Lexus Reviews

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the 2014 Lexus NX300h.

The most noticeable feature of the Lexus LS series models is their near-silence and comfort. Features that put them very much in the upmarket limousine class. First rate materials are used throughout and these are assembled with meticulous care. Though aimed very much at the Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8, the top-line Lexus hasn't quite managed to reach their high status in the image stakes despite 25 years on the market. But they're reasonably close and will obviously keep trying to improve.Lexus tells us 'LS' stands for Luxury Sports, however to our eyes there's a lot more luxury than sport. Handling is safe and secure but doesn't have quite the sporting sparkle you get in the big Germans.The LS400 was discontinued late in 2000, to be replaced by a near-new design in the LS430. April 2007 saw the introduction of an all-new LS, the 460. The numbers in the title refers to the capacity of the V8 engine in decilitres.Interior space was good in the original 1990 LS400, but was noticeably improved in November 1994 when the initial model received a solid revamp. Given that Lexus had learned a lot in the early production years, cars from this model are probably the ones to aspire to. There was a facelift in November 1997.September 2003 saw a revised and upgraded version of the Lexus LS430. It has features such as doors that pull themselves closed, and door mirrors that automatically fold when you switch the ignition off. There's front-mounted radar to keep an electronic eye on the vehicle ahead when you are using the cruise control. If heavy braking is required the Lexus sounds a gong to grab your attention.This was one of the early adopters of a reversing camera. And the electric motor that automatically powers down the sunscreen in the rear window when you engage reverse gear.Lexus LS400 is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 engine that is incredibly smooth. It was uprated several times during its life before being replaced by a revised 4.3-litre unit late in 2000. The LS460 engine was virtually all-new.Of particular interest is the hybrid Lexus LS600hL, introduced in November 2007. Just to confuse matters, the '600' doesn't mean there's a 6.0-litre engine under the bonnet, but that Lexus considers its new hybrid has the sort of performance that would normally require a 6.0-litre engine. The 'L' in the title announces this is a limousine, with a longer wheelbase than the standard Lexus LS460 on which it's based.Most LS600hL models were imported with an upper-luxury layout featuring just two business-class seats in the rear. A timber-trimmed console between the two seats contains controls for the Mark Levinson audio system as well as the inbuilt DVD player, climate control, rear window shades and other functions.Dealerships that specialise in the Lexus marque are relatively scarce and tend to be confined to capital cities and major country centres. The far-flung Toyota network can assist Lexus owners as some mechanics are specifically trained on it.Insurance isn't likely to be overly expensive in comparison with the high price of the car.Many used cars are bought from a Lexus dealership and have been serviced by that, or another, dealer. These tend to be more expensive, but smart buyers consider it a good move.All new Lexus models come with an impressive Encore lifestyle package that includes complimentary service pick up and delivery of the car, roadside assistance, a priority ticketing service at leading cultural centres, golf days and a luxury travel service. Buyers of used vehicles up to five years old and bought from a Lexus dealer receive the same benefits. The offerings may change from time to time so contact your local Lexus dealer for the latest info.WHAT TO LOOK FORIt's smart to have a Lexus inspected by either by a motoring association or a specialist in the marque. In the absence of a Lexus technician, some senior Toyota mechanics are trained on the car.Check for damage to the bodywork and the interior trim and remember the car should be close to immaculate in all areas unless it is one of the oldest models. Even then, we would expect the car to be in very good condition inside.Look over the complete vehicle, testing each of the functions using the owner's manual to work out exactly how everything should operate.Make sure the engine starts virtually immediately and accelerates without hesitation even when it is cold. Look for a puff of oily smoke from the exhaust when you accelerate hard after the engine has been running on a light load, or idling, for a while.Some early Lexus LS400 cars, built before August 1992, had an oil leak at the rear of the engine. The chances are that most, if not all, engines will have been repaired years ago. Check with Lexus if there's any doubt.Make sure the automatic transmission operates almost imperceptibly. A slight thud during a change during very hard acceleration is acceptable, anything else may indicate a problem.During an extended road test make sure the brakes stop the car in a straight line without too much pedal effort, and that the steering is precise, smooth and reasonably light.CAR BUYING TIPUpmarket cars with full service records for their entire lives are likely to cost more, but are almost invariably worth the extra investment.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the Lexus RC 350 with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the Lexus RC 350 at its Australian launch.

