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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  Excellent luxury hybrid! - 2014 Lexus ES 300h
  By oreoelsa - June 6 - 6:53 pm

  We just bought this car in late January, so we haven’t put in as many miles as some other folks. Having said that, I have a daily commute averaging 100 miles, so I think I am qualified to write a review on this car by now :) To put it simply, if your objective is to purchase a nice, luxurious family car that is beautiful inside and out and gives excellent gas mileage, then you simply just can’t go wrong with this car. For context, we purchased the Ultra Premium Luxury package with the Mark Levinson audio system. While this car may not be the fastest luxury car out there (spend another $50,000 in change and get a Tesla Model S then), it is a phenomenal grand touring car, no question.

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  2013 GS450h - 2013 Lexus GS 450h
  By sdgolwn - June 5 - 8:38 pm

  Purchased via Lexus December to Remember event for $15K off sticker, so made purchase much easier. Black with flaxen seats and lux package for $60K--Because of valuation, was considering 2014 ES300h with Ultra, but this price made the GS450h more palatable. Beautiful car. Great drive. Traded Infiniti FX35 (2009). Liked car, but dealer experience was like I bought a Nissan. I drive less than 8K miles per year, so tired of refueling SUV at almost $90.00 per tank.

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  Performance, Comfort and Reliability - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By Jose R. Nevarez - June 4 - 12:30 am

  So far this vehicle has given us great service with no mechanical problems at all. Its quite comfortable, great for long family trips, excellent power and lots of features. Services at the dealer were a rip-off though. Trying to push services like changing wipers that were perfectly fine with the oil change. If you didnt take those services, they gave you a little attitude. I was able to find a certified mechanic that specializes in Acura and Lexus that was able to service it for about 1/2 the price of what the dealer charges by concentrating on things that really need servicing. I guess he doesnt have the overhead of the dealer.

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  Lexus Hybrid Gas Economy Fails Badly - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Richard B. - June 3 - 10:43 pm

  I waited patiently almost 11 months to get my new Lexus RX400h hybrid SUV, knowing that the new vehicle would live up to its hybrid hype. After all, this is Lexus, and as a previous owner of several of their products, I fully expected that not only would I be driving a technological car-of-the- future, it would be comfortable, luxurious, attractive and environmentally friendly. The increased fuel economy of hybrid technology would be an added bonus. I had gotten 20 mpg with my RX300, so the expected 29+ mpg of the 400h was going to be cool. Woops, something went wrong along the way. My hybrid only gets 21 mpg. Not 25, not 30, not even close. More $$, less mpg. Whats wrong with this picture?

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  Change the runflats - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By Jack Cunningham - June 2 - 1:13 pm

  Recently purchased a 2003 SC with 13k miles and have driven it 4k in 6 weeks. Initial impressions, this is the best car Ive ever owned and fun to drive. Only complaint I had was the runflat tires that came with the car. The runflats were noisy and rode very rough. Changed to Pirelli PZero Neros and WHAT A DIFFERENCE.. Quiet and smooth, like a different car. Opted for no spare and purchased a small tire pump and repair kit for $20.

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  The LX 570 is a TANK wearing velvet gloves - 2015 Lexus LX 570
  By R. C. Miller - June 2 - 2:30 am

  When my mechanic and I went to change the oil for the first time, a normal 40 minute oil change became over an hour and 45 minutes with the required removal of 19 bolts of 3 different sizes and 4 underside skid/aero panels. So regular mechanics bills for day-to-day stuff will be expensive. But this machine is screwed together better than the best GMC Suburbans (Ive owned 2) and Cadillacs (Ive owned 6) out there and it is a really fine car. And if you can afford the purchase price, you can afford the mediocre gas mileage. If I have to be in a car during a severe crash, this is the car to be in. Strongly recommend this machine. (After over one and a half years of ownership and about 31,000 miles, i am still convinced that this LEXUS, the LX 570 and my 2 previous Lexus sedans -- a 2012 LS 460 all wheel drive and a 2006 LS 430 -- are the best built cars I have ever purchased. I have purchased over 20 NEW cars in my short happy life and at least 10 used cars, to include antiques, and these big Lexus V-8s are quality cars that drive and perform superbly. OF NOTE, my 16 MPG gas mileage has IMPROVED now that the engine is fully worn in and we often get 18-19 MPG at speeds of 70+ mph).

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  Love my Lexus - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Dan J. - June 2 - 12:56 am

  Great car, however hunts for gears while crusing at 80mph plus up and down hilly terrain. Nothing a supercharger wouldnt fix! I hope TRD is reading this.

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  A worthwhile and enjoyable experience - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Professor - June 1 - 10:33 pm

  I purchased my LS 430 as a certified used Lexus and it had 17280 miles at the time of purchase. I am more than pleased with every aspect of the automobile. It is serene and powerful, yet it gets a respectable MPG considering its size and weight. It is exceptionally comfortable and a pleasure to drive.

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  great vehicle - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By n8webb - May 31 - 7:17 pm

  bought this used, and we couldnt have been more lucky with a vehicle. great on gas, safe, quiet, dependable.

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  If this one dies Ill buy another. - 2011 Lexus CT 200H
  By Reverend E - May 31 - 6:53 pm

  I drive between SF Bay Area and San Diego frequently. I average 43-44 mpg, the ride is comfortable and I am 63" 250 lbs. I do the drive with one stop for gas and a bite to eat. When I get to my destination Im actually able to get out and stretch and get on with what Im doing. My other vehicles I feel like Im climbing off of the rack. My CT is very quiet and comfortable for a small hatchback. The ONLY time I hear my engine winding up is when Im going over the grapevine with a car that has three and luggage or me and my rather heavy tools. Is the car fast? No but that doesnt matter to me, speed limit is 70 on the 5. Does it handle? Yes it does. Clover leafs, mountain roads it feels like my little CT is on rails. Reliable? You bet. I never get in my car and wonder, "is it going to start this time?". Drove across lower Canada without a care. Fill up, go. My wife loved my CT so much she ditched her Mercedes 350CLK and got one herself. Fuel costs and maintenance costs were killing her, she just had to promise we wouldnt be wearing matching track suits next. If your on the fence dont be, go buy your CT.