Lexus to Introduce New Coupe Model?

According to a CarAdvice interview with the president of Lexus International, Kiyotaka Ise, the LF-CC concept that debuted last week at the Paris Motor Show may be a preview of the next-generation IS and a brand new separate coupe model.
Kevin · October 2nd, 2012

Lexus GS Challenges BMW 535i & Mercedes E350 Sport

To prove how much the new GS has improved, and show how it stacks up to the competition, Lexus invited Automobile Magazine & Motor Trend to do some independent testing of the GS 350 F Sport against the BMW 535i and Mercedes E350 Sport.
Kevin · February 21st, 2012

Winding Road Reviews the 2013 Lexus GS

Winding Road has published their review of the 2013 Lexus GS, and while the entire thing is worth reading, I wanted to highlight their observations on how the GS compares to the BMW 535i and Mercedes E350 Sport.
Kevin · December 6th, 2011

Possible Partnership with BMW?

News has emerged of a potential partnership between BMW and Toyota (and by extension, Lexus), with BMW supplying diesel engines in return for access to Toyota’s hybrid technology.
Kevin · November 29th, 2011

Lexus CT 200h Leads Luxury Compact Sales in USA

AutoGuide has run the Lexus CT 200h sales numbers, and despite its late March launch and earthquake-delayed inventory, the hybrid hatchback sits as the top-selling compact luxury car in the USA.
Kevin · August 31st, 2011

Lexus Europe 2011 Sales Update

Good news out of Europe -- over the first six months of 2011, Lexus has increased sales 42% due to strong interest in the CT 200h.
Kevin · July 21st, 2011

Looking at Lexus Sales in Japan

While there's no question that the Tōhoku earthquake has affected Lexus production, Bloomberg has used some sleight-of-hand reporting in their recent article about the brand's Japanese sales, making it appear much worse than it really is.
Kevin · June 8th, 2011

2011 Lexus IS F Competes in Car & Driver’s Lightning Lap

The 2011 Lexus IS F took part in Car & Driver’s annual Lightning Lap at the Virginia International Raceway, and found that the freshly revised sedan has really stepped up its game: Three years back, an IS F turned a less-than-impressive 3:14.0. We said then, “A little attention to springs and damping might make this …

Read more…

Kevin · January 2nd, 2011

Lexus RX Commercial: Photocopier

The Lexus RX goes on the offensive in this new commercial: Bringing competitors into the mix is something that we saw last month in the IS & ES commercials, and it signals a new, more aggressive direction in Lexus advertising. Cool concept, too.
Kevin · November 8th, 2010

Lexus Not Planning to Compete with BMW 5-Series GT

Thankfully, Lexus will not be “answering the question that nobody asked”—according to Edmunds’ Auto Observer, the company has no plans to compete with the BMW 5-series GT: Despite readying the launch of the CT 200h, an all-new compact hybrid that also happens to be a hatchback, the brand that has most directly challenged the traditional …

Read more…

Kevin · April 14th, 2010

Lexus Ranks First in Quarterly U.S. Luxury Sales

With the inclusion of March’s sales numbers, Lexus has finished first in the U.S. luxury automotive sales race for the first quarter of 2010.  It’s been a tight race from January through March, with Mercedes-Benz taking the lead in January. As noted by Bloomberg, Lexus’ 42% sales increase in March to 20,219 vehicles sold for …

Read more…

Kevin · April 8th, 2010

Lexus #1 Luxury Car Brand in USA for 10th Consecutive Year

All 2009 US car sales have been reported, and Lexus has secured the top spot among its competitors as the #1 luxury car brand in the USA for the 10th consecutive year, with 215,975 vehicles sold. The closest rival was BMW, who had pulled ahead of Lexus earlier in July but fell behind after a …

Read more…

Kevin · January 6th, 2010

Edmunds Track-Test: Lexus LS 460 Sport vs. BMW 750i Sport

Edmund’s Inside Line has pitted the new Lexus LS Sport package against the BMW 750i Sport in a performance track test, and in the process, somehow managed to add a full second to the LS 460’s official 0-60 time. According to the Edmunds numbers, the LS 460 Sport hits 0-60 mph in 6.4 seconds compared …

