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 best - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By lexusguy - September 9 - 2:00 am

  traded a jag conv for this ...best thing I ever did

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  What fun it is! - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By JnglRed - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Great engine, beautiful interior. Unlike the exotics, also dependable, and when you put that top down. Well, you have to drive it to believe it. Great navagation system, and the sound system cant be beat.

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  Love This Car - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By jlauch - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Get rid of the run flat tires. They are horrible!

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  Lexus continues greatness - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By gtaber - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Truly the finest car on the raod today for under $100000

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  Driving Excellence - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By MichaelCap - September 9 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle absolutely outpreforms my last S Class Mercedes. Unbelievable, Simply a superior class car. Way above and hands down the LS 430 is a flat superior automobile to the Mercedes S500

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  Best Car I Have Ever Owned - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By gatto01 - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The car drives like no other Ive owned. Very smooth & exceptionly quiet.MPG isnt bad, considering the 4.3 liter engine. The pick up is fine, the turning radius for a car this size is exceptional.Overall this car has to be rated one of the top cars in its catagory. The Lexus service is also a big plus.

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  Best Of GX470 - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By National - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The quality of the Lexus GX470 is outstanding, both inside and outside. The power train is extremely smooths and everything works and feels as though it was totally thought out.

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  My Lexus - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By Ron Myers - September 9 - 2:00 am

  The es 330 has lots of power,and is a real pleasure to drive. It is very well built,and has the real feel of luxery.

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  RX330 Fan - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By pmonson - September 9 - 2:00 am

  Best luxury SUV in class. Styling is very pleasing to the eye. Too many wonderful features to list. Compared to MDX, FX35 and XC90, RX330 wins hands down. Lexus dealership experience much superior to Acura, Infinity and Volvo. Build quality is supurb.

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  Great Car - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By Andy07030 - September 8 - 9:56 pm

  I had stuggled between the Acura RL and the Lexus GS. I have had the car for about 3 weeks and I really love it. The ride in the GS is very smooth and quite peppy. Simply put, the GS is classy. So if you are looking for a refined car that is great on gas and has a nice ride this is it. I leased my car and in 3 years who knows what will be out there.