Lexus Reviews

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the Lexus NX200t with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Later, the Mercedes C-Class was also in Lexus’s sights as Mercedes quietly moved it from the boring sedan into the sporty sedan segment.All Lexus are immaculately finished inside and out in a tradition that has been with the marque since day one in 1989.The quality of materials and workmanship not only makes the car a delight to look at and sit in, but also makes for high level reliability.Interior space is good for a rear-drive car, but the little Lexus has less room than a front-wheel-drive of this size would have.Try the back seat for size if adults will be frequently using it.The quality of materials and workmanship makes the car a delight to look at with high level reliability.In its earlier iterations, it’s possibly best to regard it as being a two-plus-two rather than a four-seater for adults.Later models are better but still nothing special.That’s for the sedans, the IS hardtop convertibles, launched in July 2009, are very tight in the back seat, as is generally the way in this class.The first Lexus IS generation used straight-six engines, for smoothness; and rear-wheel drive for precise handling balance.Later it changed to V6 powerplants to free up space at the front.Power for the IS200 originally came from an engine with a capacity of just 2.0 litres, hence the ‘200’.While many praised the car others said it didn’t have enough grunt to match the chassis so a 3.0-litre IS300 was introduced in 2001.Splitting the difference is the IS 250, (yes, 2.5 litres) which replaced both the 200 and 300 with the introduction of the second generation IS Series in 2005.The third generation Lexus IS retained the 2.5-litre V6 in uprated format and added a 3.5-litre V6, to the lineup.Lexus decided to tackle the German marque’s high-performance divisions with a hot model called Lexus F.Things became interesting in the powerplant field with the introduction of a hybrid powertrain, the Lexus IS300h, in the gen-three car in July 2013.This time around the engine is a four-cylinder petrol 2.5-litre assisted by an electric motor.The ‘300’ indicates the hybrid provides the sort of performance normally requiring a 3.0-litre unit.After years of competing only against the mainstream models of BMW and Merc, Lexus decided to tackle the German marque’s high-performance divisions with a hot model called Lexus F in October 2008.With a 5.0-litre V8 engine and semi-race suspension, steering, brakes and serious aerodynamic enhancements it’s something right out of the ordinary from a Lexus point of view; deliberately so, the Japanese marque really wants to make a statement.Note that the Lexus F shouldn't be confused with the Lexus F Sport, which is a far tamer model, sold from 2010, with the same engine output standard IS 250 or IS 350 on which it is based, but with uprated suspension, steering and brakes, as well as a sportier look in body details.Spare parts and servicing are reasonably priced for a car in this class.Lexus dealers are fairly limited in number, particularly in rural areas, though that situation has changed in recent years as major country cities are now being serviced.Some senior Toyota technicians are trained in most aspects of the car. Toyota is, of course, the parent company of Lexus.Insurance is generally moderate in price for a car in this price and social class and we haven't noticed any worthwhile variation between the major companies in normal premiums.Look for damage to the bodywork and the interior trim and remember the car should be close to immaculate in all areas.If not it may have been mistreated by an uncaring owner.During your test drive check for anything out of the ordinary in the way the car drives, sounds and feels.Look over the complete vehicle, preferably with the owner’s handbook in front of you, these are complex cars.At the very least, test each of the functions on the stereo, climate-control, windows and door locking.Make sure the engine starts virtually instantaneously, idles so smoothly that you can barely feel it and doesn't hesitate when accelerated.The automatic transmission should operate almost imperceptibly and not hold onto any gears unnecessarily.A manual gearbox should be smooth and light not baulk on any changes, no matter how fast you make them.Unless you’re very confident in your technical ability it’s silly not to call for a professional inspection.Don’t rush into specific details of a car when checking it out - rather do an overall walk around to get a big-picture of its condition.

Richard Blackburn road tests and reviews the 2015 Lexus RC 350 Luxury.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2015 Lexus NX200t.

Richard Blackburn road tests and reviews the 2015 Lexus RC F.

