Lexus no longer on top at Toyota?
Having just shopped the Highlander vs. the RX I found a significant difference in ride comfort between a Toyo and a Lexus. Lexus is simply a more refined ride: quieter, smoother, less vibration, less body roll, less tranny affect on in-town driving.
I went in to the process wanting a Highlander.
Ride quality changed my mind.
Just took my girlfriend to test drive an NX and a Rav4.
That experience was the same. One was clearly a more refined car.
In both cases the test-driven Toyo was newer and lower miles than the Lexus (they were at the same price point).
now would i pay 80k for a new Lexus vs 50k for a new toyo? maybe not...hard to justify 60% more money.
but, i can tell you that 4 years later, after all that depreciation has occurred, which is when i buy, the price difference is much less significant and makes Lexus an easy choice
I went in to the process wanting a Highlander.
Ride quality changed my mind.
Just took my girlfriend to test drive an NX and a Rav4.
That experience was the same. One was clearly a more refined car.
In both cases the test-driven Toyo was newer and lower miles than the Lexus (they were at the same price point).
now would i pay 80k for a new Lexus vs 50k for a new toyo? maybe not...hard to justify 60% more money.
but, i can tell you that 4 years later, after all that depreciation has occurred, which is when i buy, the price difference is much less significant and makes Lexus an easy choice
Last edited by liazon; Mar 24, 2026 at 09:04 AM.
Pit Crew
Joined: Mar 2024
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We test drove the Grand Highlander Max Hybrid Platinum and there definitely wasn't a $17,000 difference between our TX500h in the overall package. At most the TX500h feels like $5000 more. There's a much bigger gap between the last gen ES and Camry for example.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
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From: CT
But yeah...17K difference? No thanks. Especially now that Toyota seems to be up-branding a lot of their models into Lex territory (without the name, of course).
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: SE PA
I've pretty much resolved in my mind that my 2019 Ultra Lux will be the last Lexus for me... I'll keep it until the wheels fall off then see what else is out there. I like the V6 and its power and smoothness and am not kidding myself that there will be another in the future with Toyota or anyone else. However Lexus is pricing their cars out of range for what they are, not offering much choice, and of course, they will continue to increase. Not even counting that the '26 ES won't fit in my garage. I own a 28 year old Corvette that is pristine (21,000 miles) so can always fall back on that honey.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 434
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From: Ny
Many of us have noticed of late that Toyota seems to have been making some odd marketing decisions when it comes to maintaining a sufficient product difference between Toyota and the more premium Lexus brand. The LS and LC are dead, Toyotas have become more premium looking (especially the interiors) and the overall styling direction is too shared. Yes, IMO at least, Lexus still makes cars with more premium materials, better NVH protection, etc., but it is becoming more difficult in some cases for some to justify the price difference to move to Lexus when a comparable Toyota is almost as good. The upcoming gen 8 ES is a good example. Without a name plate, with that butt ugly side “thing” and even cabin choices like no more real luxury appearance and use of Camry style fuzzy fabric, you would be hard pressed to know it is a Lexus if you didn’t read the badging.
Well now it seems like the suspicions about Toyota wanting to make the Century their real top brand are coming true. Yes, only in Japan to start, but it is easy to see what has been going on. Lower the Lexus image and make the Century name and prestige soar in preparation of moving it beyond Japan’s borders. It will take years, but that seems to be the intended direction.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a7...-tokyo-teaser/
Well now it seems like the suspicions about Toyota wanting to make the Century their real top brand are coming true. Yes, only in Japan to start, but it is easy to see what has been going on. Lower the Lexus image and make the Century name and prestige soar in preparation of moving it beyond Japan’s borders. It will take years, but that seems to be the intended direction.
https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a7...-tokyo-teaser/
German cars are always on the top of the list!!
wow car is great meanwhile it’s test drive for a week!!
they don’t mention the owners ship and cost to drive it!!
air filter Lexus $20
germans air filter $200
Instructor
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Long term ownership costs are way different once out of leasing territory, heavily favoring toyota, but you can get way more standard performance, tech, and aftermarket support with DE.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 434
Likes: 56
From: Ny
i own it .!
im driving I’m not on a race track!!
if it gets me to AB I’m happy( I love not having a Xmas lights on my cluster)
I love Lexus cause they know more new tech more things to go wrong.
Instructor
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Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 1,681
From: NC
Lowest maintenance cost for luxury vehicles Lexus #2 behind EV Tesla Mercedes Land Rover most expensive. I can pay cash for two luxury vehicles because I have made wise consumer choices.
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