Will 2014 Be The Year That Lexus Leaves The Germans In The Dust?

LOL .... And it is not even April Fools

I know what you mean, my friend. This article is simply ridiculous.

What does the title even mean, when Lexus already put an end to the whole competition and is now the king of all luxury brands?

The difference between then and now is back then, the German's record of reliability was pretty abysmal. They've taken great strides in improving this specific facet (with still room for improvement) and Lexus/Toyota has taken a hit with it. The perception then was that Lexus took Mercedes' playbook and perfected it and everyone basically equated driving a Lexus with the same prestige as driving a Mercedes. Not the same perception now. The reality now is that Lexus is trying to take BMW's playbook and perfect it. Not working especially when you throw in less-than-inspirational and somewhat-desperate-looking designs to the equation. Ironically, the two Lexus cars still carrying them are two that follow the original formula of relatively safely executed design and driving experience: the ES and RX.

I really and truly feel that Lexus continues to make more missteps than successes. Yes, the new IS has gotten good reviews (the IS350) but it's also gotten relatively poor reviews (the sales volume leader IS250). With their sportier offerings and their attempts at more dynamic styling have alienated the customer base that held them high for 11 straight years.

I bought a LEXUS because of value not because of reliability. LEXUS needs to continue to offer more for less in order to remain competitive with all their cars and not just the ES and RX. If they do, they might just come back and retake the sales crown (here in the US). Overseas, well that is a different story. And Yes, I love Germans cars too but their prices continue to rise faster than my daughter's college tuition. $62K for a 435i? Give me a break!

Why should they give you a break, when the Germans know their cars sell no matter what? Even if they are dead unreliable?

The real rich, who worship the European brands as though they are their gods, do not care if a 4 series costs so much, they'd pay even 200 grand for it.

But yes, you are right. If you want a car that gives you more for less money, then always count on the Japanese and the Americans.

I personally can't see it happening. To me, their styling is almost cartoonish. Witness the new IS. I saw one the other day, the grill almost caused me to lose my breakfast. I wanted to like the previous gen IS 250 AWD, but the 201 HP 6 cylinder with EPA estimates of 20/27 just didn't get it done. Virtually every competitor offers an engine with more power, much more torque, and better mileage. Add the love it or hate it styling and I'm not sure they're that competitive other than with the new prestige of the badge

...and the anime comes to true life....

LOL, people have been asking this question every year since 1989.

What Lexus (and Cadillac too for that matter) are doing right is NOT trying to be like the Germans and instead they are trying to be UNLIKE them. Will this be the year that Lexus leaves the Germans in the dust? No, but that is beside the point.

The Germans are in a race to create niche after niche after niche and, aside from their slobbering fans, one has to wonder what their corporate psychosis is. At some point, it will implode.

Lexus has trumped the Germans in reliability FOR AGES and that is a HUGE reflection of quality. German car snobs will huff, puff, and chest pound that no one will ever equal cars from the fatherland, but Lexus is old enough that it had loyal RETURNING customers. Cadillac is rapidly gaining ground. Hyundai has had no problems meeting their sales targets for the Genesis and Equus.

The premium segment is heating up and no doubt the Germans think they are untouchable.

Delusional. Lexus first tried to ape Mercedes. Now they are trying to ape BMW. Newsflash: these new model offerings are to MEET what the Germans are already offering.

If Lexus can make appreciable upgrades to the engine offerings in the IS, it will become the best selling model for Lexus as it should be, because it has everything else it needs to compete I spades. Mid-cycle engine upgrades please!

Lexus won't catch the Germans for one simple reason CAFE. The germans have to keep bringing out high mileage CHEAP cars to meet mileage standards. Lexus has Toyota to meet fleet standards. Lexus will still offer better value and have matched the germans on body structure. The new IS drives as good as any sport sedan the germans have to offer. That's why the IS350 has won many comparisons.

Lexus will never catch up to the germans because they fail to innovate. They only replicate. They consistantly use older safer technology and market the crap out of it. Thats why they are typically more reliable since they never come with anything new. Heck even their new bodystyle cars like the IS have old powertrains from 2007.

Okay Lexus, if you want to fight with BMW, Audi, and MB, design new engines and stop using the Toyota Camry V6 from eight years ago. Lexus already tried to go "downmarket" and the HS and CT was their answer. Will the Lexus demographic, average 59 years old, buy these new designs? That is the question.

Lexus is working on new engines. A twin turbocharged V6 is one of them. They just move slow.....

This is exactly the problem (moving slow). TM has one of the biggest cash accounts and number of engineers behind them and they still fail to be the market leader innovating. No excuse for being slow. RUNAMUKK statement might be correct. As much as I hate to say it but unless LEXUS starts taking some major risks to compete directly with the Germans, they will always be considered a second tier luxury brand by many.

LFA showed they can out engineer and build the best in the world. Lexus showed the world what luxury and reliability means. As long as Lexus is generating satisfied customers and making a good profit in return, market share isn't an issue. BMW has one of the lowest brand loyalties, so the door is open to win over this crowd too.

Agree x100. First-time BMW owners who probably had Toyotas or Hondas before run the risk of being appalled by German reliability. Responding to USNA1999 Lexus is NOT second tier...well perhaps to the German car fanboys with posters on their walls...but most people in the market for a premium luxury sedan speak Lexus in the same breath as Audi/BMW/Benz with Cadillac hot on the trail and Hyundai and Jaguar taking aim.