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Lexus' top-selling mid-size SUV has received a new set of clothes, a new engine, and new interfaces for its current generation. I only wish I could say they're all good things.
I've always liked the RX 350 and the 300 and 330 that preceded it. It's luxurious, comfortable and will probably outlast its owners. But it has never been particularly fun or sporty, despite some versions wearing Lexus' "F Sport" badging that's usually more extra trim and toys than extra oomph and enjoyment.
In fact, in about the mid-2000's I drove a RX 330 while I was working part time as a Lexus customer shuttle driver, and I liked it a lot. It had an automatic transmission that featured a good manual mode and, for sitting in eight hours a day, you couldn't really beat it.
That was then.
Lexus still uses the 350 designation, which once meant it came with the company's really nice, really smooth and really torquey 3.5 litre V6. The mad stampede to save Parent Earth, however, regardless or whether or not it's really warranted, is causing many, if not most, carmakers to downsize their engines, with turbo fours displacing (no pun intended – well, not much of one, anyway) the V6's of the world.
And that's the case here. more...
I may have a new favourite Lexus and, risking being struck by lightning, it's an SUV!
Last year I was impressed mightily by the new IS 350, which is a really nice sports sedan as long as you don't drive it like a sports sedan. And, being a car guy and not particularly an SUV guy, I really wanted to love it. If Lexus updates it with the new stuff they've crammed into the NX, I might love it again.
But in the meantime, wow, this is one really nice SUV and, unlike some other Lexi I could mention, it's also a relative blast to drive, with an honest to goodness Sport (and, even better, Sport +) modes.
And even better: they've dumped that horrible trackpad on the centre console that I've complained about ever since they introduced it several years ago.
There was a lot to like about the first generation of NX, but this new one really ups the ante in a number of ways, most of which make it more interesting, more entertaining, and less frustrating. And how can one complain about that?
It's apparently part of "The Next Chapter for Lexus", which the company says is "centered around four pillars: Design, Lexus Driving Signature, Electrification and Advanced Technology. The all-new NX plays a key role in leading the brand forward on all of these dimensions."
I like the sound of that, mostly: Lexus has always been known for excellence; alas, even its sportiest models (except for the stupendous LF-A supercar) were long on luxury but short on passion – even with the so-called F Sport packages that reminded me somewhat of Toyota (Lexus' parent company) and its TRD trim levels that add a bit of performance enhancement but stops short of being much more than mere trim levels.
Anyway, for 2022, the NX has been redesigned, according to the manufacturer, from the inside out. "Every exterior surface has been reimagined. The signature spindle grille has been refined in the front. And, perhaps the most notable expression of future Lexus design is the elegant new block LEXUS rear badging and full-width tail lamp." more...
Lexus' IS series sports a new set of clothes for 2021 as well as some tweaks the company thinks should make this sporty sedan an even more compelling choice for folks shopping in this market niche.
Arguably Lexus' sportiest sedan, especially in the V-8-powered IS F trim level that appears occasionally, the IS has been around for some 20 years now and through at least three generations. My son has had a first generation IS 300 for many years now and still loves to drive it. He'd love it more were it equipped with a manual transmission, but such is the case with any IS today anyway – a stick is not available at all. And that's shame.
It means you're stuck with an automatic transmission, and depending upon the IS model you get it could have six or eight speeds. Six is best, for driving enjoyment though perhaps not for fuel mileage, and the subject of this particular rant – the IS 350 AWD F Sport – comes with the six speed. And, unlike what you don't get with the stock eight speed, it comes with paddles behind the steering wheel that give you back some of the control an automatic takes away.
So that's good. What's also good is the beautiful 3.5 litre V6 that comes in it, as well as in the IS 300 AWD (though it's not as powerful in that version: 260 horses versus 311 – with 280 torquey thingies – for the IS 350). This is a silky and smooth engine with lots of oomph and a lovely voice when you press it.
A two-litre turbo four is available on the base IS and it puts out 241 horses. more...
When looking for a Lexus vehicle – SUV, car, whatever – do you look for luxury and quality construction foremost, before other aspects such as driving dynamics?
