![]() ![]() for the fourteenth year, based on its Vehicle Dependability Survey, a measure of over 53,000 vehicle owners and problems experienced in the first three years of vehicle ownership. Power and Associates named Lexus the most reliable brand in the U.S. Since 1989, Lexus has developed a reputation for vehicle reliability and customer service, as measured by independent surveys. Assembly of the first Lexus built outside the country, the Ontario, Canada-produced RX, began in 2003. From the start of production, Lexus vehicles have been consistently produced in Japan, with manufacturing centered in the Chūbu and Kyūshū regions. Hybrid drivetrains arrived in 2005, and the F marque performance division debuted in 2007. In subsequent years, Lexus added sedan, coupe, and SUV models. This effort developed into the original Lexus LS, which was the first vehicle to wear the Lexus marque upon its launch in 1989. Lexus originated from a clandestine flagship sedan project that began in 1983. ![]() In 2005, the Lexus marque launched in Japan, marking the continued global expansion of the luxury division. ![]() First introduced in the United States, where Lexus has become the highest-selling make of luxury car, today Lexus brand name vehicles are available throughout the world. Lexus (Japanese: レクサス, Rekusasu?) is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. Passenger airbag deactivation function withĮlectronic security and traffic control systemsĢ004 Lexus IS300 JCE10 3.0 AT (215 Hp) specs In almost all respects, the Lexus IS 300 is a pleasure to drive, regardless of the situation, definitely a car I would take on a long journey over challenging roads.Aluminum pedal pads, Self-dimming side mirrors, Luggage net (optional) And the big ABS disc brakes, as my co-driver discovered when a semi turned over in front of him at the base of a mountain road, are a precious asset. Handling is impeccable, with just a small amount of body lean Lexus has really solved the question of matching roadholding with ride, sans compromise. Nice for canyon carving, of little value in normal driving. Our test vehicle came with a 5-speed automatic featuring a gated shifter plus a do-it-yourself sequential shifter operated by "down" buttons on the front of the small leather steering wheel and "up" buttons on the back. Torque flow is steady from the moment you tickle the throttle right up to the top of the rev range there are no distracting hot spots. With 225 hp on tap, this 3-liter unit, derived from the last of the Supras, launches the 2004 Lexus IS 300 to 60 mph from a dead stop in seven seconds. V-6's are okay but give me an overhead-cam inline-six every time for smoothness, balance, and mellow tunes flowing from the exhaust pipe. The rear seat, if you can get into it (took me two painful attempts) is satisfactory for a pair of medium-size adults or children, making this car best suited to small families where the daily driver also seeks handling and performance. Nicely bolstered sport seats offer body-hugging support. (My women friends have been telling me that for years.) The cockpit is equally understated soft black leather with metallic accents, most notably on door sill and pedals, where they have the appearance of drilled aluminum such as you'd see in a race car. Beautiful wheels and fine detailing makes the difference, along with a gorgeous charcoal metallic paint job, proving, I guess, that a sexy silhouette isn't everything. I walked in and asked, "hey, what did I do to deserve all this attention?" Needless to say it was the car, not the driver, for all three were impressed by its appearance and wanted to know more. Through the shop window I could see two young women and a man staring in my direction, smiling. Then one evening I stopped at our neighborhood liquor store for a bottle of wine. The 2004 Lexus IS 300 is not particularly distinctive, I thought, its lines too subtle to be noticed. ![]()
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