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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  Awesome vehicle - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By hybrid - June 22 - 4:13 pm

  Smooth, soft, powerful. You will never hear or feel the transmission change gears. We have been getting great city mileage.

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  Love it - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By imspud - June 21 - 10:00 am

  great car, handles like a go-kart

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  Happy Ride - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By middle income - June 21 - 7:20 am

  Very good handling and stopping. Enough guts to get out of the way. Not a sports car, but that isnt the intent.

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  No front end - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By Howard - June 20 - 10:06 pm

  The front end is non existent and you will end up replacing $400 every time you hit a pot hole. It is beautiful, great acceleration, but the tires and wheel covers will be replaced numerous times. The tires which never go flat get lousy overall mileage. It costs over $400 just to put snow tires on in the winter. That is without buying them at $400 a pop. So if you have thousands to waste because the front end was made for a show room this is a great car.

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  Luxurious but Dissapointing - 2015 Lexus RX 350
  By Cynthia - June 20 - 1:48 pm

  I had a RX 300 and then a RX 350, 2009, both of which I loved. They drove like a car and felt like a car, but had the extra room of an SUV. A true crossover car. However, this car is bigger and feels like youre driving a boat. It drives like a large SUV, which I did not want. I cant even see over the hood very well and the seats are up as far as they can go, so now, I have an extra seat cushion. So much for the heated and air conditioned seats. The 2009 was much more comfortable. I really miss the arm rest in the 2009. I make a shake in the morning and now, the cup holders are even smaller!!! I know this is a little thing, but it only holds a water bottle, not my shaker bottle! Why? Why, Lexus, would you make this change? Very inconvenient. The navigation is really slow and painful to use, and does not respond well to voice activation. I also miss the 6 CD changer. The mouse pad is difficult to use, especially when you are driving. Also, there are no guide lines with the back up camera. My husbands new Jeep Cherokee has them, but the Lexus doesnt??? Bottom line, it feels like a full size SUV and the 2016s are even bigger. I wont buy another one of these. They had a wonderful car with the RX 300. I wish I had another one. Lexus pretty much ruined the RX 350 now. Its a shame. And the new 2016s are pretty ugly with that front end grill they have. It doesnt even look safe. Lexus, what are you thinking????

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  The tie was perfect. - 2017 Lexus ES 350
  By James Doherty - June 20 - 3:46 am

  look around, take your time. shop at edmounds

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  2012 ES 350 is a solid value - 2012 Lexus ES 350
  By jimses350 - June 18 - 9:57 pm

  I have 3,000 miles on my 2012 ES which replaced an 02 GS 300 with 236k miles on it which replaced a 95 ES 300 with 170k on it. These cars last! the current car is pretty and quick and quiet, but offers no drama. It does everything well but the handling reminds me of my dads Buicks-well, that may be an exaggeration, but not by much. Apart from that, the 3.5 v6 is plenty quick and the fit and finish are very fine. The std audio system with blue tooth and navi are very functional. You can easily understand them. Seating is good for long hauls-i did 1,600 miles in a week and no problems. I like it but on a country road with twisties, I miss my GS. and that new GS just knocks me out but its $$$,

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  Solid Car - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By M Simon - June 18 - 11:16 am

  Smooth ride. Excellent highway performance. Good gas mileage. Roomy interior. Nice interior design. Large trunk. Solid vehicle. Reasonable maintenance costs.

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  IS300 Battle of power - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By is300driver - June 18 - 10:00 am

  Great, fun, exiting, beautiful, love it... i have owen these car for 2 years now and 42,000 miles WOW i drive a lot! she has good power, she realy needs MORE about 60-80 horse more to take on the most recent "japanese imports" add intake and she BRUUUMMMSS like a kitty, Suspention wise stiffer sway bars and bingo! TRD or Hotch are good choises, Brakes are AWSOME, interior is well apointed less plastic please ecsaine is gorgeus, the dulops are hard to get and $$$ Bad Parts: iterior ligth blew up, CD player(it ate my CDS!)free under warranty recently shes transmition upset? shifting so hard it hurts

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  Luxury Toy! - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By storres - June 18 - 10:00 am

  The drive is smooth and comfortable. Fun to drive!