Stuart Martin road tests and reviews Lexus NX300h with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Ewan Kennedy road tests and reviews the 2014 Lexus NX300h with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Mr Zo is interested in buying a used Lexus ISF, but because they are quite expensive he wants to be careful and know what he's getting into. He wants to know about common problems, servicing expenses, and the cost of parts etc. NEWThe F is to the IS what the M3 is to the BMW 3-Series. It's the seriously quick model that gives a tinge of credibility to the rest of the range.Since beginning with a single luxury model in the 1990s Lexus has grown into the fully-fledged prestige marque that holds its own with the acknowledged prestige brands from Europe.Like the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class the IS gives the masses the opportunity to participate in the dream, or at least aspire to be part of it.Much of the development of the IS was done on racetracks around the world. Indeed the F is said to stand for Fuji, the Japanese track where much of it was carried out. The result is a car with real sports credentials.One look at the compact sedan tells you it's conceived for speed, with a wide airdam, sweeping lines, and bulging wheel arches full of massive alloy wheels, low profile rubber and huge brakes.The sporting feel carries through to the stylish cabin with its real sports seats, carbon-fibre accents, leather trim and F badges.But it not only looks the part, it has the performance to back it up.Lift the bonnet and you discover the dual-injected double-overhead camshaft 5.0-litre V8 that delivers the punch. It's related to the V8 in the LS luxury saloon, but has been enlarged and enhanced with unique heads, conrods, pistons, intake and exhaust. With all that working in unison the result is 311kW at 6600 rpm and 505Nm at 5200 rpm.A new 8-speed auto transmission processes the engine's output and sends it back to the rear wheels. It features paddles on the steering wheel to change gears and boasts quick-fire shifting.In addition to the normal driving modes there's the F sports mode, which locks the torque convertor in second to eighth gears and changes the throttle characteristics, steering assistance and chassis settings.The IS F brought a new feeling of freedom to the otherwise staid Lexus brand, one with an impressive performance edge heralded by a throaty roar. NOWLexus has a well-earned reputation for the quality of its build, which is a great start to a long and reliable life of driving.There is the odd report of a problem with the IS F, but there are no serious problems we can report.If pressed some owners complain about the firm ride, but that comes with the territory, the F is a performance car and the suspension settings reflect that.For anyone contemplating buying one it's important that they carry out a test drive to thoroughly familiarise themselves with all aspects of the car and reassure themselves they can live with it.The one issue that does often crop is the life of the brakes. Again that is one of the things that can affect a performance car, and it seems that it does with the IS F. Most owners accept that it's a part of the ownership experience. When conducting a pre-purchase test-drive listen for squeaking rear brakes, it's a sign the brakes will soon need replacing.Like all cars servicing is crucial to maintaining reliability, and regular oil and filter changes are necessary to help keep the engine firing in fine fettle.Check the service book to make sure your potential purchase has been serviced as per the Lexus recommendation.There was a recall in October 2014 to rectify an issue with the gasket between the fuel pressure sensor and fuel delivery pipe that could result in a fuel leak with the possibility of a fire.

Derek Ogden road tests and reviews the 2014 Lexus CT200h Sports Luxury with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

The Lexus GS300h has attracted a steady stream of happy passengers during its time in our hands. Provided those passengers aren't perched on the middle seat in the back, not a single person has had anything negative to say about the GS experience.From the driver's point of view, the GS is a quiet, easy car. Until recently, it had spent its time almost exclusively pounding the streets of Sydney. Now a family event called us north for a quick overnight trip and a chance to test the big hybrid on the open road.As part of the experiment, we filled the tank and set off north. As expected, Sydney's traffic was horrendous on Sunday morning as public transport and road authorities' continuing policy failures and bizarre maintenance decisions turn the roads into a series of funnels.Immediately the passengers began to review the car. The first consensus reached was how smooth the 300h is - with its electric motor moving us along with that distant whine, there's no shunting or gaps in the pick-up. It's no rocket, but adequate in the real-world rather than Rolls-Royce sense.Once we finally escaped the dreariness of a wet Sydney Sunday, we hit the Pacific Highway, set the cruise control and headed for Port Macquarie. Despite the lashing rain and the appalling road surface, the car was completely unruffled.Loaded with people and stuff, the Lexus shrugged off the first chunk of the journey to Newcastle - where grumbling passengers were forced out of the lap of luxury and to a cafe with decent coffee rather than the suggested fast-food option.The rear seat passengers remarked on the effortless comfort in the rear - the seats front and back are well-shaped and unashamedly biased towards comfort. The way they hold your body feels deliberate and meant for long trips. No aches, pains or groans, no matter how advanced the age of the occupant.The second leg proved equally easy. Keeping an eye on the fuel gauge, the almost two tonne luxury sedan was averaging just 5.1 litres per 100km out on the open road. What's more, our crawling around Newcastle had largely been in electric mode, meaning just a small increase as we negotiated the city's streets.We'd covered well over 900km and, crucially, hadn't been anywhere near a petrol station.The first of two of the car's few faults became obvious on the northbound leg. It's not a fault in the traditional sense, but the F Sports fat tyres found a surface on the Pacific that created a tremendously irritating din. While that's not wholly the car's fault - the road surface is largely to blame - the fact that the racket slipped through the NVH defences is telling.The second came to the fore when looking for the evening's lodgings. The passengers had organised their own and mine were in town. I punched in the address on the sat-nav and it took me somewhere completely wrong. Over the next twenty four hours the sat-nav twice misled us, leaving us no alternative but to rely on the none-too-brilliant Apple Maps for directions.In big cities the sat-nav is fine, but outside them, forget it. The input method is also mildly puzzling but newer Lexuses are fixing that and one expects the GS's will be next in line.Family event complete, we turned around and headed back south to Sydney. Pounding down the Pacific and straight into yet more torrential rain, the GS again proved itself to be the least fatiguing mode of transport imaginable.Apart from that same stretch of road, the noise dimmed by all that water, conversation was easy at the legal limit, from any seat in the house.By the time the journey was over, we'd covered well over 900km and, crucially, hadn't been anywhere near a petrol station. That's brilliant going for a big heavy car like this one, diesel or petrol.The combination of CVT and 2.5 litre petrol engine coupled with electric locomotion may not be the fastest package on the road - far from it - but it's an able cruiser with enough grunt to safely overtake without causing sweaty palms.

Peter Anderson road tests and reviews the 2014 Lexus IS F, with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.