Everyone has to start somewhere, even car companies. A quarter of a century ago, Lexus only manufactured two cars—and they were both sedans. Now look at the automaker. It produces a hardcore SUV, crossovers, high-performance coupes, and hybrids, in addition to executive expresses. It even created a V10-powered exotic.
However, back in 1990, Lexus only sold the ES250, which was based on the then-current Toyota Camry, and the LS400, its rival to the big four-doors from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac. Had that latter car been a dud, I probably wouldn’t be writing this on this site right now. You’d likely be thinking of Lexus as another Edsel or DeLorean Motor Company.
Fortunately for all of you people who prove the words “love” and “Lexus” start with the same letter, the LS400 was well received, particularly by MotorWeek. The show was fond of the big-bodied Lex’s bump-absorbing double-wishbone suspension, effective traction control, graceful and superb handling, and stable braking.
According to the program, the LS400’s interior was “a model of efficient luxury.” The buttons for various controls were easy to reach. The seats were comfortable and could even be heated, although the appearance of the leather they were constructed from left MotorWeek underwhelmed. The same was true of the blandly styled body’s paint. It just wasn’t quite at the level of what the Germans used on their cars.
Ultimately, as you can tell, the LS400 held its own amongst the competitors against which Lexus pitted it. Let’s hope the next 25 years are even better for the LS and for Lexus as a whole.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
Where do you go for answers when you have a Lexus with a gorgeous leather interior but are not sure about how to maintain that luxurious look? The "Club Lexus" forums, of course.
