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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  2014 ES350 disappointing on the Inside - 2014 Lexus ES 350
  By btiger14 - October 16 - 2:20 pm

  This is our third ES350. Disappointed in what Lexus did to save a few bucks. For example the CD Changer is gone, replaced by single disc; the holder for sunglasses above the console - gone; the various console cubbies for storage - gone; lighting above each rear seat on each side - gone. Ash tray and lighter (plug) gone - lost that plug. Front seats are narrower. The car just feels tighter on the inside. With the lighting changes and the deletion of the CD Changer Lexus has cheapened the interior. The trunk is not as easy to get stuff into because it is a deeper access. Cargo net is installed with bolts - makes it hard to get to the spare. Shd have just bought out the 2011 lease.

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  2011 LS 460 AWD - 2011 Lexus LS 460
  By rl007 - October 14 - 4:55 am

  Previous Mercedes owner....now have 2010 RX 350 and 2010 GX 460 and just got 2011 LS 460 AWD. A soft quiet excellent ride, (but 2010 RX 350 feels more of a drivers car.) Appointments and materials first rate. Excellent fit and finish. Acceleration with V-8 excellent, powerful and controlled.

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  I liked my 1998 Lexus better - 2002 Lexus ES 300
  By al klemm - October 13 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd ES300. I traded in a 1998 model for this car. Power and gas milaege are less than last vehicle. Brakes on car were poor and unsafe. When dealer serviced car he informed us there was a defect. Vehicle was not recalled. Brakes were dangerous, customers are not notified. You find out when you complain about the brakes. I will never buy another Lexus.

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  The ES needs work - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By slarson - October 13 - 10:00 am

  The 02-03 ES300s have a serious problem with the throttle/tranny computer. Ive read reviews saying the ES330 does not correct that problem. Lexus has acknowledged that customers have reported problems with the drive- by-wire system, Im one of those with major problems. Im not sure how they could make a car that does not go when you give it gas, but there are different driving situations where that happens. Most notable is when pulling into traffic out of a parking lot. If not starting from a dead stop, the computer causes a serious lag and does not kick the engine in for a second or two. Ill never buy a Lexus again if Lexus does not fix this

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  Frustrated by Lexus - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By Ray Wiese - October 9 - 12:03 pm

  Ive been wholeheartedly disappointed with the ownership experience. Dealer "acknowledges my problems" but states "Lexus has no technical fix". Problems are transmission surging when accelerating from a near stop (say, 5 mph) following speed humps or in stop/start traffic - caused by computer controlled throttle and wind noise from drivers mirror. Also, dash & door rattles that come and go depending upon outside temperature. From a brand ranked by many as being of high customer satisfactory rating, I personally have been wholeheartedly disappointed with the ownership experience. I truly want to love this care but remain frustrated with Lexus and Toyota. Expected more for the money.

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  Not that great! - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By AT - October 8 - 4:10 pm

  The issues with my car: the rear door wouldnt open with the remote, the roof rack wouldnt move back and forth, the leather under the head rest was torn, the wiper mist was not working. They dont charge me for fixing these issues. But my understanding is that some of these issues are not supposed to be issues because they are supposed to get inspected before they certify it. So I guess you can not really believe the Lexus certification process. Also the rear door issue seems to be a recurring issue. It still wouldnt open some times after 3 attempts to fix this.

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  Smooth Blue - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus4Her - October 7 - 2:00 am

  I found this car to be as smooth a ride as it is smooth looking. The engine is buttery to say the least. The dealer gave us new brakes when we bought it, with the 100K warranty. Sotps great, goes fast in ECT Power. Nice Cruise Control. More Bass in the Sound System would be nice. Sub woofer possibly? Seats are comfy with Leather, just wish they were heated. I wonder if anyone has had a situation where the chrome wheels leaked are due to rust? My dealer says this is a known Lexus problem of that year???

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  Love/Hate - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By tuomala1 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  Overall I really like this car but it developed an annoying clunking noise on downshifts after about 5,000 miles. Lexus says this is normal for this car. If this type of problem would bother you, ask the dealer about it before you buy. If they dont acknowledge knowing anything about it, think twice or you may regret it later.

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  Consider RX 350 before purchase - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Mark Stern - September 30 - 3:23 am

  I got a RX 400h for the performance - at the time the 330 had 45 less HP, now with the 350 it has 2 Hp more. Dont think youre saving the planet with this car, it gets slightly better gas milage. BUT there are trade offs. For one the engine noise is so un-Lexus like, two, the transmission and brakes are different from normal cars. I WOULD HIGHLY SUGGEST- drive both 400h and 350 back to back, then if youre not convinced the 400 is still 5 Grand more. For 2007 350 has new NAV system and XM radio, bluetooth phone also avlb with out nav. I made a mistake and am thinking of trading in.

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  Wife loves it, but I think its over rated.... - 2013 Lexus ES 300h
  By chad_shephard - September 28 - 8:12 am

  first, want to thank all the reviews. My wife has waited for the updated ES350h for a while now. Overall, a good car, but I dont think the value is there. Hopefully with the yen dropping so much lately, the future buyer will reap the benefit. We wanted base model but went with premium pkg. Very difficult to get with with base model. On quick note: We have 2 major dealers in Atlanta area. The dealers were very cocky. Not very customer focus.