If so, you'll probably love the current RX 350 SUV/Crossover. It's been a top seller for years now, one of if not Canada's top selling Lexus model.
(Click on the image to open a slideshow.)
And it's a very nice vehicle, indeed, comfortable and cozy and full of creature comforts. But it ain't no Cayenne or X5, etc. Not that it claims to be.
So, if you care about having a bit of fun with your right foot, this may not be your vehicle. On the other hand, one can't argue its success, nor its excellence.
And for 2021, Lexus has added a supposedly limited-edition Black Edition, which ups the luxury ante via an $8,850 package. That's what Lexus Canada's sample had and, yes, it does give you some nice toys and tools. more...
Lexus has a new entry level model, and it's a huge leap from some of the company's earlier attempts at "entry level" luxury.
It's the UX, in this case the UX 250h AWD, a "cute ute" that follows on the heels of the bland and uninteresting HS 250h sedan and the nice but boring CT 200h wagon. I didn't think much of the HS, but thought that if Lexus had released a non-hybrid version of the CT – perhaps one that uses the lovely little turbo four available on the NX. I have no idea if it would be practical to engineer such a vehicle, but if they could, I figured they'd have had a nice little wagon that could go head to head with the Audi A3, though the A3 is no longer available here as a wagon.
But Nooooooo! That boring little, but very cute, CT is now history, undoubtedly due to slow sales. Fortunately, Lexus had a few other tricks up its corporate sleeve and blended the basic underpinnings of the creasy Toyota CH-R with Lexus luxury trimmings to create a vehicle that's not only quite handsome, but which is surprisingly nice to drive.
The UX 250h, with the h denoting that it's a hybrid (there's also a UX 200 FWD available), is still covered by creases on the outside, but it isn't nearly as busy-looking as the CH-R (or some other current Japanese vehicles); even that silly "spindle grille" that looks more like a jet intake or a vacuum cleaner's input, isn't as bizarre on the UX as on some other Lexi – though it's still bizarre. more...
It was one of the two original Lexus models first introduced at the end of the 1980's, when Toyota and Nissan both had the audacity to take on the European luxury marques head to head. Now, it's just one of many Lexus offerings but, as it has always been, the ES 350 is a really nice car – and it's even quite affordable in this niche.
You can still get a normally aspirated V6 to power it, too! This is a wonderful thing in an era in which carmakers are downsizing and turbocharging their power plants.
The ES – originally the ES 250 – seemed originally to be mostly a placeholder, a car Lexus dealers could showcase alongside the legendary and innovative LS 400 (now the LS 500, the luxury sedan car that rewrote the rules of automotive luxury, quality, and marketing). There are enough different Lexi now to choke a horse, including sedans, SUV's and even a couple of coupes, so the ES is now just another entry – yet it's a darn fine one, comfortable and luxurious and nicer to drive than one might imagine from its "more luxury than fun" demeanour.
Oh, it surely isn't perfect – take a boo at the typical Lexus "alien predator" grille that, in this instance, looks like it's made out of whalebone corset thingies from days gone by, as well as the damn trackpad with which Lexus insists on saddling too many of its vehicles. more...
Lexus' top selling SUV, the RX series, has received a boost for the 2018 model year in a move that instantly makes it competitive with three row luxury people haulers.
It, as you probably guessed, is the RX 350 L, the L indicating that the vehicle has been stretched a few inches (about four, in fact) to allow for the installation of a third-row bench. It isn't a third row like you'll find in a minivan, but it's in line with some of the competitors whose Steerage class seating is more of the "emergency-public-transit-alternative-type" of vehicle.
That means adults won't want to spend a lot of time there – we checked this out with my son, just to make sure – but they can if the have to. And in the meantime, those of the smaller and/or shorter persuasion should be fine for a while, and for the times you don't need the extra bum holders the power-folding third row can be stowed flat for extra storage.
The RX has always been a great vehicle, though not really a "driver's car" per se. So, if you're looking for Porsche-like performance or feel, you're better off looking somewhere else. That said, if spirited driving isn't as high on your list as comfort, creature comforts, quality of construction, and technology, this Lexus could be the top choice. Heck, there's a reason it has been selling so well for so long. more...
