With all of the different brands on the market today, it’s hard to keep each one categorized in mind. For instance, an Audi is just a “Volkswagen with leather,” right? And an Acura is just a “fancy Honda.”
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You would technically be correct on both of those accounts, although there’s much more to Acura and Audi than fancy leather seats. Now, when it comes to Toyota and Lexus, is the Lexus a fancier Toyota? If so, does Toyota own Lexus?
In this article, we discuss the relationship Toyota has with the Lexus car brand.
Does Toyota Own Lexus?
To make the answer as simple as possible: Lexus is Toyota’s luxury line of cars and SUVs. The Lexus brand was started in 1989, just a few years after Acura got its start in the U.S. The product line was kicked off by the LS 400 and the EX 250, two nameplates that are still on the roster today.
Which Models Does Lexus Offer Currently?
The Lexus model lineup consists of cars and SUVs all named with two or three-letter designations. The lineup of cars consists of the IS, the ES, the GS, and the full-size, flagship LS sedan. The SUV lineup consists of the UX, NX, RX, GX, and the full-size LX. There are also a couple of performance coupe models named the RC and the LC.
If you are looking for the best gas mileage, Lexus also makes hybrid versions of the UX, NX, RX, ES, and LC, with a forthcoming LS hybrid coming out next year.
Are Lexus Cars Manufactured in Japan?
The cars and SUVs that Lexus builds are mostly built in Japan, primarily in the Chubu and Kyushu regions. In fact, the RX is manufactured in Kitakyushu, Japan, while the RX, NX, and UX are all manufactured in Miyawaka. The more mainstream LS, GS, IS, and GX are all manufactured in Tahara, Japan.
For the ES, LX, LC, and the legendary LF-A, you would have to go to Toyota City, but if you would rather stay stateside, then you can watch the ES being built in Georgetown, Kentucky. Fortunately, for any consumers who want their cars to stay true to their roots, most of the vehicles manufactured by Lexus come straight from Japan.
