Lexus Reviews

Lexus has always been a brand that has shunned the millennial market. But its all-new UX SUV could change all that. Not only will it launch into one of Australia's most popular segments, but it's been designed with the young and young-at-heart in mind. So can this compact crossover get down with the kidz?

The Lexus UX250h is the most expensive (and hybrid-powered) engine option in the UX family, and is available in three trim levels; Sport ($47,950) Sports Luxury ($56,500) and F Sport ($56,950). Those prices are two-wheel-drive cars, though. Opting for AWD increases pricing to $61,000 (F Sport) and $61,450 (Sports Luxury).It’s powered by the same 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine as the Lexus UX200, but paired with a hybrid motor that produces combined outputs of 131kW and 188Nm. It is paired with a CVT automatic transmission which sends its power to the front tyres, or to all four wheels if you opt for an AWD modelThe Luxury trim buys you 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and fog lights, faux-leather seats and trim, a nav-equipped 10.3-inch infotainment screen and an eight-speaker stereo as standard. There is STILL no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, but Lexus promises it will arrive at some point this year. The range then splits in two, with the Sports Luxury on one side and a equally pegged F-Sport on the other, but of what the brand calls its "Y" strategy.The Sports Luxury adds things like 19-inch alloys, acoustic glass and real leather trim on the seats, while The F Sport nabs you a more performance-focused flavour, with adaptive suspension, five drive modes (Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport+, Custom) and a sportier exterior design, albeit with smaller, 18-inch alloys. 

The Lexus LX570 S is no wallflower. You aren't buying one of these V8-powered eight-seat 4WD SUVs with more angles than a geometry class if you just need a car to cart the kids in. But is it any good?

The Lexus IS300 was a nameplate that stood out all those years ago, and then came the era of turbocharging. Lexus didn't think IS200t was a fitting badge - so it renamed the 2.0-litre turbo model.

The Lexus ES300h Luxury is the entry into the ES300h range, with a list price of $59,888.Standard features include a 12.3-inch screen with sat nav and a 10-speaker Pioneer stereo system with digital radio. There’s a head-up display, dual-zone climate control, wireless charging, 10-way power adjustable front seats, privacy rear windows, moonroof, proximity key and LED headlights, too.The Lexus ES is only available with one powertrain option – a petrol-electric hybrid. This combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 131kW and 221Nm with an electric motor that has outputs of 88kW and 202Nm. The 244.8V nickel-metal hydride battery has been moved from under the boot floor in the previous generation car to under the rear seats, so it no longer eats into the cargo space.The ES300h isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so battery recharging is done through regenerative braking.A continuously variable transmission means seamless and smooth low speed driving using just the motor, but under heavy acceleration the engine activates and the you’ll hear that drone associated with CVTs.The Lexus ES300h was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in September 2018. Expect 10 airbags, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control. 

Lexus ES300h Sport Luxury sits at the top of the two-grade ES300h line-up, costing $74,888.Standard features include a 12.3-inch screen, sat nav and a Mark Levinson 17-speaker sound system with digital radio. There’s a head-up display, wireless charging, privacy rear windows, moonroof, proximity key, leather seats, heated and ventilated 12-way power adjustable front seats, heated and power reclining rear seats, three-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, power rear sunshade and manual side rear window shades, gesture open boot and cornering LED headlights, too.The Lexus ES is only available with one powertrain option – a petrol-electric hybrid. This combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine making 131kW and 221Nm with an electric motor that has outputs of 88kW and 202Nm. The 244.8V nickel-metal hydride battery has been moved from under the boot floor in the previous generation car to under the rear seats, so it no longer eats into the cargo space. The ES300h isn’t a plug-in hybrid, so battery recharging is done through regenerative braking.A continuously variable transmission means seamless and smooth low speed driving using just the motor, but under heavy acceleration the engine activates and the you’ll hear that drone associated with CVTs.The Lexus ES300h was awarded the maximum five-star ANCAP rating when it was tested in September 2018. Expect 10 airbags, AEB with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assistance, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot warning and adaptive cruise control.

The Lexus ES300h is more tranquil than a stroll through a Zen garden, but is it really a challenger to Mercedes' E-Class or BMW's 5 Series?

The Lexus RX now comes with a longer seven-seat version, and this is it: the RX 350L. Nedahl Stelio recently conducted her regular week-long family test in the Japanese luxury SUV, and came away very impressed.

In the world of luxury limousines, it's the well-entrenched and much-desired European trio of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi that hold court. It's a brave car maker that tries to muscle in.

If your vehicular predilections tend towards the high end of upper-large SUVS, then the new diesel Lexus LX 450d - with a price-tag tickling $140,000 - might just be your cup of Da Hong Pao* tea. (Apparently the world's most expensive tea)