The good news is that my favourite Lexus has received some tweaking for 2018, and the Japanese luxury brand has wisely refrained from messing too much with the successful NX SUV/crossover.
The bad news is that doesn't mean there's nothing to whine about, which comes in handy for a reviewer who doesn't want to seem overly hyperbolic about a vehicle. And in this case, one of my complaints is easy enough to correct: buy the turbo gas engine version rather than the hybrid, with its whiny continuously variable transmission.
It's a complaint I have with just about every vehicle I've driven that has a damn CVT. These "gearless" transmissions not only suck most of the fun out of the driving experience (instead of shifting, they feel like your vehicle is sliding along a big elastic band), they also howl like an outraged banshee when you prod the accelerator pedal, which isn't what a vehicle – especially a luxury vehicle – should do. more...
The Lexus IS has always been a nice and sporty sedan - with various levels of sportiness - and for 2017 Lexus has upgraded its interior and exterior styling, while adding more stuff and upgrading its technology.
I guess you could say it's the "IS-ing on Lexus cake…"
The IS has been my favourite Lexus sedan for quite a few years and - full disclosure - there's an original generation IS in my family, where it serves loyally and enjoyably. I'm still more than a tad ambivalent about the current exterior styling, especially the cowcatcher-like "spindle grille" and the pinched taillights, but overall it's an eye catching and modern-looking vehicle. And inside it's even nicer.
For 2017, the IS "sports" a redesigned front fascia with bigger air intakes in the bumper and revised headlamps that now feature LED's on all IS's (I guess that's the way it "IS"!). The taillights have been restyled as well, with a more pronounced (but not more attractive) L-shape, and cool new rectangular chrome exhaust tips that hint at the vehicle's purportedly sporty nature. Non F SPORT models get new wheel designs as well.
There are several enhancements inside, too, including tweaks to the audio and HVAC control panels, a new dashboard-mounted analogue clock, new stitching on top of the instrument panel's hood and new cup-holders. more...
Lexus has been relentlessly, and passionately, pursuing automotive perfection since the brand first upset the luxury car market back in 1989. Does that mean its current line has reached that pinnacle of automotive excellence for which it has advertised its intent for so long?
Of course not. The only perfection in this world is my wife - followed closely by my grandson (and, yes, they made me write that) - and it isn't realistic to expect flawlessness in any mere product, especially since your idea of perfection is undoubtedly quite a bit different from mine (which, of course, means yours is wrong...).
But they keep plugging away, redefining and refining their line and building some of the most reliable vehicles on the planet year after year.
Their mid-sized GS sports sedan is reasonably sporty, too, though folks who look for a BMW-like experience with Lexus have been disappointed because the cars, while lovely and fun, still don't have that special "je ne sais quois" of a 5 series, not that much does. more...
Take Lexus' top selling vehicle, the RX 350, shrink it to the next market niche down, and resist the urge to add a bunch of over styled cues and the result is the NX 200t, a wonderful little crossover/SUV that Lexus has made even more wonderful for 2017.
Well, mostly. It still has that awful "spindle" grille that's infecting all Lexi currently, and you have to use a trackpad to navigate its central stack's LCD - but other than that the NX continues to be my favourite current Lexus, the nicest of a very nice line of luxury vehicles.
Think of it as kind of a Rav4 on steroids, though that isn't really fair to either vehicle. But they both operate in that basic size niche, though of course at different areas of the marketplace. And they're both very good vehicles, the NX also having the honour of being the first Lexus to sport, a term used not to describe its driving experience, a turbocharged engine. more...
Lexus' top selling model has a new set of clothes for 2016, as well as some new toys and capabilities. But has the redesign done anything to make the SUV/crossover a more interesting and/or fun vehicle to drive than before?
Not really, alas, though it's still a very fine vehicle and will undoubtedly please its owners over the short and long terms.
But I remember when the RX was a tad more fun, when I drove the customer shuttle for the local Lexus dealer some 10 or so years ago. I'd do one day a week, to get me out of the home office and get some real human contact, and the shuttle then was an RX 330 Sport model, which even had a decent manual shifting mode. On the other hand, Lexus dealers have a better vehicle to use as a shuttle now - the new RX is roomier and, thanks to its lack of driver involvement, it can undoubtedly be a little more relaxing for the passengers being shuttled by lead-footed drivers. more...
