Category: Lexus

Congratulations to 2009 Lexus ES, winning 2009 AutoPacific Ideal Vehicle Award in the Luxury Mid-Size Car segment.

The idea of the small supersedan is nothing new, but as of late we’ve been seeing lots of contenders throwing their hats into the ring. It is generally accepted that BMW started it all with the M3 back in the 1980s, quickly followed by the Mercedes-Benz with the 190E 2.3-16. Audi played too with its own unique twist in the form of the AWD rally-inspired S2 (or, some might argue, some of the hotter Ur-Quattro models that preceded it). For quite some time, this space was the domain of the Germans, and each successive generation of Teutonic supersedan kept getting faster, better handling, and more desirable.

Lexus ES takes top honors in the Luxury Mid-Size Car segment in AutoPacific's annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

Lexus ES takes top honors in the Luxury Mid-Size Car segment in AutoPacific's annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

We all know Lexus products as being paragons of quality and refinement, but many younger enthusiast drivers have long passed over the brand in favor of established performance names like BMW and Audi. No surprise there; Lexus products tend to be amazingly refined and quiet, providing a driving experience akin to manning a hyperbaric chamber. Given Lexus’ 20 past years of wresting away market share from the Germans and the fact that they’ve been the best-selling luxury brand in the US for years, we’d have to say they’ve got the American luxury buyer licked. The majority of American luxury buyers really do want to waft along in utter silence, and no one does that better than Lexus.
The coveted entry luxury buyer (who represents a long-term opportunity to retain and move up through the brand), however, is younger and [...]

The March 23 Los Angeles Times editorial 'You can depend on Detroit" hits the mark; today's auto industry is a tremendously competitive place. Consumers can now choose cars and trucks from domestic (Detroit) automakers that match the quality and reliability of vehicles from Japanese or European makers. So why won't Americans buy American cars?

AutoPacific: Owners made the Lexus LS the winner of the 2008 Motorist Choice Award® for premium luxury car by providing the LS with top ratings where it counts: Power, braking, handling and being fun to drive. Owners also applauded the ease of getting in and out of the LS, as well as its exterior styling.
IntelliChoice: While the Lexus LS was not the best in either ownership costs or the AutoPacific survey, it took second place in both. The LS has excellent retained value and repair costs.

AutoPacific: Even though the number of competitors in the crossover SUV segment keeps going up, one of the category’s pioneers won the 2008 Motorist Choice Award®. Lexus RX owners claimed victory with high ratings for ingress/egress and reliability. RX also tops the charts in vehicle reputation and overall satisfaction.
IntelliChoice: The Lexus RX was a 2008 BOVY Winner and a 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Award winner. The Lexus RX has best-in-class retained value and much better than expected insurance costs.

AutoPacific: Owners are more comfortable in the driver’s seat of a Lexus ES than in any other vehicle in the segment. This – in addition to highly rated instrumentation, controls and ride – earned ES a 2008 Motorist Choice Award®. Also adding to the victory were high marks for ride and innovative technology and overall experience.
IntelliChoice: The Lexus ES was a 2008 BOVY Winner, a 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Award winner, and it has best-in-class ownership costs. In addition, the Lexus ES has the best-in-class retained value, repairs and insurance costs.

AutoPacific: Call it ‘entry-level luxury’, ‘compact executive’, or ‘aspirational luxury,’ but owners are simply calling it a winner. They rate Lexus’ brand reputation and Lexus dealerships as significant contributors toward the brand’s 2008 Motorist Choice Award® win. With segment-leading overall satisfaction, the Lexus IS scored extremely well with owners in durability, reliability and overall quality. Owners also gave the IS high marks for quality materials, instrumentation, controls and comfy seats.
IntelliChoice: The Lexus IS has the Best in Class ownership costs, best retained value and strong fuel and repair costs.