Good thread, bitkahuna.

I'm not going to write a whole book on the subject. But, to be at least fairly brief, I'd say that Lexus started out as a leader in the 1990s, along with Infiniti and Saturn, with a completely new standard of customer-friendliness and service. It also proved that a well-built, refined Japanese-designed full-size luxury sedan could succeed in the U.S....even more so than the preceeding (and smaller) Acura Legend. Lexus vehicles, for a time, were the very definition of quality and refinement. But, along about the mid-2000s, obvious cost-cutting issues became apparent in the design/materials used, emphasis started shifting away from comfort to sportiness (essentially following the shift of other automakers to more sport-oriented tires/suspensions). Also following other automakers, form started to prevail over function in styling (rooflines, headroom, grilles, etc....) and the vehicles became too complex with their electronic systems/controls.

 

Being a leader is overrated.

Lexus does perfect execution of their products. I don't care about having the latest gimmick. I care about quality, functionality & reliability. And that's were Lexus excels. Perfect execution.

Besides Lexus does have a good record of "worlds firsts"

 

It's an interesting question. Mark me down with the others who feel that Lexus leads in some areas, follows in others.

There is no question the Lexus was really leading when they burst into the scene with the original LS400. But it's much harder now for Lexus to lead like that. The established luxury brands have forever been changed because of the original LS, and they will not likely be caught sleeping again. Lexus has made the other brands better. This is why I love competition.

 

How about the 4GS?

 

obviously a good car overall and a big step forward in handling and interior, but it didn't blow me away. same old V6. started with 6 speed auto and missing features in u.s. launch (remedied now). and i don't care for the f-sport front end. the 4GS attempts to be a 'better 5 series' and maybe it succeed, but i don't want to go down a whole GS discussion. obviously others love everything about it.

 

Fair enough. Just curious

 

follower. lexus is not leading. when I see a new gs I say meh.

 

The new Equus interior is completely different:

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Its a great car when you take the price into consideration. Not so much when you don't.

 

The new interior is definitely more aesthetically pleasing but it didn't "feel" like an improvement for me. If that makes any sense...

 

GS is first car that took down 5 series from the throne by having better chassis, that car is definitely a leader in its class for the basic car criteria - suspension, chassis and resulting handling.

Looks, design, options and personal preferences are something completely unrelated.

For every other Lexus we could find some other cars that does at least some things better...

 

Material quality I agree is similar, but I think some of the new packaging (the metal trim for instance) hides some of the material quality issues on the refreshed dash.

 

poll added. (note, it asks the situation TODAY, not in the past)

 

My vote is for follower.

 

Lexus is (and has been) a leader in reliability since its inception.

 

cool... if we are talking about Today... NX is launching tomorrow officially in Beijing, and to me it is clear leader in its class.

RC launching this year could also be leader in the class, but that is really depending on handling, which should be good.