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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  Overrated - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By dempsey - December 21 - 2:00 am

  Transmisson shift from reverse to drive is sluggish.Has slow pickup when passing.It looks too much like a camry.

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  he who hesitates is lost - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By paulinpennsylvania - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Car rides nicely. Big problem with hesitation when you get off the gas then on again or come to a stop and try to go immediately thereafter ( 1 to 1 and 1/2 second delay). If you get off the gas under hard acceleration and back on the gas the transmission gets confused. pulls to left slightly. With regards to hesitation, Lexus says the car is "functioning as designed". They have no plans to fix it at all. If you leave your key in ignition and headlights are on, the lights wont shut off automatically if you accidently do not shut your door tightly.(I already gat 1 dead battery for this reason. Im going back to Audi. (They care about their customers).

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  Bland for the Bucks, problems too - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Ira - December 5 - 7:06 pm

  I am so disappointed in this overpriced car. I received a replacement trans at 877 miles and continue to have trans trouble. Navigation cannot be programed while the car is in motion. You cannot dial out (cell phone) via bluetooth while the car is in motion. The bluetooth address book will not receive and store the information from some cell phones. When the car is in motion, voice commands are rarely recognized due to background road noise. I had to pay $300 for the XM module in order to receive XM and the display of track & artist info is cut off. I am truly dissapointed in the car.

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  JUST OKAY - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By CT - December 2 - 3:50 am

  This car is ----JUST OKAY---- This is my first Lexus and probably my last. Lexus simply cannot be compared to BMW, Mercedes, or Infiniti. Lexus simply lacks the technology, built quality, and reliability of the other companies. Oil changes are expensive ($100+) and not to mention the 15000 mile tune up will cost owners ($300+) then again at 30000. Problems: 3 out of the 4 Windows have gone off track, driver door will not auto lock or open (key sensor is broken). And steering wheel leather if falling apart. Transmission is terrible, tooooo much lag when you push the accelerator. If you are looking for a family car for long trips, this is the car for you. MAKE SURE YOU TEST DRIVE FIRST!!

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  Transmission Blues - 2000 Lexus RX 300
  By Fuming - November 21 - 10:00 am

  Up until today I LOVED my Rx. It is just the right size for a woman to handle and still has power and style. But today, I was told that my vehicle needs a new transmission to the tune of $4,000...count em, $4 grand! Of course it is just 5,000 miles out of warranty. Wondering if anyone else has had this same problem. Called an independent transmission shop and they said they see it on this model all the time! Yikes, Im thinking about dumping it for the MDX. At least my Acura and Hondas have always kept running even with 200,000 plus miles wracked up!

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  Stay away - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By Eddie Hairr - November 17 - 9:40 am

  I love Lexus and currently own two. However, the RX has been very unreliable and left us stranded on vacation two summers in a row. I purchased the vehicle with 48K miles and didnt expect any problems; however, that was short lived. Everything from electrical issues to fuel system issues has plagued the vehicle. In the last two years alone, the maintenance costs have exceeded $6K. I know, I must be an idiot for keeping it this long. The longer I try to keep the vehicle to receive a return for the maintenance costs, the more it burns my wallet. Believe it or not, the vehicle is 10 years old, very well maintained and doesnt even have 100K miles yet. The repair costs far exceed the miles driven.

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  SUV made us sick - 2010 Lexus GX 460
  By Sea_sick - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Avoid this truck-based SUV you if can. We tested drove GX470 were very happy with it. Bought this GX460 with regret not testing it on high-way. The dealer didnÂ’t offer any help but a trade-in. The hash ride made us sea sick the first day! It bounces back and forth on local road and shakes on highway. The SUV feels solid same as the seat, they look good but are stiff. Love the NAV and interior color.

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  wheel noise - 2005 Lexus IS 300
  By lkuhl - October 23 - 10:00 am

  It makes a lot of road noise and even though it has been to the dealer they refuse to fix what is a bad wheel bearing or tires that have problems. One tire popped out the tube like a bike tire and it cost $225.00 to replace. Acts liked it was wrecked or something and dealer will not fix it I would not buy another one!

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  Major problems; returned car - 2012 Lexus RX 450h
  By asteinberg - October 12 - 1:34 am

  Integrity of cabin compromised -- unsure if due to post-earthquake radioactive stuff or use of cosmoline. Lexus denies use of cosmoline, but service dept at dealer claimed this toxic substance was used; noxious fumes. Dealership would not test under similar circumstances. My wife and child ill; returned car within month with $5000 penalty. Dealer wanted to help, but Lexus company uncooperative. Lexus left me no alternative -- I shall now consider Federal and state regulatory authorities, litigation. In unlikely case Lexus stands behind product, I will update. But Lexus corporate was bureaucratic. Dealership had changed story many times -- such as - -that noxious fumes would burn off

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  Poor redesign of rear entry/exit - 2017 Lexus RX 350
  By Nathan - September 21 - 3:40 pm

  In an effort to have floating roof line, the designers failed to notice the passenger comfort and safety as they exit the vehicle. Not so much getting in, but one gets out without paying attention to the roof line, you could most certainly get hit at the temple if you dont lean forward as you get out ...... Its disappointing to see this from Lexus, not to mention their interior is cluttered with too many types of cheap materials and finishes, which does not flow well. Gives a very clumsy finish. If not, I would have bought it. I liked the BMW X5 interior, but with all their reliability issues, Ive settled with Porsche Cayenne.