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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  What a great car!!!! - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By bigswol34 - January 8 - 2:16 am

  I truly love my car! Not only is it great on gas, but on a long stretch of road, this car is SUPER quiet! I cant even imagine me trading it in. Im going to drive it until it dies on me! I will always and forever be a Lexus fanatic!

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  ES 350 - The best in its class!!! - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Leo - January 7 - 11:26 pm

  I have owned my ES 350 for more than 3 months now and so far Im very happy/satisfied. Before getting my ES 350, I have researched for more than a month on which is going to be my next vehicle. I test drove other competitors but the ES 350 is simply the best car of all Ive tested. Pricewise it was also better than the others. Theres plenty of room inside, interior is nice, rides smoothly either in city or highway driving and very responsive steering. I average 24 mpg in both city and highway driving. I currently own and have owned other Toyotas/Japanese vehicles before and they have lasted very long without any problems. Great car! I would truly recommend it!

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  Love this car! - 2010 Lexus RX 450h
  By miss_mija - January 7 - 2:23 pm

  Overall great car. We were looking for a luxury family car with a quiet cabin and this vehicle suits our needs. The ride in this car if very comfortable and the cabin is quiet. Its a smaller SUV which suits me and my family fine. I only have one small child and found it easier and more practical to install the car seat behind the passenger side. Putting a car seat in the middle limits the space for another passenger. Also love that the vehicle if relatively low maintenance.

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  Suburban Dads Performance Car - 2009 Lexus ES 350
  By DC Lobbyist - January 5 - 3:00 pm

  The 272 hp, 3.5 V6 liter engine rockets the Lexus ES 350 from zero to 60 in 6.8 seconds, better than the 2009 Mercedes Benz C300 Sport’s 228 hp 3.0 liter V6 (7.1 secs.) or the 2009 BMW 328i automatic’s 230 hp 3.0-liter V6 (6.9 secs.) With 95.4 cu ft. of interior space and 14.7 cu. ft. of cargo space, the Lexus has considerably more room for car seats, strollers, etc. than either the BMW (93 cu. ft. int./ 12 cu. ft. cargo) or the Mercedes (88.2 cu. ft. int./ 12.4 cu. ft. cargo). And its packed with options that would make Q jealous (voice activated GPS, back up camera, air conditioned seats). It cradles you after the daycare drop off and can waste most of the other cars on the road.

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  Eeeeeeexxxxxxxcellant - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By mastrbildr88 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  a 10...period....everything about this vehicle is awsome. Worth every penny. buy it macked out with the Levison and DVD

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  Lexus SC 400 Convertible - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By TrawickR - January 5 - 10:00 am

  Plenty of room for 2 passengers. Very limited luggage space. Firmest ride of any vehicle Ive ever owned. Comfortable driver seat. Not as quiet or as smooth as my Lexus LS 430. Easier entrance than most sports cars. "Run flat" tires over $300 each run about 1500 miles. No spare tire.

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  Performance Package Flint Mica - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By tommy429 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  The air suspension and auto-stick are great fun to use. The automatic back door is definately a plus.

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  9.9 or better - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By conn34009 - January 5 - 10:00 am

  Best SUV on the market. Nothing comes close, I know I test drove them all, and I do mean ALL.

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  Lexus Rocks - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By krazykanuck - January 5 - 9:33 am

  I love this car! I have my permit and Ill get this car when I get my license. I love it! It has very responsive steering, great acceleration, good looks, and such a great stereo! Have I said I love this car?

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  WHATS A CAR WITHOUT SERVICE? - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By Kim B - January 4 - 10:23 pm

  Bought 470 May 04.By end of May went on first road trip and discovered door leaked and created an obnoxious squealing sound while traveling at high speed.Lexus dealership tried to fix twice then gave up and sent us to LEXUS USA.We have not gotten any support from them at all.They havent addressed the problem. Its unbelievable how badly they have treated us. Our door still screams when we travel which is every other week. They have our 70K they win.Please dont buy Lexus.