Lexus is Toyota’s luxury division. Formed in 1989, it was a response to both Honda and Nissans’ entry into the luxury car market. Since then, it has grown to become one of the most successful luxury marques in recent history, and a symbol of style and sophistication around the world.
This list is an overview of Lexus’ current roster of vehicles, from their SUVs, to sports cars, and everything in between. We’ll also discuss the brand’s reputation in the automotive world, and their overall image in the eyes of customers.
10 Entry-Level SUVs
Lexus’ two least expensive vehicles are the UX and NX. The UX, which starts at $32,300, is branded as an urban sub-compact crossover, marketed to younger customers. It comes standard with front wheel drive, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Like most Lexus models, it’s available with an F-Sport trim level, which adds a number of stylistic changes to the car.
The NX, at $36,720, is slightly larger than the UX, and is marketed to those who want a little more room and more performance. It comes with a turbocharged 235 horsepower engine, all-wheel-drive on all trim levels, and it does 0-60 in 7.2 seconds. Both vehicles come standard with Lexus’ Nuluxe leatherette, however the ‘Luxury’ trim on the NX adds genuine perforated leather seats and trim.
9 Mid-Range SUVs
The RX and the GX occupy Lexus’ midrange SUV line. Unlike its less-expensive cousins, it lacks a Luxury trim, but does have an F-Sport version. The RXL adds an extra row of bucket seats, with available captain’s chairs for second-row passengers. The RX has a 295 hp V6 and the option to add all-wheel-drive on every trim level.
The Lexus GX, at $53,000, is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Marketed as a full-sized SUV, the GX is noticeably boxier than its counterparts, and has better off-road capabilities. It comes with standard full-time 4WD, and an off-road package that includes a terrain monitor, crawl control, and a reinforced underbody that protects against scrapes and bumps. The GX comes standard with three rows of seating, and a 301 hp V8 engine.
8 High-End SUVs
The biggest and most expensive SUV in Lexus’ lineup, starting at $86,380, is the LX. There are only two trims for the LX, one with two rows of seating, and another with three. The truck comes with a 383 hp V8 engine, full-time 4WD powertrain, and a locking differential for enhanced off-road capability.
Leather is standard, with no option to add Nuluxe. The truck comes standard with all of the same perks that were in the GX’s off-road package, like terrain monitoring and crawl control. Optional Luxury and F-Sport packages are also available.
7 Entry-Level Sedans
The IS starts at $38,560, and is positioned as an entry-level sports sedan. There are two versions of the car, the 300 and the 350. The 350 has more horsepower and a limited slip differential, among other features.
Both have available AWD and an F-Sport trim. For a little over a $1,000 more, customers can buy the ES, which is larger with similar performance specs. The ES features a trim called ‘Ultra Luxury,’ which adds genuine leather and a power rear sunshade. None of the combustion-engine versions have the option for AWD.
6 Mid-Range Sedans
Both with stated prices of around $41k and $51k respectively, the RC and the GS occupy the company’s mid-range category. The RC is a coupe, and stands out as the only non-performance two-door in Lexus’ lineup. The RC is similar to the ES, albeit with a sportier appearance and a smaller back seat. Both have alternating 300 and 350 trims, with additional features and available F-Sport styling and AWD.
The more expensive GS is positioned as a mid-size executive saloon, and is positioned just below the high-end LS. Available with either the standard or F-Sport trims, both have identical 3.5 L V6 engines, though the later comes with leather seats and interior trim only.
5 High-End Sedans
The LS sits at the top of Lexus’ pecking order in the non-performance sedan category. A full-size sedan, with performance elements to boot, the LS is the most powerful of its peers, with a 416 hp V6, along with a longer list of standard features.
The LS starts at $75,450, but for a staggering $97,665, drivers could have opted for the ‘Inspiration Edition,’ which contains glass interior trim and a wealth of exclusive features. We say ‘could’ because the Inspiration was limited to just 300 units, and all of them have been sold.
4 Hybrids
Drivers may be surprised to learn that Lexus has a vast selection of hybrids, and almost all of the cars mentioned above have hybrid counterparts. On the SUV side, the UX, NX and RX all come as hybrids, along with the ES, LS and the performance-oriented LC in their sedan lineup. Of the models listed, the hybrid ES has the best mileage, with 44 mpg city/highway, followed by the UX at 39. Most hybrid models feature upgraded standard features compared to their gas-only counterparts.
For example, all of the hybrid SUVs in the lineup come standard with AWD. Each hybrid is sub-divided into different trim levels, like F-Sport and Luxury, though this isn’t uniform across all models. Perhaps the most intriguing of the hybrids is the LC, which gets over 353 brake horsepower but still manages 35 mpg.
3 Performance
Lexus has a number of ultra-high-end performance models for people who want more horses under the hood. The three they have on display include the RC-F, the GS-F, and the LC.
The LC packs a punch with a 471 hp V8 and can go from zero to sixty in as little as 4.4 seconds. Lexus is quick to tout the LC’s power, with a video on their website showing it going up against an Aston Martin DB11 in a performance test. The LC has a hybrid version, with less horsepower and superior mpg. The hybrid trim currently has the most expensive starting price of any car in their current lineup, with an MSRP of $97,460.
2 Concepts
Like any car company, Lexus has plenty of concept cars that may, or may not, be produced. There are currently five concepts in the pipeline. The LC convertible seems to be the most likely to be made, as it’s essentially a standard LC without a roof.
Another with realistic expectations is the LF-FC, a hydrogen fuel cell sedan that’s following a recent trend set forth by other manufacturers in creating carbon-neutral models. One concept that is actually planned on being released is not a car at all, but a yacht called the LY 650. No word yet on the price, though it’s supposed to come out later this year.
1 Overall Reputation
Lexus has built a reputation for dependability, and their cars and often rank among the most reliable made. Generally speaking, Lexus is the most reliable luxury make in the world today. Like its parent company, it has taken great strides to produce eco-friendly cars, as evidenced by their robust line of hybrids.
This reputation has allowed Lexus to dominate both the North American and Japanese luxury automotive markets, building up a brand image that’s nearly unbeatable. Earlier this year, the company announced that it had sold 10 million vehicles worldwide. In the eyes of the general public, Lexus is viewed as a classy and sophisticated company, and a tempting alternative to long-established luxury brands.