Lexus is revisiting an old appellation with the 2016 IS 300.
The 300 has joined the company's other IS sedans, the (also new for 2016) IS 200t and the existing IS 350; the hope, undoubtedly, is to up Lexus' sporty reputation, which is a worthwhile endeavour for a company known more for luxe than lust.
Lexus' first real attempt at a sports sedan came in the early 2000's with the IS 300. It was a good car (full disclosure: my son drives one), though a tad busy on the instrument panel, and it featured the last version of the venerable Toyota inline six cylinder engine - a fine power plant that appeared on everything from the old Crown and Corona Mark II to the Supra sports coupe. It was a great engine; my 1983 Supra had it and I drove it happily for 20 years before finally putting it out to stud (you should see its progeny!). more...
Lexus' best selling sedan gets an upgrade for the 2016 model year that makes it an even nicer vehicle than before. And it was a darn fine vehicle already, especially after its last tweaking.
So what has Toyota's luxury division done to this Camry-inspired sedan to improve it? Lots, actually, though much of it won't be visible because it's under the skin. But even that skin has seen some reworking for 2016, resulting in a sedan that's also more handsome than it was before.
Outside, the company's designers have made their signature spindle grille a little less "alien Predator-like" without compromising its overall family-themed appearance. To each side of the grille are new LED projector headlights with L-shaped "arrowhead" daytime running lights. Newly designed fog lights are now on the outer lower corners of the front fascia, which help give the vehicle a wider-appearing stance. It's a very classy front end. more...
Lexus' entry level car would be a terrific little sports wagon if not for one thing: it isn't the least bit sporting - even, unfortunately, with the F-Sport packaged added to the mix.
It's a real shame. I love small wagons - full disclosure, my personal vehicle is a small sports wagon - because they give you all the advantages of a sedan, but with more room to haul stuff. Other examples of the species include Audi's Avants/Allroads, and the wagon versions of sedans from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. For some reason, however, wagons don't seem to sell well here in North America; maybe it's thanks to memories of the land barges with stuck on fake wood of decades past, or just because people seem to like SUV's better - but whatever the reason, consumers here are missing out on the chance for great driving pleasure with wonderful practicality in one package deal. more...
One's a turbo, the other's a hybrid, and both of these "little wagons" offers car buyers an interesting if not completely satisfying driving experience.
The B-Class is the smallest Mercedes-Benz offered in Canada currently, while the CT 200h is Lexus' entry level hybrid. They both offer the storage and practicality of a wagon and/or hatchback as well as the luxury that buyers of premium automobiles expect. And they're both priced fairly similarly: they start at just over $31,000 Canadian, though of course you can option them up from there: a nearly loaded B-Class will set you back about $42,500, while the optioned up CT 200h F Sport will drain about the same amount from your wallet.
This isn't a completely apples-to-apples comparison because the options are different in each case and because the up market B also has 4MATIC all-wheel drive, a feature that isn't available on the little Lexus. Of course, four wheel drive may not be important to you, in which case the point's moot. more...
Lexus appears to be going after the BMW 4 series coupe with its new two door model, the RC. But has it hit the target?
In some ways, yes – easily. In others, however, meh. It excels in the livability department, but it falls down where it really shouldn't if it's to be taken seriously: as a driving machine, it's nowhere near the "ultimate" mantle that BMW claims. And that's a darn shame because this is otherwise a very nice set of wheels. more...
Lexus' newest SUV, the NX 200, is sized like the RAV4 but since it's a Lexus it ups the luxury ante substantially over the popular Toyota ute. But that hedonistic turn hasn't turned the NX into a softie; rather, it has even introduced Lexus' first turbocharger to the mix and the result is a really nice vehicle that will probably sell really well.
The NX is available in two models, the turbo gas engine and a gas/electric hybrid that's probably very nice but probably not particularly compelling to drive. Fortunately, Lexus Canada sent the turbo model, in its up market F Sport livery, and I loved it. I didn't expect to, but I did. So I had the NX 200t (the hybrid's the NX 300h), which starts at $40,950, and it very quickly wriggled its way into my heart, becoming my favorite of the current Lexus models I've driven. more...
