Independent Reviews of Lexus New and Used Cars

In summary, if you're in the market for an executive sports saloon of this kind, we'd urge you to look beyond the press reports and make your own mind up about this GS F. Let's be clear: if somebody took us to the Nurburgring and made us choose between this Lexus and, say, an M3 or a Mercedes C63, we'd pick the German option without a second thought. But if we had to drive the model in question every day for a year, there's no way we'd go with the Teutonic choices - something we never thought we have said before we tried this Lexus. It's old school in feel but new wave in execution. And there has to be room in the market for that combination.

If you're seeking a spaciously compact, prestigiously badged premium five-door hatchback, then you're probably thinking diesel power and German badgework. Here's a different way to go, Lexus' improved first generation CT200h petrol/electric hybrid. The original version of this car needed a little perfecting but it's now a far more credible choice that's classy to own, efficient to run and kind to the environment. In practice, this car is somewhat restricted by the limits of its Prius mechanicals but that doesn't stop it delivering a package that will still be compelling to many target buyers. True, a rival diesel BMW 1 Series or an Audi A3 will be better to drive. But, spec-adjusted, both will cost you more to buy, be noisier to live with, confine you to nastier cabins and cost a whole lot more to run on pricier fuel. To us, the limits of this Lexus seem a fair trade in exchange for all these benefits. This car adds up. On the balance sheet. And in your driveway.

The Lexus RX is more versatile in its seven-seat body style. Jonathan Crouch reports on the revised version.

The Lexus RC coupe isn't the obvious executive choice if you're looking for a mid-sized executive coupe, but it's quite a beguiling one if you like your luxury. Here's the usefully revised version. Jonathan Crouch reports.

The Lexus RX isn't the most capable luxury SUV you can buy. It isn't the sportiest to drive. And it's not the most affordable to buy. But despite all of that, it will continue to attract a significant following in this segment. Once you've bought the thing, after all, its running costs can be usefully less than even the most frugal of its diesel competitors. While other manufacturers dithered over hybrid technology, Toyota's Lexus division got on and developed it. Their first hybrid RX was an impressive achievement and this one has added more stylish looks and extra technology to existing strengths of comfort, refinement and a high specification. There's also a slightly lengthened RX L seven-seat bodystyle if you want it. Overall , the reasons you'll want to buy this car really haven't changed very much. Comfort, efficiency and class. As ever with Lexus.