Read more…

Kevin · December 9th, 2009

Auto Express Comparison: Lexus RX 450h vs. BMW X5 30d

Auto Express compared the 2010 Lexus RX 450h to the BMW X5 30d SE to see which SUV is the better buy: …which car more successfully mixes eco-friendly credentials with rugged versatility and luxury? There’s no denying the X5 still rules the roost for image and driving dynamics. Plus, the big boot and seven-seat potential …

Read more…

Kevin · November 5th, 2009

Popular Mechanics Compares the 2010 Lexus HS 250h vs. BMW 335d

Popular Mechanics has posted a rather awkward fuel economy comparison between the hybrid Lexus HS 250h and diesel BMW 335d—what starts off as a fuel economy showdown ends up being a driving contest that’s over before it even begins: Our drive took up through the Santa Monica Mountains high above Malibu to test the handling …

Read more…

Kevin · September 4th, 2009

Video: Lexus IS-F vs Last-Generation BMW M3 (among others)

If you remember the Lexus IS-F vs Audi RS4 video that was posted online last week, this new video is from the same people, and it’s similar in results and sketchiness: Watching the IS-F demolish a host of older cars doesn’t really do much for me, and I don’t think there was a single fair …

Read more…

Kevin · March 24th, 2008

Motor Trend Comparison: Lexus IS-F vs. BMW M3 vs. Mercedes C63

The Lexus IS-F comparison tests keep pouring in, this time from Motor Trend, who pits the new super-sedan against its primary competitors, the BMW M3 and the Mercedes C63. Here’s some selected highlights: Steering feedback and response are everything in a car like this…The C63’s turn-in is crisp, with plenty of honest feedback and a …

Read more…

Kevin · March 14th, 2008

More on Best Motoring’s Lexus IS-F/BMW M3 Comparison

Turns out there was more than one part to the Best Motoring comparison that I posted about a couple days ago. Get comfortable and and take a look at this 20 minute video (for quickness’ sake, the two main competitors as I see them, the BMW M3 and the IS-F, are at 1:25 and 13:36 …

Read more…

Kevin · March 13th, 2008

Fifth Gear’s Tom Ford on the Lexus IS-F

From one Fifth Gear presenter to the next, this time we have Tom Ford raving about the Lexus IS-F, by way of Top Gear Magazine: The Merc C63 is properly mental. The RS4 (I know it’s out of production), is a brilliant, brilliant thing. The BMW M3 brings together so much tech and knowledge that …

Read more…

Kevin · March 5th, 2008

Car Magazine Reviews the Lexus IS-F

Car Magazine has posted their review of the IS-F, and it turns out to be a remarkably positive affair, with a very small dose of complaints and a full course of compliments: The F also rides with a fluency and poise that will leave most M3 and C63 drivers green with envy. There are no …

Read more…

Kevin · February 12th, 2008

Lexus RAV4 on the way?

According to the Automotive News, Lexus’ on-again/off-again infatuation with a RAV4-based X3 competitor has swung to the positive side, this time with some actual verification from Jim Lentz: Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. president, says a small Lexus SUV could be a response to the “urbanization” of Gen Y buyers and empty-nest boomers. Toyota’s …

Read more…

Kevin · February 4th, 2008

Lexus LX 570 Debuts in China for $179,000 USD

The Lexus LX 570 went on sale today in China today, retailing with the rather extraordinary price tag of 1.3 million yuan, which translates to $179,000 USD, or roughly 242.5% higher than the USA’s retail price of $73,800. Frankly, an increase of over $100,000 is astounding, yet it’s hardly out of place when looking at …

Read more…

Kevin · January 10th, 2008

Lexus Considering India Launch

Lexus, along with Alfa Romeo and Hummer, are looking at India as a potential new market, according to The India Times: Japanese car maker, Toyota does not rule out the possibility of launching its high end Lexus brand. Although the volumes will be low, even at that price point we will require a dedicated dealer …

Read more…

Kevin · December 6th, 2007

1989 Lexus LS 400 Featured in Old Top Gear Episode

It’s hard to discount the power of Youtube when you can watch a 1989 episode of Top Gear detailing the introduction of the then-newly released Lexus LS 400 (jump ahead to 1:26 to get there directly): Not a full-on review, which is a slight disappointment, but the praise is astounding, let me quote presenter Tiff …