The Lexus NX 300h hybrid is more of a city gent than a country squire.

Joshua Dowling road tests and reviews the Lexus NX200t with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Lexus is particularly active in Australia at the moment as it continues to push its way into competition with Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz.The assault on the big name Europeans began many years ago with the flagship LS400 saloon. That was followed by the smaller, and significantly less expensive ES300. The latest in the ES line, the new ES350 is the subject of our review this week.Lexus ES350 has the now familiar spindle grille, a bold shape that's unmistakable thanks to its sheer size. Flanking this grille are halogen projector-style headlamps incorporating L-shaped LED daytime running lights. (The L-shape represents L for Lexus, though you do have to use a bit of imagination to see this.) LEDs are also used in the rear lights.The new ES series is referred to as a four-door sedan but has a sleek shape that almost puts it into the four-door-coupe class.The shape isn't just about style, the co-efficient of drag of drag (Cd) is an impressively good 0.27.Sports Luxury occupants can settle into ventilated front seats, with ten-way power adjustment. Climate control is spread over three zones. The rear seats are heated. Unwanted glare and heat can be warded off by rear side sunshades.We loved the dashboard styling with its wide tapered ends.This is almost a full five-seater, there's no skimping on seating space, with even the centre spot in the back being reasonably wide and comfortable.The first impression in settling into the new Lexus ES is qualityThere's Bluetooth telephone and audio streaming and digital radio.A Mark Levinson audio system has been designed specifically for Lexus. It powers no fewer than 15 speakers and sounds brilliant no matter what your choice of entertainment.Thankfully the Lexus remote Touch Controller has been modified since we first tested it. The first system had a control switch that behaved almost like a joystick and moved so freely it made the cursor shoot all over the screen. Now, more resistance has been designed in to the stick and it's much easier to use. Though we have to say we do prefer just about everyone else's controllers.The Lexus ES350 is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine producing maximum power of 204kW and peak torque of 346Nm. A six-speed automatic transmission drives the ES through the front wheels.The driver's mood lets them select from the Lexus Drive Mode system. Controlled through a knob on the centre console it offers Normal, Sport or Eco vehicle performance.Standard safety features in all Lexus ES variants include 10 airbags; ABS brakes; stability and traction control; pedestrian protection system; tyre pressure warning; blind spot monitor; hill-start assist; and reversing camera and parking sensors.Active safety in the Sports Luxury uses a pre-collision system that beeps and flashes if it senses a crash appears imminent. Emergency braking is also applied.Active cruise control keeps the ES Sports Luxury at a given time (not distance) from a vehicle in front.The first impression in settling into the new Lexus ES is quality. The front seats are spacious, and are supportive without being overly soft. There's good rear legroom and headroom back there is fine for anyone under about 1.9 metres.Comfort is high on the list and the mid-size Lexus has the ability to iron out almost all that Australian roads toss under it. It's perhaps not quite in the Commodore and Falcon class in the bush, but doesn't miss by much.Aimed squarely at those who want luxurious cruising and commuting rather than driving excitementIn what has always been the Lexus way, the ES series is near silent in its running with the engine being well damped and the thick glass and multi-insulation body areas keeping NVH well outside.Lexus ES has few sporting pretensions and is aimed squarely at those who want luxurious cruising and commuting rather than driving excitement. Steering is too light for our tastes but the car does react fast enough to please even keen drivers. Handling is competent and there's always the feeling the car, assisted by electronic aids if you push too hard, will be mindful of your safety.The 3.5-litre V6 is smooth, quiet and responsive. While peak torque doesn't come in till 4700 rpm to suit the sensible speed limits on European motorways, there's decent pulling power from about 2000 upwards. The six-speed auto communicates nicely with the engine and promptly drops a gear of two to give you added torque for safe overtaking.Expect to use about 10.0-12.0L/100km during the daily commute grind, dropping to 7.0-9.0L/100km on open country roads and motorways.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the Lexus NX 300h F Sport on a Queensland road trip.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the Lexus MX300h F Sport with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.