It began life as a Camry-based entry luxury sedan meant to expand the young Lexus line beyond its game changing flagship LS 400, but some 25 years later it has evolved into an extremely compelling Camry-based entry luxury sedan in its own right.
Not that the original ES 250 was any slouch, but to compare that car with today's ES 350 would be as silly as comparing a, well, 1990 Camry with a 2015 Camry. Cars have evolved and so have the Camry and the ES. Yet while they're both terrific cars that share DNA, you wouldn't think they're connected other than through Lexus being owned by Toyota. The ES feels even more substantial, is definitely more luxurious, and is generally a more refined place to be than the Camry, which undoubtedly is the point.
This isn't meant as a slight on the Camry, which is a fine car. But it's like the difference between a Volkswagen and an Audi; they spawned in the same ocean, but took a decidedly different evolutionary path that leaves them related superficially, but each with its own distinct purpose and personality. more...
Lexus' top-selling vehicle in Canada gets a new trim level name for 2015, one that should help make it an even more compelling vehicle than it is already. And it was a pretty compelling SUV/Crossover to begin with, comfortable and luxurious and with great resale value.
And yet the new SPORTDESIGN version is the base model! It's one of three RX's, the base and hybrid SPORTDESIGN (the latter of which is now called the RX 450h SPORTDESIGN) and the RX 350 F Sport, which is supposed to be the one that's the most fun to drive. I haven't driven that one yet, but if it's like the rest of the F Sport models it likely won't be that much more fun than the base model. And that's a shame because, while Lexi are great cars, they aren't the greatest to drive if you're an enthusiast, even when they're wearing their sportiest clothes. more...
If you're looking for a four door car that gives you the reliability of Toyota's Camry, but ups the luxury quotient substantially, you really should take a look at the Lexus ES.
Available as the enviro-raping ES 350 (reviewed here) or as the enviro-saving ES 300h, the ES a very nice place to conduct the business of both driving and "passenging" and this current generation is the nicest in a line of ES sedans that stretches back to Lexus' genesis (no Hyundai joke intended). The other original model, by the way, is the big LS. more...
Toyota's entry level car is a good little vehicle that's more fun to drive than you might think. Even with an automatic transmission. Lexus', on the other hand, is nice vehicle that could be even nicer if they'd offer a non-hybrid version.
Lexus' current entry level model is the CT 200h, a great little wagon that would go head to head against such worthy entries as the Audi A3 or VW GTI if it weren't saddled with a gutless and funless hybrid power train. As it is, however, it's still a really nice little car, even if it isn't great to drive. more...
It appears that both Toyota's flagship Avalon and Lexus' mid-line GS sedans have entered 2014 mostly the same as when they were introduced barely a year ago. Fortunately, it isn't as if they needed a lot of updating, anyway, because they're both very good vehicles.
Lexus Canada sent the GS 350 AWD with more sporty F Sport package this time, a version of the car that promises an upgraded smile component for driving enthusiasts. It features the same 3.5 liter V6 engine (rated at 306 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque) and the drive mode selector on the center console changes the throttle and transmission characteristics depending on how you want to drive: eco, normal, and sport settings. more...
Automotive technology and fashion never stops moving for long and so it was probably past time for the Lexus IS to go through a Doctor Who-type regeneration.
Not that the previous generation of the IS sedan wasn't a fine car but, other than the introduction of the supposed 3 series beater IS-F, it hadn't been upgraded seriously since its introduction for the 2006 model year. It was aging gracefully, though, so gracefully that when it came time for a regeneration, the meat under the skin wasn't changed too much.
Just like Doctor Who. The famed, half century old British sci-fi series changes lead actors periodically, but the core of the character doesn't change. It's the same Time Lord, just zipping around space-time in a different body with some different personality quirks.
So it is for the IS, mostly. For 2014 the IS sports an all-new and more athletic skin that's not nearly as conservative as the still-quite-fetching last gen. Available in a dizzying 22 different versions, including the F SPORT package of Lexus Canada's sample vehicle, it appears there's an IS for everyone. more...
