Daily Slideshow: Top Lexus Models Of The 2000s
With a new decade just around a couple of corners, we take a look back at notable Lexuses from the lost decade of the 2000s.
2000 SC 400
It's probably no accident how Lexus models of the 2000s tracked the culture of the period. For many, the year 2000 was merely a continuation of the '90s. We listened to the same music, we had our same careers—unless we lost our jobs in the tech bust—and our cars remained the same. Lexus held the SC400 and SC 300 over for one last year, making it eligible for our list. The original SC has already started to be spoken about with the reverence it's due. The car is a stone cold classic. Its styling rivals that of any coupe this side of an exotic, not only of its era, but even when pitted against current crops. It's unfussy in a way that few cars are today. This last SC400 had 290 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque, which when compared to the riches we have today doesn't seem like a lot, but cars were lighter then and 300 hp will never not move a reasonably-sized car along at a decent clip. We buried the lede by not mentioning the SC models' peerless build quality. Paragraphs have been written about the door hinges alone. Cockroaches and SC400s will share this scorched earth after we humans have perished.
2000-2002 LX
Another happy hold-over from the innocent and prosperous '90s was the 2000 model year LX. A quick glance at the previous LX was enough to tell you that Lexus's first SUV was basically a re-badged sixth generation Toyota Land Cruiser. A luxury version of one of the world's all-time classic SUVs? Where can I sign? The new J100 generation of the LX still shared the Land Cruiser's floor plan, and many body panels, and was updated with independent front suspension. The previous model's locking differentials were gone but the new LX gained adjustable suspension and variable ride height functions, Vehicle Stability Control, and brake assist.
>>Join the conversation about the top Lexus models of the 2000s right here in the Club Lexus forum.
2004-2006 SC 430
It's no longer true that you can't fix ugly, but if you're not careful you'll end up with something nearly shapeless. Chief designer Sotiris Kovos reportedly came up with the pretty-on-the-inside design for the SC430 while indulging in an inspiration-seeking excursion to the Côte d'Azur. Maybe instead of basing the SC's shape on houses and harbors of the French Riviera, he should have shut himself in a boring office with pencil, paper, and his imagination—a recipe that's cooked up more than a few great debuts. We put it on our list for the reasons you should keep an ugly guitar if you have one—it's still fun. And if you sell it, you'll just buy a more expensive one. We chose the limited-production Pebble Beach Edition. Because, why not? Despite earning J.D. Power and Associates' award for best Initial Quality Survey in a premium luxury vehicle for both '04 and '05, Top Gear UK's presenters famously chose the SC 430 as the worst car ever built in their special, The Worst Car in the History of the World.
>>Join the conversation about the top Lexus models of the 2000s right here in the Club Lexus forum.
2007-2009 LS 600h L
No list of luxurious Lexus would be complete without the company's traditional flagship, the LS sedan line. The LS started off the whole shebang in the '80s, and in 2005, following more than a decade of innovative feature introductions, the LS 600h premiered production vehicle full-hybrid V8 power. We chose the 2007 LS 600h L due to its ostentatious over-$100K base price, the most expensive luxury car ever from Japan.
>>Join the conversation about the top Lexus models of the 2000s right here in the Club Lexus forum.
2007-2009 Lexus IS F sedan
Oh, look! another front engine, rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered Lexus. The seat of the pants wants what it wants. The IS F's 417 hp, 372 lb-ft 5.0-liter V8 pushed it to 60 mph in the mid-four-second range, and helped power sales of all second-generation IS cars deep into the black. The IS F received a styling update for 2008, but we'd take either '00s version. If an electronically-limited 170 mph top speed didn't do it for potential buyers, then perhaps the sound system from high-end audiophile staple Mark Levinson was able to seal the deal.
>>Join the conversation about the top Lexus models of the 2000s right here in the Club Lexus forum.
2009 RX 350
After more than a few rough years full of tragedies and crises, the decade of the 2000's began crawling back into the light, and concurrent with that, Lexus launched a raft of successes. The 2009 RX 350 appears high atop that list. One of the most-loves Lexus models and a solid sales winner, the third-generation RX won a slew of awards, including U.S. News' Best Luxury Crossover for the Money. Starting at under $40K in 2009, the RX was a lot of vehicle for the dollar.
>>Join the conversation about the top Lexus models of the 2000s right here in the Club Lexus forum.
2009 ES
Another 2009 baby worth a look is the facelifted GSV40-platform ES. After having survived the floor mat-fueled recall of the previous iteration, the ES line came back strong. The new model was spacious, loaded with luxury, came standard with leather, and won a spate of awards, including US News' Best Upscale Car for the Money and Vehicle Satisfaction Award for Best Midsize Luxury Car from AutoPacific. The ES's reliability and reasonable resale price make it a steal in today's pre-owned vehicle market. Our "Top" list is by no means definitive—let us know your pick for best 2000s Lexus. We know you have one.
>>Join the conversation about the top Lexus models of the 2000s right here in the Club Lexus forum.
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