Lexus

Lexus is the luxury division of the Japanese automotive manufacturer Toyota.

The Lexus brand was launched in 1989, is marketed in more than 70 countries worldwide, and has become Japan’s largest-selling make of premium cars.

How popular is Lexus in the United Kingdom?

For such a high-flying global leader, Lexus has a seemingly modest 156k cars on the road in the UK today.

Luxury executive vehicles for the discerning driver

In the UK, the Lexus brand focuses heavily on the NX and RX SUV models, it’s the fastest growing market for family cars after all; but each of the hatchbacks, saloons and coupés in its range come with the same high-level of luxury and sophistication for their £25–£76k price tags.

Lexus design and technology

Lexus was born to present itself as a luxury brand, something Toyota wasn’t in a position to market to their typical customer given their existing brand perception. To achieve a true luxury standard, they have targeted both vehicle development as well as their lavish presentation.

‘Lexus Musts’

Each vehicle has to achieve 500 specific must have standards known as ‘Lexus Musts’, all of which are to attain the high-end presentation and performance of a ‘true’ luxury marque.

Although they might not all be ‘Lexus Musts’ you can expect to find criteria such as leather seat stitching, smart key entry, remote touch control systems, surround sound and reduced cabin noise that utilises acoustic glass, in your Lexus vehicle. And the driving technology is just as impressive: Lexus introduced continuously variable transmissions, regenerative brakes, hybrid and electric fuel options, as well as vehicle stability and integrated dynamic handling management systems.

Lexus’ reliability and reputation

Lexus ranked 2nd place out of 30 car brands in the What Car? Reliability Survey in 2018. Their high standards and typical Japanese reliability set them above every marque except Suzuki, and they only missed out on the top spot by 0.2%.

Recent Lexus recalls and reliability issues

Various recalls have been made on Lexus models throughout their motoring history. The following are a list of the most recent in the UK and Europe.

04/05/2019 – Lexus ES and Lexus UX (2018–2019)

The emergency calling system may not be correctly installed

18/03/2019 – Lexus LS 500h (2017–2018)

Due to an incorrect tyre to the wheel assembly process, the sidewall reinforcement layer may become damaged

23/11/2018 – Lexus SC 430 (2001–2006)

The ammonium nitrate propellant used in the airbag inflator may degrade over time due to heat cycles

02/11/2018 – Lexus IS350, Lexus GS450h and Lexus GS350 (2005–2014)

A crack in the fuel pulsation damper may lead to a fuel leak

21/09/2018 – Lexus LC500h (2016–2018)

The vehicles’ electronic control unit has been improperly programmed

04/03/2018 – Lexus RCF (2014–2017)

The pulsation damper in one of the high-pressure fuel pumps could be defective

18/02/2018 – Lexus RX450h and Lexus NX300h (2015)

There could be a fault with the pressure sensors for the airbag system

03/02/2018 – Lexus CT200h (2016–2017)

The tank may develop a leak as a result of defective welding

All recall information sourced from gov.co.uk data.