Is Lexus a Luxury Car?
As the luxury division of Japanese automaker Toyota, Lexus fits the bill for one of the industry's best–and most reliable—luxury car brands.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota. It also happens to manufacture some of the most sophisticated and reliable vehicles in the industry.
Toyota
has always been known for producing some of the best and most reliable vehicles on the market. But for anyone looking for more luxury features without compromising quality, Lexus builds on all the success of Toyota and adds refinement and sophistication. Featuring the perfect blend of style, comfort, technology, and dependability, getting behind the wheel of a Lexus is hard to beat. Whether you’re looking for a fuel-efficient sedan, heavy-hauling SUV, or high-performance sports car, you’ll find all the details you need to know about Lexus luxury cars here from
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Is Lexus a luxury car?
Yes, Lexus is a luxury car manufacturer. Although Lexus vehicles are based on the same qualities that make Toyota—
the company that owns Lexus
—some of the best-selling vehicles, all Lexus vehicles are considered luxury. The price tag is confirmation enough! What makes a luxury car?
Although not technically the same company, the two brands’ cars share many of the same platforms and components—some of which are even built in the same production facilities. For example, the 2021 Lexus GX460 shares the same platform as the 2021 Land Cruiser Prado.
But compared to Toyota, what makes Lexus vehicles so luxurious?
While there is no concrete definition of what constitutes luxury, high-end vehicles tend to share some commonalities that we classify as “luxury.” Some of these features include:
- Performance features like bigger and more powerful engines and upgraded suspensions
- Comfort features like leather upholstery, wood trim, lumbar seat support, heated or cooled seating, power-adjustable seats, or memory functions
- Enhanced technology features like premium sound systems, telematics, entertainment systems, and advanced safety
- Style features like ambient cabin lighting and aluminum or carbon-fiber body parts
Although Lexus’s parent company offers many of the same standard features and upgrades in its vehicles, Toyota materials, craftsmanship, and technology don’t compare to those in a Lexus.
Is Lexus a good luxury brand?
So, is Lexus a good luxury car brand? If you’re looking for style, sophistication, and performance combined with top-level reliability, Lexus is about as good as it comes.
According to Consumer Reports, Lexus earns the top spot—followed by
Mazda
and Toyota—as the most reliable brand based on their annual auto reliability brand rankings.With average or better-than-average reliability, Lexus vehicles may cost more than a Toyota or Mazda. But you’re investing in Japanese craftsmanship backed by years of dependability and durability. Not to mention,
Lexuses can last up to 20 years
with proper maintenance!The best Lexus luxury cars
With a range of coupes and sedans to suit every style, Lexus offers a great lineup of luxury cars. Here are a few consistent top sellers.
Lexus IS
If you’re looking for luxury at an affordable price point, the
Lexus IS
is probably the best choice. With sharp exterior styling and a comfortable, upscale interior, the IS is the purest expression of a sports sedan. It is the second best-selling sedan in the Lexus lineup, only behind the ES. And for a starting price of just $40,275, it seems like a bargain for what you get.
Standard features include:
- 17-speaker, 1,800-watt Mark Levinson Surround Sound Audio System
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™ capability
- Remote Connect, Service Connect, and Safety Connect
- Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
With three available engines and a host of optional features, you can
customize the Lexus IS
to create your perfect compact sports sedan. And if you want to kick things up a notch, the F Sport will do the trick. Featuring aggressive styling and chassis enhancements, the top-level IS500 F Sport Performance model boasts a whopping 472-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine to make all your speed-demon dreams come true.
Or, if you don’t need quite that level of power, upgrade the IS300 or IS350 with the Premium Package or Memory Package for a little more comfort and pizazz.
Key specs | 2022 Lexus IS300 |
|---|---|
Engine | 241-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
Transmission | 6-speed automatic transmission |
Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive |
0 to 60 | 6.1 to 6.9 seconds |
EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 22/19/26 (combined/city/highway) |
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Lexus ES
The
Lexus ES
is the brand's best-selling sedan—and there’s a good reason for it. Unlike the IS, the ES doesn’t scream high-performance luxury. It forgoes ultra-athleticism in favor of a quiet, comfortable ride in an upscale cabin. Although the base model ES comes standard with a four-cylinder engine, the
more powerful ES 350 V6
and more fuel-efficient ES 300h hybrid are available. But regardless of what powertrain and trim level you choose, you’ll get a smooth, comfortable ride with plenty of driver-assistance and infotainment features. Although it may not deliver the sportiness of its rivals, the level of luxury and cost—a starting MSRP of $42,100—are virtually unmatched.