Lexus RX 450h - not a lot of changes, not a lot needed
The RX has traditionally been Lexus' best selling model and there's good reason for this. After all, SUV/Crossovers are an incredibly popular segment of the market, mainly because they offer wagon/hatchback convenience with a high-mounted view that's a real boon when commuting because they let you see what's going on around you better.
The Lexus does all this well – unless you need a third row of seats – while enveloping you in the lap of luxury and giving you all wheel drive stability. And with this hybrid version, you might be able to save yourself some money on gas (once you've paid the hybrid premium up front) and feel better than your non-hybrid-driving neighbors who continue to ravage Person Nature.
Of course, if you bought it to save the earth, perhaps you should be walking everywhere so as not to risk being perceived as a hypocrite. more...
New Lexus ES 350 the best version yet
It began life as a Camry-based entry level alternative to Lexus' flagship LS 400 sedan, and it has maintained that mien as the line has evolved and expanded over the past couple of decades.
And now, for 2013, the front wheel drive Lexus has been updated and upgraded to be the nicest version of what's traditionally been a very nice (if not particularly exciting) car anyway. And judging from this new model, and the car's sales success over the more than 20 years since it was introduced, this new version should continue to be a sales winner for Toyota's luxury arm. more...
Lexus GS adds some sport to its luxury quotient
It began life as an Italian-designed Japanese luxury sedan and has evolved into an even better, and more interesting – albeit no longer Italian-designed - Japanese luxury sedan.
The Lexus brand, with a few exceptions, has never been as much about the driver as competitors such as BMW and Audi are, but its overall excellence and quality can't be faulted. And this new Lexus GS 350 appears to be part of the company's attempt to add a bit of "soul" to a lineup that has been criticized as a tad sterile for optimal driver involvement. more...
ES 350 a cushy, comfortable cruiser
If you had to sum up the 2012 Lexus ES 350 in one word, "soft" would be a good choice.
If you were to expand that to four words, try "soft, but very nice." That's because this longtime Lexus model – the first of the Camry-based ES sedans came out with Lexus' debut in North America more than 20 years ago – focuses on luxury and comfort, and it accomplishes that mission very well. more...
Entry level Lexus offers luxury, hybrid performance – but not a lot of "Go!"
The "littlest Lexus" returns for 2012 in much the same form as in its 2011 debut, but with some minor upgrades and packages that could make it more compelling for those who like a little "joy" with their luxury.
That's what Lexus says, anyway, with its announcement of an available F-Sport Package for 2012 that includes front and rear performance dampers, distinctive steering wheel, 17 inch alloy wheels, leather seats, spoiler, grille, scuff plates, interior trim and pedals. more...
Lexus CT 200h – the Greener Side of Sport?
Is Lexus' new "Premium Compact Sportback" a luxury car, a sports car, or just a reasonably luxurious hybrid with sporting pretensions?
Well, if you've seen the commercials for the new Lexus CT 200h, you've undoubtedly noticed they refer to this cute little wagon as "the darker side of green," hinting that it's more than just an economical hybrid – that it has some driving soul as well. And why not? A hybrid does not necessarily mean "no fun". The Honda CR-Z is a relative blast to drive, and the Lexus GS 450h is plenty fast and pretty fun to drive, so why can't the new Lexus wagon offer the same experience?
Obviously, there's no reason. The only problem is that Lexus seems to have forgotten that. more...
Lexus IS and GS 350 AWD – a Fine Pair Gets All Wheel Drive
Lexus has squeezed a little more power from the engine this year, raising the IS' pony ante (does that make it a "pony ante" operation?) to 306 horsepower with a peak torque of 277 lb.-ft.. The GS 350 has to make get by with a mere 303 hp/ 274 lb.-ft., which was still V8 territory only a few years ago. And if that isn't enough for you, the offer a V8 version as well: the GS 460, which claims 342 hp @ 6,200 and 339 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm.
Perhaps the biggest technical tweak besides the extra oomph is the addition of the AWD option, which came in very handy during my wintry sojourn with both Lexi. more...
Lexus HS 250h – an Easy to Like Hybrid
Call it an uber-Prius, if you like.
