Toyota's upscale brand Lexus has been responsible for setting many benchmarks in the industry. By many measures, Lexus vehicles are supremely reliable and defect-free compared to their competition.

The most exciting all-new product from Lexus for 2008 is the IS-F high-performance sedan. Based on the standard IS sedan, the IS-F is intended to do battle with the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG; The 5.0L V8 produces 416-bhp and drives the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic. IS-F models wear aggressive bodywork and ride on aggressive 19-inch wheels and tires.

The flagship LS adds a new performance hybrid model: the LS600h L. The hybrid LS employs a 5.0L V8 in a full hybrid setup to boost both power and fuel economy. For now, the hybrid LS is the ultimate Lexus, with a starting price over $100,000.

Like its counterpart the Toyota Land Cruiser, the premium LX570 SUV is all-new for 2008. Although the wheelbase is the same, the new LX570 is longer and taller than the model it replaces. The big upgrade is under the hood, where a 5.7L V8 has replaced last year's 4.7L V8, boosting horsepower by over 100-bhp to 383-bhp. The price tag has also jumped, with a base price that exceeds $74,000.

The RX SUV and GS sedan receive some minor styling enhancements for 2008. The GS sedan also benefits from a new 4.6L V8, and 8-speed automatic courtesy of the new flagship LS.

Next up for Lexus will be a new flagship performance car, and a new RX.

• What's new for Lexus
• Lexus for 2008
• Read more on Lexus
• Official Site

Performance

For many, the way a car performs is a key criterion for which car to purchase. Our Velocity Index helps determine which vehicles are the best all-around performers taking in to consideration a balance of factors such as acceleration and handling.

For more information, view our new car performance guide.

What would we drive?

Based on our Velocity Index analysis, the 2008 Lexus IS (250) seems to provide a good trade-off between price and vehicle performance.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy has long been a key decision factor when buying a new vehicle. While the EPA estimates may accurately predict your mileage with a given vehicle, they are useful for broad comparisons of vehicles. Note that many trucks and large SUVS are too heavy to be required to specify their fuel economy.

For more information, view our new car fuel economy guide.

What's popular

Here are the five cars that draw the most attention from our readers.

• 2008 Lexus IS
• 2008 Lexus LS
• 2008 Lexus ES
• 2008 Lexus GS
• 2009 Lexus RX