Recently in Lexus Category

A review of the Lexus CT200h SE-I Hybrid has been posted over at the Sunday Mercury. 'Looks-wise the CT200h is probably not in Kylies league but its no SuBo either! In typical Lexus fashion it is not overtly sporty but the broad low stance, prominent waistline, alloys are still enough to give it a masculine look. Build quality inside and out is impressive, though, and with Lexus enviable reliability reputation not much should go awry. Equipment levels on all models are very generous with aircon, Bluetooth, an aux-in socket and USB port, 6-speaker stereo, rain-sensing wipers and rear privacy glass all standard on the SE-I as well as ABS, traction control, stability control and tyre pressure warnings plus front, side, knee and curtain airbags.'

The Truth About Cars have published a review of the 2011 Lexus IS350 AWD. 'Our tester came with the $1,320 "Luxury Plus" package which includes heated and cooled thrones slathered in upgraded semi-aniline leather, real wood trim, HID lamps, electric tilt/telescope wheel, memory seats, rain sense wipers and a power rear sunshade. The big ticket item on the options list is the $3,905 audio/nav system package which included the ubiquitous Lexus nav system and a 14 speaker Mark Levinson sound system with backup camera. While I do find some fault in the "that's-so-80s" faux-marble styling that the system's menus employ, functionality is nevertheless high and responsiveness is good. Audio quality from the Mark Levinson system is as high as you would expect from a system this expensive.'

Motor Trend have published their "First test driven" review of the 2011 Lexus LS 600h L. 'When it comes to the performance numbers game, the L in the LS 600h L stands for Lagging, as in lagging behind the competition. The V-12 engines in the BMW 760Li and Mercedes-Benz S600 each produce more than 500 horsepower, while the all-wheel-drive Lexus has "only" 438 total system horsepower. Using a 5.0-liter V-8 engine, a CVT, two electric motors, and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack behind the rear seats, the Lexus LS 600h L sprinted from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds during our testing, on to a quarter mile time of 14.2 seconds at 101.3 mph. The 2011 LS 460 is just two ticks slower to 60 mph, while BMW claims a 4.7-4.8-second time in the ActiveHybrid 750Li.'

A review of the Lexus CT200h SE-I has been posted over at Pocket-lint. 'Design-wise, we reckon the car may have a bit of a challenge on its hands, as it's an awkward looking thing from many angles. The body surfaces feature many creases, which don't resolve or sit together in the harmonious way you'll find on an Audi. And the body looks like it's sagging in a slightly portly manner, even over the reasonably large 17-inch wheels. Step inside and there's some odd materials on show too, such as the bizarre flocked velour upholstery, which looks like your granny's 1970s sofa. Though step up from the bottom of the range and leather becomes standard.'

The Truth About Cars have published a review of the 2010 Lexus IS-F. 'The cleanly styled interior was near the top of the segment five years ago, but seems much less special today. The tested car's cockpit was nearly all black save for "aluminized composite" trim, which looks like carbon fiber that has been painted silver. Some people liked this trim. Most found it about as tasteful as the body kit. Look closely, and you'll also spy a touch of the F sub-brand's signature blue here and there--the gauge needles, a segment of the steering wheel, the seat stitching. Unlike the silver trim, these highlights are overly subtle.

A review of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h has been posted over at the National Post. 'The HS 250h offers four different driving modes: EV, Eco, normal and Power. The EV mode allows the HS to operate on electricity alone when the conditions are right, which, based on my time with the car, is virtually never. The Eco mode softens the gas/electric combination, so it takes a really bold stab at the gas to get things rolling. The normal mode ramps everything up somewhat. Power is the best driving mode, but the performance comes at the expense of fuel economy.'

CNET have published a review of the 2010 Lexus ES 350. 'The 2010 Lexus ES 350 may be built on the same platform as the Toyota Camry, but its cabin appointments and ride are pure Lexus. Lacking any sporting character, the ES 350 serves as luxury transportation. In classic Lexus style, it is effortless to drive, with a wheel that turns easily and a smooth-shifting transmission. Wood trim, leather, and soft plastics line the interior. Its luxury midsize sedan competition includes such cars as the Mercedes-Benz C-class and the Infiniti G37, but the front-wheel-drive ES 350 doesn't meet those cars' level of performance. A more suitable dance partner is the Lincoln MKZ.'

LeftLane have published a review of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV. 'Based heavily on the smaller of Toyota's two global Land Cruisers, the GX 460 is sold overseas in most of its major markets as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. You've probably seen the GX's less-hedonistic brothers serving duty in extreme locales swathed in fleet white with large UN badging on the side. If we were SUVs and not auto writers, we know which badge we'd rather have slapped on our noses at Toyota's Tahara, Japan, assembly plant. One SUV prowls Rodeo Drive, the other watches over Baghdad's Airport Road. The GX shares its frame and basic running gear - but not its powertrain - with Toyota's redesigned 2010 4Runner.'

The Car Connection have published a review of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV. 'Throughout the GX, designers have blended the gentle, organic, and aerodynamic styling of the Lexus L-Finesse designs of recent years with a "machined steel bar" theme, giving it a more sculpted, solid look that separates it from the cars and crossovers. From the front, the likeness with Lexus cars is obvious, with a similar chromed grille flanked by rather large headlamps (which bow slightly to meet U.S. regs). In back, the GX has a clean, uncluttered look, mainly thanks to the narrow vertical taillamps and a new wiper design that's hidden under the roof spoiler.'

Car Advice have published a review of the Lexus IS 250C convertible. 'For a starting price of under $80,000 the Lexus IS 250C is competing directly against the likes of the Volvo C70, BMW 3 Series convertible and equivalent Audi and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. So how does the IS 250c rate against the onslaught of European contenders? Rather well actually. From the outside it exudes a sense of class that Lexus has become popular for. The overall shape is unmistakably a Lexus but makes do with sweeping lines generally found in coupes with the added visual appeal of a convertible.'