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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  Great combination vehicle - 2016 Lexus NX 200t
  By Joseph DiMaria - August 12 - 2:35 am

  Drives like a car but u have the driving view like an SUV. Good gas mileage plus extra storage space and flexibility.

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  Great car but for rattles @ clicks in w - 2003 Lexus SC 430
  By sirkeys - August 10 - 10:00 am

  The car runs well and has a crisp suspension relative to the LS430. Handling is better than the GS400 I just turned in. Car has annoying rattles and clicks that the dealer has tried to fix. It will go back again! Could use more legroom in rear. Rear seats are for packages only.

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  RX is Best Car Ive Owned - 2001 Lexus RX 300
  By Tom in Omaha - August 10 - 10:00 am

  The 2001 RX is the first Lexus we have owned and it is the best car we have owned. Rides great, comfortable for four adults (dont bring a lot of luggage) and performance is very acceptable (remember this is an SUV). One of the nice benefits of an Lexus is the service provided by the dealership, which is fantastic. Last year we went skiing in Colorado and the RX went up I-70 without any problems at all ... more power than I had predicted.

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  Who says 70K miles is a lot? - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By Dick Killoran - August 10 - 10:00 am

  I couldnt afford a new one, so I bought a used 2002 RX300 with 70,000 miles. It handles better and is more quiet than a new Caravan which was my second choice. To help make my purchase decision I test drove a brand new RX330. I found the new car to be only a little quieter and a little more peppy. I hope to get 200,000 miles out of it. It is the nicest vehicle I have ever owned!

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  Cant Wait to buy another one! - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By bwhite - August 9 - 5:30 am

  Bought this car with 130,000. Now has 160,000 and runs as smooth as ever. Very fast and responsive, use synthetic oil for the engine due to the mileage. It still attracts a lot of attention. A little snug for me at 62". Highly recommend it. I would absolutely buy another one.

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  Sporty and Solid - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By jonsey - August 8 - 5:00 pm

  I compared the sportcross with the BMW wagon and hands down the sportcross was the better deal - not just in terms of price but the performance was excellent. I love this car and disagree with the edmund reviews that this is more suitable for the "baggy pant masses". This is definitely NOT your parents wagon, but its a great car for someone who wants the flexibility/cargo of a wagon without the wagon look.

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  Black Lightling - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By ruckersoccer - August 8 - 3:43 am

  The GS 300 is an awesome automobile. I got the black and it looks sharp. It handle well at high speeds and you cannot even tell when you drive 75+ MPH. I would like an lightup display on windshield to monitor speed, but Ill do without. Have the NAV system and will never buy a car without it now. I drive a lot to different places and its like havain and intactive map with you at all time guiding you through the biggest cities turn by turn. She has a nice voice too.. :-) Im sold on Lexus and bought the correct car. Looked at BMW 5 series, Audi A6 and Mecedes C something. The GS 300/450 beat them all hand down for luxury and ride. The A6 was close though.

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  Toyota Hybrid drivetrain w/o the Prius looks - 2012 Lexus CT 200H
  By tk1971 - August 6 - 10:40 pm

  Like it or hate it, the Toyota Prius has successfully mainstreamed the hybrid car. The first gen cars that are still out on the road is a testament of how reliable this drivetrain is. But for some (like myself), I cant get past the way it looks (like a door stop). Its just not my style. The Lexus CT200h floats my boat. Compared to a Prius, its a very different car. The front bucket seats alone are worth the price of admission. The sporty good looks, larger alloy wheels, and luxurious amenities sacrifices some MPG, but Im getting more than 45mpg. What more can I ask for? Sure, its on the low end of the Lexus totem pole, but its definitely more comfortable than a top of the line Prius.

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  Luxury - 2006 Lexus RX 330
  By Diane - August 6 - 9:26 pm

  I love this car. It drives so smooth. Drives good in the snow. Seat warmers are great. Back up camera is great also. The navigation and bluetooth really are the step above luxury.

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  Lexus GS 300 is a good car - 2002 Lexus GS 300
  By JJ - August 6 - 1:10 pm

  Bought it new in 02 for $39,500 and i still like it a lot. at 200k miles, it still runs quietly and smoothly. Ill get another one soon. A very few complaints and they are too minor to mention. Im in sales and its perfect for that. Dealer service is too expensive but if you can find an honest independent, go with that.