Over the years, Lexus has been stereotyped as a luxury brand that does not do much to excite their clientele. Some say they are boring to drive and are not assertive or bold enough in their designs. Lexus knows this and has desperately wanted to change how they’re perceived. Over the past decade, they have made significant changes to stand out as a true contender in the performance and luxury market. Nowadays, their vehicles may make you give a double-take, and you might ask yourself: “Wait, is that really a Lexus?”
Lexus has been around for over three decades, and they know how to make a posh car. Their very first iteration of a car was the LS, and the success of that vehicle put them on the map. We are now in the renaissance of Lexus. We are seeing sharp designs and impressive performance numbers.
If you haven’t considered a Lexus in the past, here’s why you should consider one now.
A Lexus Has More Lives Than A Cat
With Toyota as the parent company to Lexus, reliability is one of their highest priorities. Many loyal Lexus fans buy their vehicles brand new and drive them an inordinate amount of miles. Some Lexus owners have even taken their vehicles to more than a million miles with relative ease. JD Power has also awarded Lexus multiple reliability and dependability awards over the years. Luxury cars can be expensive to repair, and many of Lexus’ German rivals know their service centers all too well.
They’re Keeping The Naturally Aspirated V8 Alive
Lexus knows how to produce a smile-inducing ride. They offer a naturally aspirated performance V8 in a variety of their vehicles. This beautiful piece of engineering produces horsepower to the tune of 471 with 398 lb-ft of torque in some iterations. Not only does this engine provide great performance, but also one of the best-composed exhaust notes in the industry.
Lexus has partnered with Yamaha in the past to fine-tune the acoustics of their exhausts, so this is no surprise. Much of their competition is moving to smaller engines with electrification and forced induction, but we’re glad Lexus is giving one last hurrah to the old-school V8.
Striking Design For The Masses
As Lexus has changed their design language, some have criticized the large hourglass-shaped spindle grilles that are now on all of their vehicles. But recent designs have worked out the kinks, and most of the grilles are far less gaudy than they used to be. Now Lexus is the king of aggressive body lines and floating rooflines along with other design cues. When the Lexus LC coupe was announced for the 2018 model year, automotive journalists applauded Lexus for staying true to the classy styling previewed in the LC concept car.
Lexus created a timeless and sporty design with their halo car, the LFA. Although now a decade old, the LFA is a highly sought-after vehicle, and collectors will pay top dollar for them. One recently sold on Bring a Trailer for over $800,000. Even buyers not in the market for a six-figure supercar can find extra edgy styling in most other Lexus models with the optional F Sport package.
As sales continue to rise in the luxury segment, Lexus knows that they need to stay relevant amidst stiff competition. They have come a long way since your grandma’s Lexus. More heads are turning as Lexus commands more attention with their bold design and strong performance. The traditional luxury supremacy is challenged by Lexus more than you think.