For 25 years the Lexus LX coexisted with the Toyota Land Cruiser with the former based heavily on the latter. But that all changed this year as a new LX launches this luxury SUV’s fourth generation, while the Land Cruiser is no longer available in the U.S. The decision is … Read more
The hidden gem of the Toyota Experience Center. Toyota Motor Corporation is one of the largest automotive manufacturers in the world. It also has a strong presence in North America, a market that outsells its Japanese home market, 2-to-1. Comprised chiefly of the Toyota and Lexus brands, the company has … Read more
If your product launched a segment and still dominates it, how do you maintain that position? That’s a challenge Lexus faces with its midsize RX crossover, a model introduced in 1998. The RX has done exceedingly well for the brand, with a record 115,230 units sold in 2021. That means … Read more
The 2023 Lexus UXh receives updates; the gas-only model goes away. Lexus’ smallest crossover utility vehicle is going full hybrid for 2023. At least in the U.S. market. Beginning late this summer, the UX line becomes synonymous with hybrid only as it loses its gas-only model. The move follows what … Read more
Following on the heels of the Toyota brand, the Lexus marque will soon see its first full-electric model. Today, Lexus debuted the RZ 450e. Like other Lexus models, we simply drop the nomenclature after the first two letters. Unlike the other models, this one is fully electric. In other words, … Read more
Toyota Motor Corporation announced this week that the company is investing $70 billion to move the automaker toward an electrified future. The pivot includes both its Toyota and Lexus brands, with the latter slated to become electric only. Kicking off the effort for the luxury marque is the Lexus RZ … Read more
It has been nearly a quarter of a century since the Lexus RX appeared, a 1999 model that broke new ground. At the time, luxury utility vehicles were somewhat uncommon as mainstream models dominated. But Lexus saw an opening, particularly from customers who wanted something fancier than a Jeep Grand … Read more
The Lexus ES delivers panache for an affordable price. The world of luxury models is a pricey one with customers easily paying $50,000 or more for their vehicle of choice. There are a few exceptions, but you must research carefully to find an exceptional deal. One strong exception is the … Read more
Rumor: A plug-in hybrid Lexus UC may be under development The rumors first surfaced in late June and only became stronger through the extended Independence Day weekend. When we learned that Lexus might develop a version of the Toyota 86, which itself is derived from the Subaru BRZ, that caught … Read more
The Lexus LC 500 is available as hard-top coupe or convertible. The Lexus LC 500 is a 2+2 sports car, the latest high-performance model from Toyota’s luxury marque. This year, a convertible joins the coupe and a hybrid variant. Thus, we now have a jaw-dropping gorgeous touring drop-top version serving … Read more
Optimum power comes to the IS range. Ever since Lexus discontinued the GS sedan and its potent GS F variant, rumors of an IS F model have continued. After all, by dropping the GS, Lexus left a big gap in its performance sedan lineup, one that seemed as if it … Read more
Lexus updates the IS as it retires the GS. Sedan sales continue to decline as consumers opt for utility vehicles. But some manufacturers are doubling down on the segment by updating new models. This year, Lexus canceled the midsize GS, while updating the IS. The number of Lexus sedan lines … Read more
Drop-top fun comes to Lexus’ range-topping sport coupe. We’ve been anticipating a convertible variant for the breathless LC 500 line and now it’s here. Lexus’ range-topping sport-touring coupe that debuted in 2018 along with a hybrid version, now claims a drop-top version to round out the model line. Notably, it’s … Read more
Lexus and performance are nothing new. We’ve seen a host of hot models down through the years, capped by the V10-powered LFA, a $400,000 supercar built in 2011 and 2012. Since the LFA’s brief run, Lexus has released a pair of sports cars – the RC in 2015 followed by … Read more
Genesis gains its first SUV. Hyundai’s Genesis brand has three sedans to show for it, but we’re still waiting the debut of its first utility vehicle. Fortunately, that wait is nearing an end as this luxury marque intends to release the GV80 SUV this fall. When the GV80 arrives it … Read more
