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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  Deceptively Quick and Very Smooth - 2004 Lexus RX 330
  By Qualitim - December 27 - 2:00 am

  The RX is faster and quicker than most people test driving it might think. This may be due to the fact that the noise in the interior at full throttle is very little louder than when cruising. Just watch the speedometer and youll see the real story. The RX is as agile around town as mid-size sedan and will cruise effortlessly on the highway at any reasonable speed. The all-wheel drive inspires confidence in wet and foul weather. Fuel economy? 20mpg or over in combination City/Highway, City only never less than 17mpg, highway only gets 23+. Who would haved expected such economy in a luxury vehicle?

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  Eye Candy!! - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By erik - December 26 - 11:46 pm

  SportCross is a head turner and as well as roomy! Fast, super smooth, super reliable, (had an A4 before and everything broke at 50K, this has 82K and tires, oil are that have changed). I hate when people complain about gas mileage.You knew what the gas mileage was when you bought it! I have gotten over 20 in city and 30 on highway.

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  RX 400h Review - 2006 Lexus RX 400H
  By tep - December 26 - 11:10 pm

  The vehicle has been 100% reliable. The longest I have driven at one time is 900 miles and it was not tiring. Fuel economy is good, around 30 mpg local driving, 32 mpg at 60 mph on highway, 26 mpg at 70 mph on highway. It is reasonably quiet on the highway with the Michelin tires. Looks like first set of tires will last 45,000 miles.

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  Upgraded from Camry Hybrid - 2010 Lexus HS 250H
  By nosleephere - December 26 - 5:56 pm

  I upgraded from the Camry Hybrid. This car drives MUCH better. You can really feel the difference in the power (even without using the power button) I get better gas mileage in middle speed (40 - 60). That was always an issue in the Camry. One frustration is the fuel tank is 3 gallons smaller so I have to fill-up every 6 days instead of 8. I am getting the same mileage overall as the Camry Hybrid. The luxury features on this car put the Toyota to shame and you get what you pay for! But increasing the lease payment by not that much moved me from Spartan Hybrid to Luxury Hybrid and that is the best decision I ever made.

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  Awesome - 2002 Lexus IS 300
  By Artier - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Its awesome!

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  Lexus RX 300 fun, cushy car to drive - 1999 Lexus RX 300
  By susan r - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I really love this car...For 35K it was way cheaper than most other luxury SUVs. The only problem I had with it was that the AC would go out, especially when it was super hot. Think Houston in summer. 100% humidity and 103 degrees. I brought it to the dealer in San Antonio who said they couldnt duplicate the problem. I later brought it to a dealer in Albuqerque who fixed the problem for free becuase by that time it was apparently a known bug. Also when I put sunblock on my hands, I got some on the black plastic thing around the console and caused the black paint on it to smudge and rub off.

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  MY RX - 2002 Lexus RX 300
  By peterpal - December 26 - 10:00 am

  THE BEST VEHICLE IVE EVER OWNED. ONCE I TOOK THE TEST DRIVE I WAS HOOKED. ITS QUIET,RIDES LIKE A LIMO GETS YOU OUT OF A FOOT OF SNOW WITH OUT A WHIMPER. EXCELLENT STEREO GIVES MY HOME UNIT A RUN FOR THE MONEY. AT 70 MPH VERY LITTLE TO NO ROAD OR WIND NOISE. GREAT PAINT JOB. VERRRY COMFORTABLE SEATS. THE DAY I PICKED IT UP MY DAUGHTER, HER BOY FRIEND, AND MY WIFE FELL ASLEEP ON THE RIDE HOME. ITS LIKE A VACATION ON WHEELS.....

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  Amazing! - 2010 Lexus GX 460
  By Ben - December 26 - 1:30 am

  I had a lexus ES 350 and traded it in for the new GX. Not kidding, this vehicle is quieter and smoother then my 07 ES. The outside is starting to grow on me, but the interior is perfect. I have been test driving and researching for over a year and came back to the comfort,reliability and luxery Lexus gives its customers for the price. The 3rd row is pretty much useless however, with it folding down flat, its not an issue for me.

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  well worth it - 2000 Lexus ES 300
  By vsalib - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Since the minute I waslked into the dealership door, this car was nothing but good experience. The car is excellent drive, easy to handle. all controls and buttons are in the right places. the car looks and is sturdy. The best of all is Lexus superb customer service

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  best sedan in the world - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By philetus - December 25 - 2:00 am

  far better auto than the S500 sport