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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  The IS300 used to be cool... - 2003 Lexus IS 300
  By BenzE320 - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I got my car in late 2002, its now 2003 and every homie g who can scam up $35k is driving one. I am truly sick of every honda teenager wanting to be me with the tail lights and oversized exhaust. I am happy with it overall, but its a bmw or infiniti for my next car, unless lexus grows up.

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  actual mpg - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By danettem - January 26 - 8:26 am

  Ive been driving my RX 400h for six weeks/2200 miles. I am averaging 22 mpg, NOT the 31 mpg Lexus is advertising. The car drives beautifully and has plenty of power, but it is not getting the fuel economy I hoped from a hybrid. If you want to encourage hybrid technology and not sacrifice luxury, its a great car. If youre truly interested in saving gas, this isnt the car for you.

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  Love my Lexi! - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By Michele in CT - January 26 - 12:06 am

  I am truly enjoying my RX400h! I am still in the "learning phase" as there are so many advanced features- its virtually a computer on wheels! I am also learning a different driving style. Regular cars perform best by keeping a steady foot on the gas pedal. The 400h requires you to "flutter" your foot and learn to coast, when possible. By doing this, Ive actually gotten it up to just a little over 28mpg locally! Not bad for an SUV!! One thing that I dont like about it is where the rear tail lights are located. The bumper is made to be impact resistant, yet the light blows out. Ive had to replace it after someone backed into me. Overall, Im delighted with the RX400!

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  2008 Lexus ES 350 - 2008 Lexus ES 350
  By haleigh - January 23 - 9:06 am

  Comparing to my 2004 ES 330 it is a slight improvement. Keyless entry and telescoping wheel are nice additions. Engine/transmission are a slight improvement but engine is louder. Tires are not as good as was on 2004. Lexus has cut some corners hopefully not in area of reliability. Controls for interior lights are much too confusing and dont seem to make much sense. Battery is down graded from 2004. Center console is a joke compared with 2004. Manual shifting (s) mode is ideal for snowy/icy driving. Handling is just o.k. Four wheel drive might be a good feature for the future. Extra cost for an XM radio is rather high and location of special antenna is not good.

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  Talk to People in Ivory Tower - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Audrey Fallowes - January 21 - 4:23 am

  RX 330 is bought by women. Why did they have to make it higher than the 300? Cant hear directional signals when on (safety hazard.) Blind spots on both sides right & left rear. Gas filler hole too high. Map pocket redesigned to be useless. Cant open remote hatchback when car is locked--need 2 hands to silde back trunk cover (has latches). Guidance sys- seeing reverse usless-needs beeper system-300 guid/sys much easer to work. Climate control/blower to powerful at lowest setting/have to look constantly at screen to change settings/remote starter when on-cant unlock car doors.

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  Blind spots - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By NYC Suburb Driver - January 18 - 8:16 am

  I love everything about this car, except the design of the back creates large blind spots when looking back and to the side. This is confounded by the drivers headrest further visually blocking the small windows between the back and sides of the car. This creates pretty thick spots where you cant easily see what is behind you and to the side.

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  Tight & Good - 2001 Lexus IS 300
  By smcfly - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Great driving experience. Feels like youre a pilot locked in for flight - seats, instrumentation, position all put the driver in position to command the car. Intuitive steering and acceleration. Limited slip differential is a must have option.

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  Loaded with value - 2017 Lexus ES 350
  By Melvin Monconduit - January 7 - 12:17 pm

  Its not a hi performance car. Its extremely quiet and smoothness is very good. Technology is too complicated and distracting. The more you use it however, the easier it gets, especially if you can master the speech commands. Its Mark Levinson audio system is fantastic. Quality is evident in exterior paint, interior seating with adequate room for a 62" driver. Still bump my head occasionally on door opening, when exiting or entering drivers seat. I dont care for fake leather. Looks cheap in the cabin. However, it fulfills its entry level luxury car descriptions. I bought a Ultra Luxury package with panoramic roof, with all options offered, which overcame many of its shortcomings. I would not be happy with the ES350 equipped with a base or near base option package. My wife who is the main driver, shares my feelings on the technology, and is getting the hang of it. If youve ever owned a true luxury sedan, the Lexus ES350 is certainly a step down, but makes up for it with value, dependability, low maintenance cost, and low fuel cost.

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  Hot hot hybrid - 2012 Lexus CT 200H
  By carmageddon - January 6 - 5:35 am

  With the F-Sport package this things got kind of an upscale eco-friendly bad attitude look to it. And I love the modern wood and leather free interior; its about time that we start to see some new materials indoors. Powers on the light side, but handling with the sports package is definitely competitive with the Minis and GTIs of the world. But they dont get forty-something miles per gallon on regular now do they?

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  Lexus ES 330 - 2006 Lexus ES 330
  By Rich Hall - December 31 - 7:33 am

  Useless front cup holder, everything falls out and spills. The rear seat cup holder is fine. For tall drivers with long legs, need better/larger front seats, seat bottom from back to knees with more leg room front seats. The car needs to have its horsepower kicked up, as it stands now, its pretty gutless especially when passing. The trunk is so dark at night. Needs a brighter trunk lite or lights and different placement of the lights. It would be great to have more controls on the steering wheem so the driver doesnt have to take his/her hands off the wheel. I know these are petty little things, but its the little things that day in and day out that get to you. Overall, love the car !!!!