7 Most Notable Lexus Innovations

Leading the Pack

While some automotive brands are more than happy to follow the crowd and not bother to try and lead the pack, that certainly hasn't been the case with Lexus over its years in existence. Rather, the luxury brand has rolled out some truly ground-breaking innovations and quite a few "firsts" among its peers and even brands it doesn't compete directly with. Among that group, these seven are some of the more notable. 

Photos: Lexus

1. Pre-Collision System

First up, we have Lexus' pre-collision system, which debuted way back in 2003. Now commonplace in most new vehicles, the original Lexus PCS relied on an array of sensors to detect a potential collision, and if that was the case, it would take steps to prepare the vehicle and keep occupants safe - even applying the brakes if needed. Of course, the system has evolved quite a bit over the past two-plus decades, but it's amazing to think that it's been around this long already. 

Photos: Lexus

2. Eight-Speed Transmission

Then there's something as simple as the eight-speed transmission, which debuted in the 2006 LS460 at a time when four-, five-, and six-speed gearboxes - or a seven-speed, in the case of BMW - were quite common. The new Lexus eight-speed transmission was smoother and helped improve fuel economy versus its predecessor, and has become a rather popular configuration today - even if there are now nine- and 10-speed units out there. 

Photos: Lexus

3. Standard Satellite Navigation

It's hard to remember a time when navigation wasn't at least available in new vehicles as an option, but Lexus was actually the first to offer it as an option in the 1998 LS400. Of course, that system isn't exactly cutting edge by today's standards, but this was a big step in helping make navigation the essential feature that it is today - even if most of us now rely on our smartphone apps to help in that regard. 

Photos: Lexus

4. Digital Side Mirrors

Lexus debuted its digital side mirrors back in 2018 on the ES, which replace the traditional glass with cameras that display images on five-inch screens inside the cabin. The beauty of these types of side mirrors is that they're smaller and more aerodynamic, helping to reduce wind noise while also providing a far better view of what's going on outside the vehicle. Unfortunately, U.S. regulators still haven't greenlit this tech, but it's quite common in Europe. 

Photos: Lexus

5. Adaptive Front Lighting System

Lexus debuted its adaptive front lighting system in the 2003 RX330, which automatically adjusts the angle of the crossover's headlights based on steering input and speed. This helps provide a better view of what's ahead when cornering or turning, and has since become a feature that many other automakers have adopted. 

Photos: Lexus

6. First Luxury Crossover, Hybrid Crossover

The 1998 RX300 is widely credited with being the very first luxury crossover ever to exist, which is obviously notable given how incredibly popular that segment is today. In 2005, it followed up that effort by rolling out the very first hybrid luxury crossover in the RX400h, another combination that has only become more popular with time. 

Photos: Lexus

7. First Hybrid V8

Speaking of hybrids, the 2008 LS600h was the very first V8 to utilize that sort of electrification, adding an electric motor to the company's 5.0-liter V8 to create a still-stout 438 horsepower while delivering 20 mpg in combined fuel economy. V8s have largely gone away in today's automotive world, but this was a groundbreaking machine at the time, regardless. 

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about these Lexus innovations right here at ClubLexus.com.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our How-to section in the forum.