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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  My dream come true! - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By MASalvio - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I love cars, buy one every 2-3 years, and have always wanted a sports car. The Lexus 430 SC is truly the car of my dreams. It handles beautifully (except in the snow), feels comfortable as well as luxurious, and I can put the top down in less than one minute. I tell people Im not buying another car until I cant get in this one any longer. There is nothing bad to say; even the gas mileage is acceptable.

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  Great car for a tall person - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By vinterv - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Tried all the sports cars and for the tall person-this is the car. A lot of thumbs up on the highway. You wont be incognito. Just fun to drive.

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  The best even got better !!! - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By martyoooo - May 17 - 10:00 am

  I drove the first Lexus model RX 300 for 86,000 miles and fell in love with the new design of the RX 330. The car is miles ahead of the RX 300 in features, luxury, and comfort. What started out as a great car got incredibly better. Leave it to the people at Lexus !!

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  Best luxury sedan for the money - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By jeff - May 16 - 4:16 am

  Lexus makes the best luxury sedan hands down. It is both reliable and performance driven... a real head turner. This has to be the most technologically sophisticated car ever built. Lexus left nothing to chance and anticipated every need the driver or passenger could ever want. The handling and performance easily surpases anything BMW or Mercedes currently offers and the service Lexus provides is light years ahead of any car manufacturer out there today. American car companies need to wake up and realize how an automobile should be built or they wont be around in the very near future.

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  LEXUS GX470 - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By JAY - May 15 - 4:36 pm

  Ive had the Suv for a month and a half, and everything is great. Not even one thing to bring back in for, not even one problem. Gas Mileage is no good, but knew that when I purchased it, so not an issue. VERY comfortable vehicle, rides and handles extremely well. Really enjoying owning this. Jay

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  Luxurious with high performance and fuel efficiency! - 2013 Lexus GS 450h
  By cjob1 - May 11 - 9:55 pm

  This vehicle is well worth the wait! Luxurious, sporty, high tech and fuel efficient. The technology is incredible. Within seconds my phone was synced to the bluetooth, all of my contacts were downloaded, and music was playing from my phone wirelessly. I can play Pandora, find an open table, search on Bing, etc. I can call a live person if Im lost and have them map directions for me instantly. Everything works perfectly! The car has power with a smooth ride. Great gas mileage! Matte bamboo definitely complements the interior giving it a classy look. This car definitely far exceeded my expectations!!

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  Solid - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By aph - May 10 - 10:00 am

  Slightly less mid range punch but ride experience same as LS 430 (290 hp)which I had owned.The interior executed perfectly. My wife says this is most beautiful of the 18 cars I have owned. Standart suspension pleasingly taut. Prior to purchase I had heard the steering was not too sporty, I strongly disagree.

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  This car rocks - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By snackin - May 10 - 10:00 am

  We test drove many brands and the Lexus was by far the better fit. From its roomy interior but mid size chasis every convienience was covered. Beautifully lighted cup holders and , auto lights on when dark, auto wipers when rain is detected to its gorgeous style and sport-luxury drive. THIS CAR ROCKS!

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  Love My RX - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By DC of SC - May 10 - 10:00 am

  This is my third RX and the best yet. This car is an absolute joy to drive and I love all the frills. What an automobile!! I am loving my new RX330.

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  Second RX - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By moongig - May 10 - 10:00 am

  The SUV has some new features that upgrade it substantially over our 2000 model which we also loved. The RX 330 has a somewhat smoother ride, an improved turning radius, a throater sounding engine, but still maintains the quiet ride feature that we appreciate. It is slighly larger and has a tight feel in every aspect. It looks smells and feels good. Lexus keeps making excellent automobiles even better. Amaxing! Keep up the excellent quality with which you continue to challenge the rest of the industy.