Standard features include:
- 10-way power driver and passenger seat
- 10-speaker sound system equipped with SiriusXM satellite radio
- 8-inch central display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability
- Lexus's Safety System+ 2.5
If you’re keen on getting a few more features—and don’t mind paying the price to upgrade—the Ultra Luxury Package available on the ES350 is worth it. It adds 18-inch wheels, semi-aniline leather upholstery, a hands-free power trunk, a power rear sunshade, a wood-and-leather steering wheel, and an adaptive suspension.
And if you’re looking for more, the Navigation Package upgrades the infotainment system with a larger 12.3-inch display screen, in-dash navigation, and voice recognition.
Key specs | 2022 Lexus ES250 |
|---|---|
Engine | 203-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic transmission |
Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
0 to 60 | 8.5 seconds |
EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 28/25/34 (combined/city/highway) |
Lexus LC
Despite being in its fifth model year, the Lexus LC still looks as fresh as ever. It’s available in three models: the LC, LC Hybrid, and LC Convertible, each climbing higher in price. Although it sits in the same category as the BMW 8 Series and the
Porsche 911
, the LC offers a more reserved driving demeanor from a naturally aspirated V8 or a more fuel-efficient hybrid V6. It’s smooth, classy, and has an interior worthy of a Lexus halo car. As long as you aren’t expecting sports-car performance from the LC, this stunning piece of art is sure to please even the pickiest luxury fanatics. But with a starting price of $94,300, it doesn’t come cheap.
Standard features include:
- Electric power-assist speed-sensing steering
- Heated & ventilated front bucket seats
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- Lexus Enform infotainment system
- Lexus's Safety System+ 2.5
Although the LC comes stocked with most features a luxury car connoisseur could want, adding the Touring Package brings some extra perks: semi-aniline leather upholstery, a faux-suede headliner, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system, parking sensors, a windshield wiper de-icing feature, and a heated steering wheel.
Key specs | 2022 Lexus LC500 Coupe |
|---|---|
Engine | 471-hp 5.0-liter V8 |
Transmission | 10-speed automatic transmission |
Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
0 to 60 | 4.9 seconds |
EPA fuel economy (mpg ) | 19/16/25 (combined/city/highway) |
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Lexus luxury SUVs
On top of a solid lineup of luxury sedans, you’ll also find a host of SUVs that offer family-friendly convenience and capability with the same performance as their smaller offerings—including three hybrid models and a plug-in hybrid.
Among five SUVs and their hybrid variants, there are two that consistently rank higher in sales: the GX and RX
The
Lexus GX
is the biggest and most burly Lexus SUV starting at $57,275. Although it may look ritzy outside, this behemoth is just as capable off-road as any of its Toyota relatives. However, its fuel efficiency leaves something to be desired. It has a truck-like body-on-frame construction and a massive 4.6-liter V8 engine with an adjustable suspension system that makes it
great for off-road driving
. Standard features include a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, a 9-speaker sound system, black leatherette seats, and more.The smaller
Lexus RX
is the brand's best-selling SUV that comes in both a gas-powered engine and a hybrid variant. For a starting MSRP of $47,070, the RX scraps the athleticism for class and comfort. Its 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers ample power, while its plush interior features plenty of technology and premium finishes. But if you’re looking for luxury in the RX, the F Sport models are the coolest.
Add the Navigation Package, and you’ll upgrade to a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display, in-dash navigation, a DVD/CD player, and a 12-speaker audio system.
How to save on Lexus insurance with Jerry
Although your Lexus may come fully loaded with a host of luxury features ranging from state-of-the-art technology to the finest leather interiors, even the most luxurious features aren’t going to be able to find you affordable rates for your
car insurance
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FAQs
Is Lexus more luxurious than Audi?
What screams luxury to you may not to another driver. If a Bugatti or Rolls Royce is your definition of luxury, a Lexus won’t cut it.
But comparing apples to apples, both Lexus and Audi offer a lineup of luxury performance cars that range from the modest and humble Audi A3 and Lexus IS to the ultra-flashy Audi R8 and Lexus LC500. However, Lexus receives better quality and reliability rankings from experts like J.D. Power and Consumer Reports.
Are Lexus cars expensive?
Yes and no—the price of a Lexus depends on what you want. Generally speaking, Lexuses are more expensive than mass-market cars like Ford, Toyota, and Honda, but prices vary dramatically with a range of available models and trim levels. If affordability is key, smaller base-model vehicles generally have a lower price than larger SUVs, hybrids, or sports cars.
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