irishcar.com - Lexus Reviews

I have to take it back, writes Brian Byrne. Or some of it, at least. Lexus knew what they were doing with the IS200 when they launched it a couple of years ago. A recent new acquaintance with the Compressor version of the baby Lexus served more to reinforce the good feelings I’d had about the last one than it did the negatives. full story

I suppose the first question to be answered is whether there is a place in the Irish motoring world for a 3-litre version of the Lexus IS200, a car which has opened up the Lexus brand both in this country and throughout Europe, writes Brian Byrne. The IS200 has worked because it provided a much-needed entry to the marque for those who either couldn’t afford £50,000-plus or wanted a smaller car than the GS300. Full Story.

SportCross fills a Lexus gap (July 02)
In this country, the Lexus IS200 has arguably been the Toyota luxury brand’s most important car, writes Brian Byrne, bringing as it did the Lexus nameplate to a whole new market segment - the area dominated by the 3-Series BMW and C-Class Mercedes-Benz. The SportCross version has a 3-litre engine instead of the 2-litre in the familiar ISs, derived from the one that powers the GS300 ‘mid-range’ Lexus.

Sportcross first impression lasts (Jan 03)
The five-seater Lexus SportCross IS200 is a stylish and sporty estate that drives every bit as good as it looks, writes Trish Whelan. There is absolutely no stinting whatever on this car which offers a huge amount of features as standard. And as is usually the case with a Lexus, that distinctive ‘L’ badge turns heads.

I must say I always felt a little cool towards the Lexus GS300 model, writes Declan Colley. I was in Belgium when the company proudly launched the GS range and noted how thrilled the Lexus people were with a car that had its sights firmly aimed at the BMW 5 Series ... the cockles of my heart can now warm much more easily to the Lexus GS because it has shed some of the ‘ordinariness’ which bedevilled the original machine. full story

EVERY time I drive one of these super luxury cars I wonder where it is all going to end, writes Eddie Cunningham. Be it a Lexus, Beemer, Merc or Jaguar, the depth and detail of technology and equipment profoundly shocks me. But the one thing I've learned is that when you get used to electrically adjustable, heated seats you miss them. full story

A 3-litre V6, auto trans, and a big body. Vital statistics all, and giving any car a fair chance of meeting with this writer’s approval, writed Brian Byrne. Easy driving is my thing, and comfort too. That makes me a safer driver, and puts my fellow motorists in a safer position. A Lexus logo doesn’t do any harm either. full story

RX300 is a thoroughbred workhorse (Mar 01) - Gerry Boud

Though much research is ongoing into the development of alternative automotive power units, the internal combustion engine which has been around for more than a century is likely to remain the prime power source for cars in the medium term, write Brian Byrne & Trish Whelan. That said, there may well be a hybrid sports car in the future of Lexus, according to Toyota’s Chief Engineer in charge of Product Planning, Yasushi Nakagawa. And he sees hybrid technology - already on the road in the Toyota Prius - becoming ‘mainstream’ in the interests of technology and safety. full story

OK, so there’s the guy who already owned a large Lexus saloon and has now traded it in for an RX300 along with one of the few copies for this year of the new SC430 coupe cabriolet, writes Brian Byrne. That’s practical and fun both getting their share. And there’s the member of the phenomenally successful pop group who wants a bit of special style on the few months of the year that's he's not touring. Full Story.