It's the Lexus HS 250h, the luxury car maker's first four cylinder model, and at heart it's a luxury hybrid. It's also a very nice car that would undoubtedly be easy to live with.
And it's so green, regardless of which color you order it in, that it could drive you nuts. Not only is it supposed to sip gas (Lexus claims a mileage rating of 41.3 mpg or 5.7L/100 km, though I never got that), but it's also supposedly equipped with an interior that's nearly one third populated by "sustainable ecological plastics" whatever the heck that's supposed to mean. more...
Chevy Camaro and Lexus HS 250h – Retro Meets 21st Century Green
You might say the duo of the reborn Chevy Camaro muscle car and Lexus' new hybrid luxury sedan are a case of "something old, somethin—g new, something borrowed, and something green."
The something old – the Camaro – is now something new, for better or for worse. The something new – the Lexus HS 250h – is also something green, since it's a hybrid. As for something borrowed, well they both lean on their respective companies' heritage to create new vehicles that will probably do well in their respective niches. more...
Popular Lexus Ute Gets a Brand New Suit
Lexus' most popular model has undergone its first major restyling and reengineering, a process designed to keep it current and competitive.
And it has. While recognizable as an RX, the new RX 350 looks and feels quite a bit different than its predecessor. It's still a fine vehicle, though, and should continue to be a top seller for Toyota's luxury division. more....
Lexus GS 450h Update
One's a great example of the "cute ute" genre, and the other's a luxurious and eco-friendly road rocket.
And while neither the Honda CR-V and Lexus GS 450h features major upgrades for 2009, both of them continue to be excellent vehicles in decidedly different niches. I got to some quality time in each vehicle recently, which reaffirmed that both are my favorites of the vehicles I've driven in their respective "cute ute" and "hybrid" markets. more....
Big Lexus SUV Ups Its Own Ante for 2009
The Lexus LX 570 is the latest iteration of a vehicle that really began life decades ago as the Toyota Land Cruiser wagon – a fine vehicle then and today. The current version features a bigger and more powerful engine, more interior volume, more technology and more luxury appointments than you can shake a stick at.
It's also a huge vehicle that cuts a swath through traffic. This is definitely a "full size" SUV! And there's a lot to like about it. more...
Lexus Unleashes a Beast
It's a lean, mean driving machine, yet it comes from a company whose name is more associated with luxury than sports.
The Lexus IS F (the first in a new line of "F" designated vehicles from Lexus) is a beast from the Far East, a car that combines the marque's acclaimed luxury and attention to detail with the high performance meanness of a true muscle car. The result is a car that'll put a smile on the faces of people who like their car's niceness to tempered with the kind of nastiness that comes only from a high performance car. more....
Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Lexus LX 570 – Awesome, Times Two
They're big, brawny and luxurious – and can go nearly anywhere. But are they any good?
Well of course they are – this is high end stuff!
"They," are the 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo and Lexus LX 570, top of the line SUV's from opposite corners of the world. Both showcase state-of-the-art technology envisioned differently by different companies. more....
Lexus GS 450h – No Slowpoke Hybrid, this!
Love may not be quite as wonderful the second time around. But it's still pretty good!
After my second kick at the Lexus GS 450h hybrid, I wasn't drooling with lust as much as I did after my initial week of test driving it more than a year ago. It’s still a fine car, a wonderfully luxurious four door sedan and probably the fastest hybrid I've driven. But the bar has moved since then and, other than some minor tweaks and extra standard equipment, the GS 450h hasn't.
It's still an excellent performer, though. more....
Lexus LS 460 - A Classy, Capable Cruiser
In 1989, Toyota's new Lexus division set the automotive world on its ear when
it introduced its new high-end luxury sedan, the LS 400. It was a quantum
leap for Japanese manufacturers in which they dared to go head-to-head
with established luxury makers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, etc..
But 18 years is an eternity in the ultra competitive automobile market and
while Lexus has introduced a bevy of beautiful and successful vehicles over
that time, the flagship LS had never received a complete revision. Until
now, of course. more....
Lexus GS 350 - More Oomph a Welcome
Addition
Remember the old Toyota slogan "You asked for it, you got it"? Well,
it still applies – at least as far as Toyota's upscale Lexus division's
mid-range GS sedan is concerned.