Read more…

Kevin · November 30th, 2007

Lexus Europe Hopes to Triple Sales by 2010

According to Karl Schlicht, Head of Lexus Europe, Lexus is experiencing great success in Russia and hopes to increase their European sales three-fold by 2010: “If things continue as they are, by 2010 we will have doubled our Russian sales volume, which is currently at 17,000,” said Karl Schlicht, chief for Europe for the brand …

Read more…

Kevin · November 21st, 2007

The Hyundai Genesis Crosses the Line

A slew of Hyundai Genesis spy shots have surfaced, and it’s guaranteed that Lexus and BMW are none too happy with the car’s appearance: No matter the argument that all cars are derivative of each other, this is going over the line. The front-end is clearly inspired by the Lexus LS, but what’s much, much …

Read more…

Kevin · November 19th, 2007

Video Comparison of the Lexus IS-F, BMW M3 & Audi RS4

Coming from an automotive marketing company that counts Lexus as a client, this AMCI video comparing the IS-F with the BMW M3 and Audi RS4 does seem more than a little bias, but that doesn’t stop it from being a great watch: To be fair, test driver Dave Sherman doesn’t proclaim the IS-F the king, …

Read more…

Kevin · November 9th, 2007

Edmunds Sport Sedan Comparison Test

Edmunds has posted up a comparison test of 2007-2008 sports sedans, pitting the 2007 Lexus IS 350 and Infiniti G35 Sport against 2008 models of the Cadillac CTS, Mercedes C350 Sport and BMW 335i. How did Lexus fare? Fourth place: Not one editor who scored this test was able to find the kind of personal …

Read more…

Kevin · November 5th, 2007

Autoweek Reviews the 2008 Lexus IS-F

The Lexus IS-F reviews keep on coming, this time from the folks over at Autoweek. As with most of the reviews so far, there was considerable praise for both the transmission and the on-track performance, but deviated from the consensus in regards to the ride quality: Coming over the terrifying crest under the bridge at …

Read more…

Kevin · October 29th, 2007

The Official Lexus IS-F Numbers

It’s official, the Lexus IS-F was announced in Japan today at the Fuji Speedway, here are the details: The V8 5-litre engine will have 417hp and produce 373 ft-lb of torque. The Is-F will be available in Japan on December 25th, and will retail for ¥7,660,000 ($65,742 USD). The Japanese version will be limited to …

Read more…

Kevin · October 4th, 2007

Comparison: Lexus LS 600h vs. Mercedes S420 CDI vs. BMW 745d

I would have thought that Auto Motor Und Sport’s comparison test of the Lexus LS 460 vs. Volkswagen Phaeton would be hard to beat in terms of bias, but they’ve outdone themselves, their comparison of the Lexus LS 600h vs. BMW 745d vs. Mercedes S420 CDI is a absolute gem. Posted on Autospies, the bulk …

Read more…

Kevin · October 3rd, 2007

How Much Horsepower will the Lexus IS-F Have?

There’s a survey over at Autospies right now asking: How much horsepower with the new IS-F debut with? As of this writing, the leading guess is 440bhp to 450bhp with 23% of the votes, but what I found more interesting than the survey is the write up that accompanies it: A few months ago Car …

Read more…

Kevin · July 16th, 2007

Comparison: Lexus IS 350 vs. BMW 330i

It’s now almost two years old, but I’ve seen few comparisons as detailed as Autoweb’s head-to-head showdown between the 2006 BMW 330i and the 2006 Lexus IS 350. No stone is left unturned as they pit the two cars against each other, comparing them in convenience, design, comfort, and driving. The results couldn’t be considered …

Read more…

Kevin · June 10th, 2007

Comparison: 2007 Lexus IS350 vs. 2007 BMW 335i

Edmunds has published a head-to-head battle of the 2007 IS350 vs. the BMW 335i, and while the results are fairly predictable (Shock! The 3-series wins again), a point must be made that the test itself was skewed in favor of Bavaria. With performance being the main point of the comparison, the 335i was equipped with …

Read more…

Kevin · May 31st, 2007

Fifth Gear Review of the IS220d

Another week, another Fifth Gear  Lexus review posted on YouTube. This time up, it’s the Lexus IS220d, from an episode aired in 2005: There’s a few things that stand out in this review, when Tom Ford compares it to the BMW 320d: “Do you want to be able to say, ‘My car’s faster than your …

Read more…

Kevin · May 30th, 2007