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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  my sportcross - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By jlim - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Overall great driving experience, handles well with plenty of acceleration when you need it. Quality throughout, with great sport suspension albeit on the firm side. Quite ride on the highways, minimal tire/wind noise, and nice throaty exhaust only during quick 0-60mph gas pedal action.

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  quiet and smoother than most sedans - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By arick - March 18 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a quiet, smooth, comfortable SUV....Ive found it! Im very pleased with the upgraded HP, the vehicle accelerates so smoothly and quietly that ive caught myself driving 15 mph over the speed limit! In my 2000 Jeep GC I could tell how fast I was driving by the sound of the engine and amount of wind/road noise - not now!

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  Best car I have ever owned - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By carol elliott - March 18 - 7:40 am

  Fun to drive. Lexus service outstandibg

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  18 years - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By Fran Prestia - March 17 - 3:06 am

  This was my dream car. I owned her for 18 years with little or no problems. Loved the car, loved the color drove to Florida to upper Wisconsin to North Carolina and everyday driving. she is still great.

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  My toy - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Betty Storm - March 13 - 10:00 am

  After six months ownership, there is not another SUV I would trade my toy for, the performance is good.

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  Big Improvement over ES 330 - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Jim Rooney - March 12 - 12:26 am

  I drive a Mercedes E350 wagon, this is my wifes car but I love taking it for a spin once a week. It gets 30 mpg which is definitely more than my Benz. Also it is slightly quicker with a zero to sixty run of 7.0 sec. Also many options, silky smooth leather, and a very nice console display. Half the price of my Mercedes wagon yet looks just as luxurious. Very hard to believe this car is based off a Camry.

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  I LOVE IT!! - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Michele - March 11 - 9:36 am

  This car is such a pleasure to drive! Granted I bought this after driving a toyota tercel for the past 10 years so anything is better. But its definitely THIS car. Its beautiful (inside and out)& drives well. I have the smokey granite mica exterior with black leather interior (ultra luxury package).

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  Nice Car - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Ken - March 10 - 5:23 pm

  Great car, not a sports car so dont expect it to drive like one, great on the Highway, good on gas and insurance. A step down from my old 430 but much more affordable.

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  Funnest Wagon Ever - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By Bertrand - March 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought my IS300 Sportcross about 10 months ago and have over 15,000 problem free miles. This cars engine gets stronger and stronger as it breaks in at it jumps off the line well. Just did a 14.83 second 1/4 mile at 95.66 mph. 0-60 mph was recorded at 6.54 (compared to the magazine/Lexus number of 7.4). My 0- 60 foot time was 2.257, better than I could manage with my 02 Corvette Z06 on the same night! We also own an 01 IS300 with 46,000 problem free miles. Great car

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  Nothing but fun!!! - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By javi01 - March 10 - 2:00 am

  From day one this car has been nothing but fun. It’s so much fun to drive that I think I’m addicted to taking unnecessary trips to the store. I expected a very good car bearing the Lexus name. I got even more than I expected. The IS fusses luxury, performance and value. Plus the great reliability of the proven 3.0L Lexus engine (Used in the GS300 as well) gives me peace of mind.