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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  225,00miles & still our most reliable - 1999 Lexus LX 470
  By sara - November 16 - 10:00 am

  We bought this car over 11 years ago and it is still our most reliable vehicle. no one can believe it is as old as it is! no rattles-has never broken down! ever! drives like our 2007 Lexus sedan. we will NEVER get rid of this vehicle!

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  Poor fuel economy - 2010 Lexus RX 450h
  By Richard - November 16 - 10:00 am

  I have had this 2010 Lexus RX450H for about 3 months. One thing disappointments me is the actual mileage I am getting. I use it for commute from home to work in San Francisco. So far the total mileage is 880. I have been getting 21 MPG in city and 23 MPG in the city. My combined average MPG is 21.9 MPG. The advertised fuel efficiency is 28 MPG on highway and 32 MPG in the city. Not sure it is just my car or it is the city that has lots of hill and traffic signal. My round trip from home to work is 12 miles. One reason we want to switch from our 2001 BMW330CI (which runs 14 MPG) to this car is hoping to save gas. I have not bring this car to long trip yet, will test that out later.

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  Great Car - 2000 Lexus GS 300
  By R. H. Jackson - November 13 - 3:20 pm

  I purchased this car new and have been very pleased. The Homelink malfunctioned during the warranty period and was replaced. The only other problem was the radio display which was replaced recently when the car was nine years old. The car runs and drives like new. It is by far the best car I have ever owned.

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  reliable, though unspectacular - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By wanda - November 9 - 5:23 am

  car hasn`t given us any problems yet.picks up speed and handles well. takes too long to warm up, noisy, stereo is no good

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  Lexus love hate - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By mshah - November 9 - 2:46 am

  hi, i got the lexus rx 350 dec 09. It has the looks, design, tech. Speed that makes it outstanding. Lot of space. Love the mouse navigation controller. Seats are good, heating works but does not cool as per my liking steering is ok compared to BMW. Speed is ok but needs more time to ramp up. One issues I have is I am having a pain in the right leg after driving the vehicle for few hours and I get this every day. It starts at the bottom of the right leg in my toes and has become unbearable. I think it is due to the small space in the gas pedal are and it is uncomfortable. I never had this driving any other vehicle. Something is not right. Hate this pain, otherwise the car works great.

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  This Isnt A Sports Car...Its A Sporty Car with Great Mileage and Comfort - 2011 Lexus CT 200H
  By bondguy1 - November 2 - 11:23 am

  This car is different from most. It is a Lexus so the comfort is great inside as are the appointments. However, it isnt that cushy ride you get in a Lexus ES or LS....you DO feel the road more. The car is scary quiet. The seating position for the driver is excellent. I never feel like Im in a small car as the seat is very adjustable. Rear seat room, however, is what it is...good for three kids or maybe two adults. Cargo space in the rear is a little tight as well. Trips to Home Depot will be different than if you were in an SUV (but hey, you couldnt get nearly 50 MPG in an SUV either). The mileage is GREAT..better than what Lexus quotes.

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  A true Luxury Auto - 2004 Lexus LX 470
  By Caywood - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I looked and drove every SUV that was for sale. The LX470 was and is by far the top performance, easy to handle, comfortable,and beautiful auto I have ever owned. I was always a Mercedes person until I bought my Lexus. Wow what an Auto! If you have not Driven a Lexus you are missing an outstanding Car.

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  Transmission - 2004 Lexus ES 330
  By bill arndt - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Very nice car except for transmission shifting characteristics at low speed acceleration and deceleration. Lexus needs to hire some new engine/throttle control/transmission integration engineers. Very anoying waiting for transmission to shift gears.

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  Love my 04 RX - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By John THW - October 27 - 12:30 am

  Terrific vehicle! Wished I had the voice recognition and BlueTooth which are now standard for the 05, but I got a great price for my 04 so I cant complain. The ergonomics can be better- specifically the radio display and certain controls. NAV is very good, but wish I could combine the best features from Acura and Lexus! Sound system is good (standard), but not as good as our other car (Acura TSX). Power is more than adequate, but wish it got better gas mileage-dont even think that youll get close to 26 hwy, but I love the fact that premium gas is not necessary.

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  aaaa - 2003 Lexus LX 470
  By aaa` - October 22 - 2:00 am

  just got my new LX470 a week ago, and already put in 350 miles( cant resist to spin it around the town).This car is built with the highest quality and so comfortable, smooth and luxury that you dont feel like driving a SUV. I had owned and driven Acura MDX(2001&2002 models)recently, and there is no comparison!!! You get what you pay for