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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  Very happy I bought the 2015 RX - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By JPV - May 2 - 11:18 am

  First, the car is ugly, I was hoping it would grow on me but I just hate it. Rear looks a little like an angry Asian man and the front looks like an old man with a bad fu man chu. If that isnt bad enough the side looks like a transformer. My 2015 is refined, quiet and has great classic lines. The 16 is, in my opinion lost between wanting to be a sports car and a station wagon. The rake on the rear window makes the cargo space way too small and difficult to see out of and the floating roof line is nissanesque. I have been a Lexus guy for about 10 years and a Toyota guy since 1995. Lexus/Toyota needs to fire their designers because the cars are just ugly. I was waiting for the new Camry to upgrade my old one and just cant do it, the design is terrible. Is that why there is a perpetual 0% interest rate on it?

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  Bad HID - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By R. Lefleur - May 2 - 10:50 am

  I find the HIDs very bad in hilly driving. I constantly have to put on the high beams to illuminate the road properly. They are nice and bright but set too low. I find no fault with the transmission. In town mileage is poor... avg 16- 17/mpg. Highway is about 22mpg. Dealer service is excellent, build quality excellent. Had a chance to use the AWD this past weekend in snow and ice... very good!

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  Outstanding Small Touring - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By danrhiggins - May 1 - 11:13 pm

  Intelligence, style, comfort. Makes me want to go on a road trip! Plenty of power. Not as tight or flat in turns as BMX X5 or Acura MDX but more than enough when very good hanlding when driving no more than 20% over the speed limit and for accident avoidance. FAR more comfortable and drivable for long trips, especially when you consider that more than 95% of our driving is straight ahead. Roomy, 4-adjustable steering column and 8-way adjustable drivers seat. Very comfortable rear seat. Sensible instrumentation.

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  NICE RIDE - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By GINA - May 1 - 5:06 am

  I love to drive my new lexus. I visit my local gas station about every three weeks. getting lost on the streets of long island is no longer possible. I love the bluetooth tech. My lexus drives like a dream, this is my first lexus.I like to get a new car every two years and will never buy any other make then lexus again..

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  ANNOYING TRANSMISSION HESITATION - 2004 Lexus IS 300
  By e. marks - April 30 - 10:00 am

  The handling is extremely capable for sporty driving and the brakes are unrivaled. The power is adequate and smooth, though it tends to lug a little at lower RPMs. The E-shift allows only limited control over shifting (gears 2-5) and far too often down- shifts on its own. A HESITATION PROBLEM occurs in many IS300s as a result of the vehicles ICU (onboard computer) malfuntioning -- a major issue considering it is not detectable during the intial test drive, gets progressively worse, and according to Lexus, is not correctable.

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  Cant go wrong with a Lexus. - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By Chinese Guy - April 30 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my IS300 used with 22K miles, about 6 months ago and so far Ive havent had any problems with it. I used to drive a Honda Prelude with massive modifications so the IS cannot compare to that car. Off the line the IS is slooooow but the V6 will catch up to any other car. I really wish it had a center arm rest, that would help alot. Also bigger cup holders. Forget about getting Big Gulps from 7- 11. I considered a BMW 3 series but read awful ratings about it. Im glad I chose the IS300 over the 3-series. Fin!

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  LS430 w/Sport Suspension - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By incognito - April 30 - 10:00 am

  Very few people are aware how well this sporty model compares to BMWs & M-Benz. Handling & roadholding are superb. 18" tires stay glued to the road, regardless of undulations & nothing fazes it, inspiring enormous confidence. Unlike the std. models extra-plush ride, you know exactly what the road surface is like under you. Feedback is firm, but not harsh, making the driving experience very Lexus-like. However, you must enjoy sporty handling; if pure luxury is your thing, you probably shouldnt order this suspension. But if you want a great car that is also great fun to drive, this one is for you. Given 500hp, this would be the Best of the Best!

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  Lexus es 350 - Great car - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Glocktown - April 29 - 3:30 am

  The car is awesome. I will always buy lexus. Super smooth on the road, fast acceleration when you punch the pedal and the car looks great. My vehicle has the basic leather luxury package. Only complaints are the dim headlights or angles, and the stock radio stinks! For the price of the car, Lexus should give you a premium sound system, but that would be another 4k, no thanks.

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  Best car I ever owned - 1999 Lexus ES 300
  By John H - April 28 - 5:43 am

  This car cannot be beat! Has 148,000 miles without one mechanical problem. Did not have to replace fw brakes for 120,000 miles, like wise front struts--rw brakes and struts still good. I took a test drive in a 08 ES350, but decided there was no good reason to trade.

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  Compliments my Porsche 911 - 2013 Lexus RX 350
  By Bob Heilweck - April 27 - 7:40 pm

  I just bought a 2013 Certified RX 350 F sport with 18,000 mi. and think its a great car. I have always driven manual shift cars and this car is a nice luxury experience. I am in my early 70s and plan on this being my last car, which is why I bought a Lexus and not a German car. As far as the reviews, I dont quite understand. I have owned an early Porsche 911 for almost 25 years. This car is certainly not a Porsche, it was never intended to be. But I can hold my own on an autocross course, and I have driven this car on some curvy, decreasing radii turns requiring heavy braking, power on acceleration out of turns and weight transfer. I think this is a great car for what it is in the handling dept. Having driven Hondas for most of my life, if the quality is up to that standard (and I am sure that it is) I will be very happy.