2012 & 2011 Lexus SUV Reviews & Ratings

When Toyota's marketing people recognized that the time was right for them to go up market as the eighties were drawing to a close, decisions were made that would usher in the launch of a luxury car brand that would go on to make a major impression on the prestige car market that has continued and grown even stronger well into the twenty-first century. Toyota called their new luxury car division, Lexus, and began their early market penetration focusing on the luxury car market with a range of well designed and solidly produced sedans.

In the close to twenty five years that the Lexus brand has been around much has changed on the global motoring map, with one of the most fundamental changes being the incredible increase in demand for SUVs. The people at Lexus weren't slow to recognize the trend, releasing their first SUVs, the over sized LX and the compact RX in the mid nineties, followed up by the medium size GX in the early Noughties.

True to their marque, Lexus succeeded with all their SUVs to combine a winning blend of luxury and sturdiness wrapped up in an intrinsically aesthetic package.

The Lexus LX was the first SUV to be launched and is now in its fourth series. Based on the Toyota Land Cruiser but with an awful lot more going for in it the way of features, the LX is one large chunk of a motor car with a lot of physical presence backed up by a powerful engine. Like the Land Cruiser, the LX will take you wherever you want to go in the toughest of conditions, thanks to its 4.7 liter engine paired with a six speed automatic gear box. For those who want a little more oomph to haul this sixteen foot monster, weighing in at close to 6,000 pounds, Lexus have considerately provided the option of 5.7 liter engine generating 383 horsepower.

Following up on the LX's success, Lexus launched a smaller SUV that they imaginatively titled the RX. Definitely pointed towards the mid compact SUV Niche, the Series Three is as daintily designed as the LX is substantial. An elegant five door hatchback, the RX draws its power from a choice of three engines. No matter the choice of engine, the RX comes with a six speed automatic transmission as standard.

The final piece in the Lexus SUV puzzle, the GX first hit the roads in 2003. Bearing an unabashed resemblance to Toyota's medium range Land Cruiser Prado, the GX is a seven seater five door, drawing its power from a 4.6-liter V8 engine paired with six speed automatic transmissions. Smaller than its larger LX cousin, the GX will still seat seven in relative comfort, being just ten inches shorter at 190 inches and a considerable 700 pounds lighter at 5,300 making for a considerable difference in fuel consumption.

60/40 splitting and folding rear seats as well as power folding rear bench seats ( where applicable) come as standard across the three SUVs, while in relation to each of the vehicle's footprint, cargo space is more than adequate. With access being aided by a passenger side hinged rear door, Lexus have had done all that they can to make cargo handling as convenient as possible.

Opting for any of the Lexus SUVs means that the list of standard equipment is pretty rich, and there should be no need to reach for the check book for extras. Standard fare on the Lexus' list includes keyless ignition, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, luxury wood interior trim. power adjustable leather upholstery, , satellite radio, CD players hooked up to a 13-speaker sound system, cruise control, fog lights, heated exterior mirrors, sunroof, automatic wipers, dual zone operable climate control, driver memory functions, and eighteen inch alloy wheels with all season tyres among a number of other top of the range accessories.