It has been 30 years since Toyota rolled out the Lexus brand, forever changing the industry as its cars soon became the gold standard for the industry. Since then, Lexus has evolved, adding coupes, sport cars, utility vehicles, and hybrids to the product line. Even as crossovers now dominate, Lexus … Read more
The Lexus RX is a midsize, luxury SUV and the only model in its segment with an available full-hybrid drivetrain. For just over two decades, the RX has set the pace in the luxury sphere, delivering cutting-edge styling, efficiency, opulence, and value. For 2020, the Lexus RX 350 features a … Read more
Limousines take us there in style, whether to the airport, a wedding venue, or chaperoning us to a sad graveside farewell. These days, what we call a limousine is just as likely to be a large utility vehicle as it is a full-size sedan. The trend to SUVs continues unabated, … Read more
Toyota builds several modern and forward-thinking models, but the Lexus GX 460 is not one of them. Indeed, this midsize traditional body-on-frame utility vehicle features an aged design, which is undergirded by the same platform supporting the Toyota 4Runner. The Lexus has a modern look, which does its best to … Read more
Decisions, decisions. That’s the challenge new vehicle shoppers face when considering one of more than 400 models available to them these days. However, that search becomes much easier when you narrow the field to a particular brand, such as Lexus, which is the luxury marque for Toyota Motors. Even … Read more
Hybrid electric vehicles play an important role in delivering fuel-efficient and emissions-lowering transportation. Toyota is a leader in this field as it supplies more than a dozen such models across its Toyota and Lexus brands. But hybrids aren’t enjoying the consumer attraction needed to keep these vehicles a part of … Read more
Ever since its 1999 model year introduction, the Lexus RX has played a significant role in the luxury utility vehicle segment. In fact, it was a groundbreaking vehicle, as it brought the first luxury crossover SUV to the market. Since then, the RX has evolved significantly, as Lexus increased its … Read more
The 2019 Lexus RX 350 returns mostly unchanged, except for the newly added Lexus Enform Connect smartphone app integration. The current version of this SUV rolled out in 2016, launching this model’s fourth generation. There is a reason why the RX remains a top seller in the midsize luxury SUV … Read more
Toyota’s longest playing nameplate is also its most expensive model. The very first Toyota Land Cruiser was introduced in 1951, a Jeep-like vehicle built under contract to the US military for use in Korea. Based on the original Willys theme, the first “Toyota Jeep BJ” was larger and more powerful … Read more
What’s big, beautiful, and seats eight? That would be the LX 570, the largest of four SUVs sold by Lexus, Toyota’s luxury brand. Two hybrid variants are also available. This vehicle takes the bones of the highly capable Toyota Land Cruiser and adds Lexus panache to create one of the … Read more
Lexus Pulls a Clean Sweep. All good things must come to an end. One of those “things” is the ongoing loveliest Consumer Reports has had with Tesla Motors, especially the Model S. The nonprofit consumer organization released the results of its 2015 Annual Auto Reliability Survey on Tuesday, noting that … Read more
Lexus brings to the world an affordable sport coupe that isn’t a convertible. The RC is derived from three Lexus models, but has a unique undercarriage. The question not asked is this one — will we see more performance models from Toyota’s premier brand? I am a habitual visitor to … Read more
America’s best selling car model holds tight to its lead. A V-6 option adds performance, although it lacks the handling characteristics of a sports sedan. The 2015 Toyota Camry has an appealing visage and offers a model for a variety of shoppers, including an available hybrid edition. 2015 Toyota XSE … Read more
J.D. Power & Associates has once again placed the Lexus brand atop its Vehicle Dependability Study. For 2015 and for the fourth consecutive year, Toyota’s luxury brand won out, besting 30 other brands. General Motors and Toyota Motors each received seven segment awards. Customer satisfaction is critical in the auto … Read more
For three years running, Consumer Reports has issued its Annual Car Brand Report Cards. This publication reviewed 28 car brands with a US market presence and assigned scores to each one. Lexus, as usual, topped the list, but there were some surprise moves up and down the ratings that should … Read more