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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  Almost Flawless - 1999 Lexus LX 470
  By Steve - January 27 - 2:46 pm

  Weve owned it since new. On long trips, it feels like youre sitting in a comfy chair in your living room. On the negative side, too many unnecessary options for headlights, give us "on" or "off". The height adjustment was also a useless addition, we never used it. Also, the button to engage the 4-wheel drive was placed where it could be inadvertently hit which happened several times for us and caused problems. Would like to see Lexus add some practical options, like an automatic step that would engage and allow older or physically challenged passengers easier access. Overall, though, its been a delightful vehicle.

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  Easily best in its class - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By ricois300 - January 26 - 10:00 am

  The IS easily beats out the BMW330 and the Audi A4 considering the extra thousands youll be putting down for the same options. I got the 5spd, leather, NAV, everything but heated seats. Thats because I found the only 5spd with NAV in all of Atlanta at the time. Looks great, pretty good power, great brakes, handles like a beast. Interior could use some more luxury for my taste, some wood here and there, but the stereo is powerful, and the Nav is great and easy to understand. Excellent performance/luxury rear drive car for the money.

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  Pure Joy! - 2005 Lexus RX 330
  By Richard Levy - January 25 - 2:56 pm

  When you drive this vehicle around town, its just another car. But when you take it on a trip - ITS PURE JOY! I love the nav. syst. It helps to keep me awake & alert when Im driving through the desert to Las Vegas in extreme comfort using cruise control. On a long trip this car is a "toy". its my entertainment, & I love it. Dual temp. control is a great feature. I inflated the tires to 37 psi & got 26 mpg without sacrificing comfort. Plenty of room for 2 sets of skiis & all our gear for a week of skiing at Las Vegas Ski Resort. No need to purchase ski rack. We needed chains for last 10 miles. No problem! We had rain in Las Vegas, Snow at Mt. Charleston, & wind on the freeway. No Problem!

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  The best car out there! - 1998 Lexus LS 400
  By Carolyn VanO - January 23 - 8:02 pm

  The value in a LS 400 is amazing! It runs better than a new car. It has been very dependable. It takes bumps in the road like a full size Lexus. I tend to have a problem with motion sickness. The LS400 is so smooth that vibrations seem to be absorbed in the suspension and the car floats on the road. Even though ours is a 1998, it is road worthy. It is a great car!

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  Buy it now!! - 2004 Lexus GS 300
  By HHGSOwner - January 23 - 10:00 am

  Traded in my C-Class and am completely thrilled. GS-300 has plenty of power, dont listen to the nay sayers!! Smooth, quiet, touch of understeer which I happen to like. Test drove the A-6, new E-class, 5 series, and TL; this one beat them all out, and got an amazing deal with payments less than my 2002 C-Class!! Buy this car!

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  the best used car to buy - 1996 Lexus ES 300
  By alexstano - January 23 - 10:00 am

  already over 230,000 mile still drives like a dream.

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  Look for an adventure - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By looknow12 - January 23 - 10:00 am

  With this vehicle, you look for places to drive. Its comfortable, smooth, quiet, surefooted and handles better than most cars. Every feature and button is laid out where it should be. Navigation system is by far the best in the industry. Touch screen also carries the radio, climate control & DVD. MBs is frustrating to use. Vehicle is unstoppable. Ive had journeys through 40" snow storms with ease and have traversed uphill dirt piles for fun. Of every 4wd vehicle Ive had, this is the most capable.

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  Love My GX470! - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Jerp - January 23 - 10:00 am

  The GX 470 is a dream of a car. Solid handling, plush interior, sharp lines and great ride for such a short wheelbase. Very quiet and roomy.

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  Nice hybrid SUV, not so nice GPS - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By SJFK from Seattle - January 19 - 11:50 pm

  Decided to trade in our 2001 RX 300 Silversport for the RX 400h when price of gasoline skyrocketed. The first 5000 miles has been a fairly pleasant and uneventful experience getting a decent 26 MPG on mixed highway and city driving (compared to 19-20 MPG on the RX 300). I find myself constantly playing the game of trying to maximize the efficiency and in the process developed a lighter right foot to allow the car to "glide" more (CVT is gearless so no downshifts like the conventional transmission when you let go of the accelerator). The car slows down mainly from the force of friction between the road and tires. Hate to admit it, but the car has trained me to become a better driver.

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  Smooth - 2007 Lexus RX 350
  By A. Marie - January 19 - 1:38 am

  If satin and velvet had a baby, it would be called Lexus. I have no complaints. Reliable, practical, safe, and rides/drives like a dream.