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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  millies ride - 2005 Lexus ES 330
  By e caparro - November 25 - 8:46 pm

  This is my first luxury vehicle plus first Toyota product. The car feels like a high quality piece of equipment. The performance is somewhat modest, however it does have a good bit of low-end torque. Handling is only fair, but then again its a luxury car. The cabin is vey quiet. Visibility while inside the car could be better.

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  Luxury SUV? NOT! - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By ManyCars - November 25 - 5:40 am

  Lexus calls this a "Luxury SUV." WRONG. Ive owned many luxury autos and this isnt one of them. I tried to adjust but I just sold it with 2475 miles on the odometer. Cost me money, I hated this car! The reliability and build quality are some of the best but it rode like a cattle truck and the ergonomic design was stupid. Humans were intended to occupy this thing. The worst placement of some controls that Ive ever seen. If you need to access a 12v outlet for a cell charger, etc., do it while stopped because you cant while moving. You have to remove two compartment covers and stand on your head to get to it. My son owns one a bit older and its a great car. The 2010 redesign was a bust.

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  Nicest car - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Matt - November 24 - 7:16 am

  Car is quiet, powerful and luxurious. I am actually getting about 35 mpg on the highway. I look forward to the drive home finally.

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  "Conservative, Reliable Luxury" - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Murphy 2010 - November 22 - 11:46 pm

  I have owned and driven many cars in my life from cheap to expensive and I can honestly say that the 2004 Lexus LS430 that I currently have surpasses them all. The car is big but it handles very well and it is very quiet and luxurious and unlike other expensive cars like BMW and Mercedes the Lexus is very reliable so you are not constantly in the shop getting things repaired. The car also is not bad on gas when you compare it to other V-8s and even some V-6s. I also like the fact that although the car is very luxurious it is not ostentatious(flashy)because I am conservative and do not like a lot of attention. Lastly I had heard that Lexus Customer service was outstanding and it is.

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  RX 400h - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By David - November 22 - 7:10 pm

  I initially got 24 mpg. Now I get 26 mpg (all driving). Excellent for an SUV. Overall, excellent car... excellent power, performance, etc. Great job Lexus.

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  great suv - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By happydaz0 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  i have allways driven a m.b. suv..this lx470 is light years ahead...i enjoy this suv in rain and snow as it holds the road very well...my next sedan will be a lexus...NO MORE M.B...THE CUSTOMER SERVICE IS OUTSTANDING

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  true lexus - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By jcy - November 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a real luxuary SUV. I just traded in my 2003 LX470 for 2004 model (you may wonder why?, cant come out with good reason but I like its new navigation system and rear view camera)

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  A WORK OF ART/ EYE CANDY - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By DAESTERS1 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  ITS GREAT. I PURCHASED A C4 PORSCHE AND IT HAD TIPTRONIC I WANTED TO GET SOMETHING AS CLOSE TO PERFORMANCE,LOOK AND LESS PRICE WITH THE SAME FEATURES. I TRIED THE CORVETTE 04 AND THE SC430 WAS THE CLOSEST TO PERFORMANCE.IT WASNT TAILEND HEAVY SO IF I WANT TO TAKE OFF I CAN DO SO SAFELY.IT WAS PLEASED IT ALSO HAD SPORT PACKAGE, 1/2 THE PRICE, AND NAVIGATION DEVICE.IVE DRIVEN IT 700 MILES AWAY FROM HOME AND THE DRIVE IS SMOOTH..

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  Fun Car - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By alpollack - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Car runs like a dream..tight body..no noises. Good control at low speeds,tight control at high speeds. Such fun.!!Car draws stares with top up or down. 21+mpg...or 18 in town.

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  lx 330 for the wife - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By boofy9 - November 22 - 2:00 am

  Wife had an ls400 and wanted to sit higher and drive a smaller vehicle. cannot beat dealer service and sales experience. rented an fx 35 for two weeks prior to buying the rx330. husband loved the looks and performance of the infinity, but wife liked lexus comfort and cushy ride. rx330 performance adequate for a wife driver.