7 Notable Cars
Below are the most notable cars that have had a lasting impact on Lexus ever since their creation and production. These cars were chosen based on their legacy impact, lasting design cues, and their innovation to push Lexus into the future.
Lexus GS300
- Produced: 1997-2005
- Engine: Inline 6 (225 hp), V8 (export only, 300 hp)
- Drivetrain: automatic, RWD
- Curb Weight: 3,703.8 lbs
- Designed by Italidesign
Lexus IS300
- Produced: 2001-2005
- Engine: Inline 6 (217 hp)
- Drivetrain: automatic, manual, RWD. 4WD
- Curb Weight: 3,255 lbs
- The conception of “Altezza taillights” (clear lights)
Lexus LS400
- Produced: 1989-1994
- Engine: V8 (242 hp)
- Drivetrain: Automatic, RWD
- Curb Weight: 3,759 lbs
- Lexus’s first car that became a flagship/competitor with BMW 7 series and Mercedes-Benz S Class
- Had quiet rumble at high RPM’s, which allowed engine to be quiet while idling (hence the famous "house of champagne glasses" commercial), voluntary recall sparked Lexus’s customer service reputation
- Team of 60 designers, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians, 220 support workers, 450 prototypes and $1 billion in costs
Lexus LC500
- Produced: 2017-Present
- Engine: Hybrid V6 (354 hp), V8 (471 hp)
- Drivetrain: Automatic, RWD
- Curb Weight: 4,530 lbs
- The closest car to its concept variant in Toyota/Lexus
Lexus LFA
- Produced: 2010-2012
- Engine: V10 (553 hp)
- Drivetrain: Manual, RWD
- Curb Weight: 3,483 lbs
- Only 500 ever built: one selling for $1 million dollars today
made of 65% carbon fiber while also being made of lightweight materials such as aluminum, titanium, and magnesium
Lexus LX450
- Produced: 1995-1997
- Engine: Inline 6 (215 hp)
- Drivetrain: Automatic, AWD
- Curb Weight: 4,971 lbs
- Lexus's first SUV based on the Toyota Land Cruiser
- Made to compete with Mercedes G-Wagon, sold like hotcakes in the U.S. by soccer moms
Lexus SC 300
- Produced: 1991-2000
- Engine: : Inline 6 (225 hp), V8 (256 hp)
- Drivetrain: Automatic, Manual, RWD
- Curb Weight: 3,505 lbs
- - Shares same Inline 6 engine base (2JZ-GE) as iconic Toyota Supra (Fast n' Furious Series)