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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  Great Crossover SUV - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Joea134 - January 21 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased this car and i love it! It is very comfortable and have many luxury features. A feature that especially impresses me is the automatic opening trunk. Its great! Also the inside of my lexus is very nice and the seats are very supportive. It is a great car and I have not found any flaws in it!

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  GX470 - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By yp213 - January 21 - 2:00 am

  It is an excellent car. Even though it is a big truck, it can pick up the speed quickly and quietly. It is so confortable that some times you just dont want the trip ended. This car has a roomy inter space. The convenience package for the GX470 is another perfect addition to the buyer (You have to pay extra $ to get it on M- class). The only thing bothered me was that I could not get a penny discount on the window price.

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  Very Satisfied....Great Car - 2010 Lexus ES 350
  By Bill - January 20 - 7:23 pm

  This is our first Lexus. Very impressed with the ride (very comfortable). If you are looking for a plush ride, this car is probably the best in its class (especially for the $). Looked at the CTS, MKZ, G37...which were all nice, however, was sold on the smooth ride and space (we have two kids...plenty of space for the 4 of us). 3.5L at 280+ HP is more than enough power without sacrificing gas mileage. Love the 2010 changes too (rims, chrome rocker trim, side mirror directionals).Classy car in and out. The Navigation is worth the extra $. Much more convenient with the voice activated commands and Blue Tooth (phone). Best Leather interior we have seen (very soft and plush).Love driving this car!

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  Solid Luxury - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By E. R. Kirsch - January 19 - 11:26 am

  Comfortable car, well designed interior, excellent features, solid construction. All needed features.Well finished on outside. Comprehensive user guide.

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  Too firm, too hard, UGH! - 2014 Lexus ES 350
  By patcic - January 19 - 7:43 am

  When I took this model for a test drive, all of the roads around the dealership were smooth asphalt and of course, the car road fine - big mistake. I negotiated a great deal on a close out, brand new 2014. I quickly became very disappointed with the comfort and ride of this car. You would think a Lexus would be the pinnacle of comfort but not this car. They did a model change in 2013 and made the car "sporty". Now you feel every bump & crack and hear a lot of tire noise on the highway. I feel fatigued after driving it. If you want a taught, sporty car where you "feel" the road then this might be the car for you. I switched to 2015 Impala 1LZ and am in heaven! What comfort!

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  Happy owner - 2017 Lexus ES 350
  By Dennis Jones - January 17 - 9:34 pm

  Love the car. Its our 2nd Lexus (1st was 2004 ES 330 had absolutely no problems with car). It may not be exciting to drive or sporty but you cant beat it for comfort and reliability. I love all the options available like the glass top, blind spot warning, auto cruise control, etc.

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  GX 470: great unless you hold the wheel - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By Lee Seidler - January 16 - 10:00 am

  The GX 470 is easily the best driving, best handling SUV we have owned. However, there is a vibration in the steering wheel (even noted in the NY Times of 7/6/03. Also loud wind noise drowns out classical music at 60MPH. Interior is great, GPS finds places you could never drive to yourself.

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  Best Value in a Luxury Car Ever! - 1998 Lexus LS 400
  By NAMUSMC - January 16 - 10:00 am

  This is the best luxo cruiser on the planet for the money. Having also owned MBs and BMWs over the years, this car is unmatched in comfort and reliability.

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  A True Match for BMWs - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By pd - January 16 - 10:00 am

  The IS 300 gives top value for overall design and assembly quality and the resultant reliability. Engine performance is highly responsive throughout the RPM range, with instant response and smooth delivery. Handling is precise and balanced (neutral with oversteer at the outer edge). Braking is excellent. The car never feels pressured; it delivers a blend of perfectly synchronized responses. Better overall than two 3-series BMWs that I test drove which were simply too hard-edged.

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  Used RX 300 - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By ibk - January 16 - 10:00 am

  The best car Ive ever had. The only way I could afford one was used, but it has been very dependable.