30 mpg between the two -- (15 + 45)/2. A hybrid LX wont repeal the laws of physics, but recapturing some of the LXs kinetic energy could improve the numbers somewhat.

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  I love him!!!!! - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By COONIES MOM - July 19 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CAR! SO MUCH FUN! LOVE THE HEATED SEATS! NO PROBLEMS WHAT SO EVER! IM IN LOVE!!!

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  Comfort, Class, Quality & Service - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Robin3615 - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I have the premium luxury equipment package. The service is excellent. The ride is second to none. The quality is superior. I had an ES300 years ago and traded it at 100K miles. Since then, I drove a 2000 Volvo and 2003 Jag S type 4.2 . I still have the volvo which my younger brother drives. I put more miles on the X type loaner cars than on the Jag I owned. More than a dozen repairs in 2 years. Service is getting more like Ford. I traded it in 20K before the warranty expired.

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  love it - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By pplott - July 19 - 10:00 am

  I will never drive anything else!