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:

• 

  Bad suspension in 2010 Lexus 350 RX - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By jlotoo - July 16 - 8:47 pm

  After having a 2004 Lexus 330 RX for 7 years, I was thrilled to get a new 2010 350 RX last October. Very quickly I began to realize that the ride and the drive were clearly not the same. The 2010 is the roughest ride ever. I have complained at the dealership and had it checked out and they say everything is as it should be but I continue to bounce and rock sideways over the slightest bumps. Also the cargo pad is worthless. It is thin and has no substance and has wrinkled into a gnarly mess. The dealership says we had to have closed the cargo door on it and that just did not happen. The 2004 was a stronger fabric and much higher quality.

• 

  Something Wicked This Way Comes Redeux - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Marxus0867 - July 16 - 9:30 am

  This is my third Lexus. I have owned a first generation LS and a second generation GS and I am supremely happy with the new car. I bought it used with 14k miles on it and it is awesome. I am a realtor and the navi is a tremendous help, as well as the ventilated seats, back up camera, Mark Levinson audio/ DVD, and the park assist. I am still learning the voice commands and I wish they were more variable. Other than the road noise from the run flats, this car is nearly perfect. I am a Lexus fan for life. Everytime I start searching for a new car, I look at Mercedes and BMW and I always go back to Lexus because of the reliability and resale.

• 

  Amazing Car - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By denman - July 16 - 4:06 am

  After 1000 miles I am enormously impressed by the ride, comfort, acceleration, and hybrid performance. It is a technologic tour de force on the part of Toyota Lexus. The milage is 40% better than the Passat 4 motion that I traded for this vehicle. While high in cost, it may not be so bad if gas stays at 3.30 per gallon for 87 octane. Averaging 27.5 over last 870 miles--a mix of highway, mountain driving, and short city trips.

• 

  Great Expectations - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By doc - July 15 - 6:20 am

  I waited 20 months after researching most all of the major automotive periodicals and was misled. Lexus has delivered a dud. I was told that my fuel cosumption would be in the range of 38 mpg in town and 32 mpg on the hyway. Then about 4 mo.s before delivery they changed 32 in town and 29 on the hyway with an average of 30+. When I returned the vehicle to be examined because of the mileage situation the dealership told me to wait till the vehicle has 10k miles and it should get better. Well at 5k my overall average is a disappointing 24 mpg. Plus a week after purchase the wind screen fractured with out being struck by anything and was not repaired until I threatened legal action. Bad buy!

• 

  RX 400h - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Jennifer Fenster - July 14 - 8:26 pm

  This is a really great car, I would recommend it to everyone, it is comfortable, sporty, fast, (when you need it) quiet, (so quiet I have forgotten to turn the engine off a couple of times). Definitely not a car for anyone who wants to save money on gas, the MPG is not great for a hybrid. I average around 24 MPG with mostly city driving. I bought a hybrid to help save the planet and to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels and I waited for an SUV style hybrid that was big enough to make it practical for my lifestyle. I am very happy with it except for the lousy gas mileage.

• 

  very happy lady - 1997 Lexus LS 400
  By lexusgirl01 - July 12 - 9:12 pm

  ok this is something very diffrent than i have ever have. I love how my car rides I just bought it a day ago I have been reading the reviews and been very pleased with what I have read. Anything i need to know please feel free to share with me, enjoy reading your commets.

• 

  Like my Lexus - 2005 Lexus SC 430
  By OKBBALL! - July 11 - 11:13 am

  I traded in 2001 Corvette convertible, 6 speed. The SC 430 Lexus is more comfortable, quieter, easier to drive, has a much better sound system, the fit and finish is much better and the interior is such better quality there is no comparison. These are comparisons to a 2005 Vette I test drove. The power on the SC 430 however does not compare to the Vette. I am very satisfied with the SC 430.

• 

  My best driving experience ever - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By rbkencar - July 11 - 10:00 am

  Youd feel comfort, luxury and safety once you get on drivers seat. You sense youre surrounded by a solid, protective shield . . and that you are in for a smooth, powerful yet quiet ride. This was how I felt when I test drove the GX 47. (I rated it better compared to similar test drive with MB ML, 320 and 500). But back to my GX 470. The actual driving experience proved even more exhilirating. I have never felt so cool driving 400 miles each way ever. Why? Driving 70-75 mph was a breeze and accelerating to pass those semis was no sweat. The GX 490 is indeed my best driving experience ever.

• 

  Great car but watch out for snow - 2003 Lexus GS 300
  By kmm - July 11 - 10:00 am

  This is the 4th lexus that Ive owned and Ive had this one for over 3 years. Fun and responsive to drive in dry weather, but absolutely terrible in snow or ice. Traction control is useless and somewhat annoying. Interior is beautiful and comfortable, even on long rides. Would be a great car to own if you dont live in a place that gets snow.

• 

  RX350 Quality Declined - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By c2008 - July 10 - 5:16 am

  My almost brand new 2009 RX350 was damaged in an accident so I replaced it with the new 2010 RX350. Because I loved my 2009 RX so much I really did not think any other options and did not pay much attention during a quick test drive of the 2010 model. As soon as I got this new vehicle, I realized that this is not the same RX anymore. The engine is so much more noisy, the transmission is not as smooth as the old model and the ride is simply not as comfortable as the old one. If you have an old RX350, you will know that the new one is not as well built as it used to be. I absolutely regret buying the new model. If you have an old RX350, dont replace it with the new one.