When the third-generation debuted for the 2006 model year, the base model
GS 300 came with a 3 L V-6 engine rated at 245 hp and 230 pound feet of torque. This
was the car's weakest link, taking a lot of the "fun to drive" factor
out of the experience. more....
Lexus GS 450h – a Hybrid That'll Amaze You
Talk about a jaw dropper!
The Lexus GS 450h isn’t just a luxurious four door sedan, it's also one of the fastest sedans I've ever driven. And it's a hybrid! Who'd have thunk?
Not that I've driven anywhere near all of the world's great sedans, of course, but I've driven enough to know that what this Lexus hybrid is accomplishes is amazing. It goes like a bat out of heck and, while it doesn't exactly sip gas, it returns surprisingly good fuel economy as well. All while coddling you in the manner expected from a Lexus. more....
Popular Lexus
RX SUV Adds Super New Powers
Maybe they should call it RX Version 4.
Since the introduction of Version 1, the RX 300, a few years
ago, the Lexus luxury SUV has seen its share of upgrading
and refinement. First there was Version 2 (the RX 330) and
its addition of a larger engine along with such nifty features
as a power operated tailgate. Then came Version 3, the hybrid
RX 400h introduced in 2005.
Now Lexus has once again upped the ante with the 2007 RX
350. The new name indicates yet more power, but this V6 engine
isn't just the old one upgraded again: this time it's an
all-new V6 that Lexus says improves fuel economy while upping
the oomph ante.
The new power plant plants 270 horses of power onto the
road @ 6200 rpm and 251 lb-ft of torque @ 4700, which is
more than adequate for this type of vehicle. The double overhead
cam engine uses intelligent variable valve timing to, as
Lexus says, "optimize torque for quick response at all
engine speeds" while improving combustion efficiency.
more...
Lexus Redefines the Meaning of “IS”
I think I may have a new favorite car.
Once in a long while I find a vehicle that almost seems
as if the manufacturer took my measurements and built the
car to fit me specifically. My old 1983 Toyota Supra was
like this, as was my 1972 Datsun 240z. Infiniti’s M35x
comes very close, as does the Acura TSX. They’re cars
I could easily drive the daylights out of for many happy
years, and in the case of the Supra, I did exactly that for
20 years.
Lexus, and to a lesser extent Infiniti, really set the car
world on their ears when they first burst onto the market
about 15 years ago. Since then, the premium Japanese brands
have been serious contenders for the dollars of the reasonably
well heeled.
Over the course of that decade and a half, Lexus has changed
its marketing from relentlessly pursuing perfection to passionately
pursuing perfection. And they continue to make excellent
cars that are often considered to be as perfect as a car
can be.
The latest in their stable are the 2006 GS 300 and GS 430,
the third generation of the sporty sedan that sits below
the LS 430 flagship and above the ES 330 and IS 300 entry
level sedans. Sporty and entry level being relative terms,
of course. more...
Toyota’s 4Runner has been an excellent example of the
mid-sized SUV species for many years, and when the company
unleashed its latest version it saw an opportunity to not
only redesign it but to push it up market as well.
Hence the Lexus GX 470, a luxury SUV based on the popular
4Runner that gives you the formidable capabilities of its
Toyota sibling but with all the coddling and technology you’d
expect from the Lexus name.
My review unit was from the 2004 model year, and coming
as it did just ahead of the 2005 model’s new engine,
it provided a wonderful opportunity to get to know the vehicle,
and then try the supposedly new and improved model for comparison
when it comes by. more...
Coming on May 6, 2005, to a Lexus dealer near you, the world’s
first luxury hybrid SUV.
It’s the 2006 RX 400h, the highest-tech and newest
version of the popular RX 330 (nee RX 300) that has been
selling oodles of copies since its introduction.
Lexus says the new hybrid version of the SUV gives V8 performance
with the fuel economy of a compact car. Those are pretty
impressive claims – almost like proclaiming you’ve
built a perpetual motion machine – and if Lexus can’t
back them up there are sure to be some people looking to
make hay from the fact that the company fell short in its
relentless pursuit of perfection. more...
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