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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  Dont buy an ES 350 - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By gjfes350 - July 11 - 3:23 pm

  My first experience as a Lexus owner has been a nightmare. I have had one problem after another with the car (transmission replaced, non-functioning voice response, navigation system, Bluetooth, tire pressure sensors, etc.).

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  Top-Knotch with Annoyances - 2010 Lexus RX 350
  By Alancom - July 9 - 3:53 am

  I traded in a 2007 RX AWD for this and kind of regret spending the extra 20K. The vehicle is a great car but it has some very annoying features that prevent me from loving it. #1-Gas mileage. Rated 18/25 (21 combined),all I can say is in your dreams. My 2007 AWD did better. After 5 months, 80% local, 20% HWY Im AVERAGING 16.9, not even close to the min 18 mpg local only expected. #2-When car is first started I hear a persistent louder-than-valve- tap knock that disappears in time (5 min+). Will find out what it is at 5K checkup soon. #3-rain sensing wipers with no override for true intermittent wiper. Theyll run at top speed in a drizzle. Cant beat a Lexus but this is my 6th and least fav.

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  Great car but - 2010 Lexus ES 350
  By CarMan - July 4 - 3:36 pm

  I love the car and especially the electronic key system. However, I would likely not purchase another Lexus unless two things are changed. First, to lock the doors, you simply push the button on the door, which is easy to forget if youre in a hurry. The doors need to lock automatically after 30 sec-2 min., determined by the customer. Its far too easy to leave the car unlocked. Second problem is the very inadequate GPS. I have a $200 Garmin GPS for use in rental cars when I travel. It speaks street names for turns and gives traffic info (features found in various brands for years). The Lexus GPS has neither of these or other advanced features. Lexus needs to fix these problems.

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  400h not suitable for winter with ice - 2007 Lexus RX 400H
  By Laurence and Theresa - July 3 - 2:00 am

  The 400h was the first hybrid we owned and we paid a premium at the time. We would not buy a hybrid again. We live in Canada and travel every weekend to snowy conditions. The hybrid is underpowered on the rear axle since it is powered by an electric motor. In situations where the front wheels have low traction and the rear has to take the load it does not perform. We have several friends in British Columbia who Twill not take this vehicle up a driveways if there is snow and ice. Bottom line this is not a 4 wheel. It is an all wheel with insufficient torque in the rear drive train for winter conditions due to a lack of power design in the rear electric drive train. T

• 

  like lexus - 2016 Lexus RX 350
  By richard jean - June 20 - 12:53 am

  economy

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  The best value of any entry luxuary car - 2007 Lexus ES 350
  By Steve in CT - June 13 - 12:26 pm

  Owned for 1 month. I researched every so called entry luxury sedan out there. None of them had the smooth and quiet ride that I have experienced with the 2007 ES 350 Lexus. Before you purchase an entry luxury car do yourself a favor and sit in the back seats of the Infiniti and Acura. No comparison for comort. Only sedan that can comfortable fit 5 adults. Try that with the competition. When driving over 60 miles per hour in each car, You will notice some noise in every auto except the Lexus. Much smoother, cushier ride then the Infiniti and Acura. Fuel economy. Im getting 23-24 mph in city. All hwy. was 28-29 mph. Using mid grade gas.

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  Electronic Issues - 2006 Lexus GS 300
  By David - June 7 - 10:30 am

  I used to drive a lot for business. Problems started when the warranty expired. It was like clock work! First the cruise control went dead. Took it to the neighborhood Lexus dealer. They kept my car for a 4 hours and could not find the problem. They were going to charge me $400.00 ($100 per hour) for diagnostics. Naturally, I didnt. Then the speedometer went crazy, going back and forth to not working at all, the car wouldnt shut off. Then nothing, everything would work fine the next day. The dealer told me its a sensor problem and would cost $ 2000.00 + to repair!

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  ES 300 analysis - 2003 Lexus ES 300
  By Tony Bass - June 5 - 10:00 am

  our 2003 Lexus ES 300 is one of the worst riding cars we have ever owned. Its suspension system doesnt even small bumps making it very uncomfortable to drive/ride on all roads other than highways.

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  Comfortable around town cruiser - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By V - June 3 - 7:16 pm

  I bought the LS430 for family and guests to have something to drive around town in comfortably and safely. If you want a real comfortable and sports sedan buy the Audi S8!

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  Sold on the Test Drive - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By ERDELL - June 2 - 7:26 pm

  It has a quiet, smooth as silk ride and handles well, taking turns much better than my 2000 Chrysler Concorde LXi. I only have 3 complaints, although they are minor. The rear passengers complain that they have no room for their feet, as the front seats are low to the floor. Second, why cant the Japanese make seats comparable to those in American cars? My Chrysler seats were much better padded and roomier. 3rd, Toyota Sienna is much better appointed with tiny things that make a difference, like a little hook you can flip out to hold a garbage bag. The Lexus doesnt even have a compartment for sunglasses, which even my husbands Sentra has. For $38,000+ I expect more details.