2026 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail 4WD: The Brand’s Midsize Two-Row SUV

Highlight: The Toyota Land Cruiser shares the same design theme and many of the components as the Lexus GX.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $77,080 (Base GX): $67,735 (Non AWD)

Seating Capacity: 5 or 7 (depending upon the trim)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; rear view monitoring; stability control; traction control system; a blind spot monitoring system; a lane departure warning system; a lane keep assist system; a rear cross traffic alert system; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

New Car Preview: Lexus Offers First Peek At Its Three-Row Electric Vehicle

 

What: Lexus is offering the TZ, the brand's first three-row electric vehicle.

2025 Lexus LC 500 Convertible: One Of The Sexist Drop Tops On The Road

Highlight: The power convertible top can be closed or opened while driving up to 31-mph.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $115,654 (Base MSRP): $108,300

Seating Capacity: 2

Standard Safety Equipment: ABS; air bag; pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; lane departure alert; an automatic high beam system; an electronic blind spot monitor; a left-turn detection braking system; a 36-degree camera; and tire pressure sensors

'Auto Trends' First State Of The Minority Car Dealer: Trump's 25% Tariffs, DEI, EVs And More (Two Shows)

Ethnic minority new cars dealers own 1,574 of today's 16,957 dealerships in the United States, according to the latest stats provided by National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD). Thus, this number equates to 9 percent of today's new car dealerships being owned by ethnic minority dealers. 

Ironically, ethnic minority consumers drive 33 percent of today's new car sales, according to S&P Global Mobility's Marc Bland, a specialist in multicultural car sales. Out of the approximately 16 million new vehicles sold in the United States in 2024 through new car dealers, ethnic minority car buyers accounted for 5.3 million of those new vehicle sales.

'Auto Trends' Black History Spotlight: Two Of The Highest-Ranking Black Executives In Auto History Recently Shattered Glass Ceilings

 

Chris Reynolds (Photo Credit: Toyota)

Over the past two months, two Black auto executives in the industry have cracked through the thick glass automotive ceiling making history in industry.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Chris Reynolds, who is currently the executive vice president and chief strategy officer at Toyota Motor Corporation, will be retiring a the end of May to assume a new role. Reynolds will join Toyota's global Board of directors. In this role, he will serve as a member of the Board's Audit and Supervisory Committee in addition to his duties as a Board member, according to a press release. This board overseas both Toyota and Lexus. 

2025 Genesis G80 3.5 T Sport Prestige AWD: The Brand’s Luxurious Midsize Sedan

 

Highlight: A fully electrified G80 is available. The vehicle is known as the Electrified G80.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $ 78,930 (Base Model): $58,430

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: ABS; airbags; a vehicle stability system; a hill-start assist control system; a forward collision assist system; a lane following assist system; a lane keep assist system; an electronic blind spot system; a back up camera; a rear cross traffic avoidance system; a high beam assist system; a driver warning attention system; an automatic brake hold feature; a parking distance warning system; a rear camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system

All Kia Tellurides Should Be Parked Outside, While 2022-23 Toyota Tundras And Lexus LX600s Are Being Recalled For Engine Debris

Fire from Overheated Power Seat Motor

A fire increases the risk of injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V407000

Manufacturer Kia America, Inc.

Components SEATS

Potential Number of Units Affected 462,869

'Auto Trends' Remembers Lexus First Black Female Car Dealer (1943 - 2024)

Car Dealer Ellenae Fairhurst (Photo Credit: TLMDA)

While It’s been widely reported that women influence over 85 percent of today’s car sales, still, this group only owns less than 1,100 out of the approximate 17,000 new-car dealerships in America. When we examine ethnic women, they own approximately 86 stores, according to the National Automobile Dealer Association and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers.

And, as far as Black women, they barely register on the radar. This group represents less than a tenth of 1 percent of total new car dealerships.

Ironically, in a traditional African American household, Black women are responsible for 51 percent of last year’s new-vehicle registrations, slightly outpacing Black men.

'Auto Trends' Talks With The Black History Maker Steering The Lexus Brand

Dejuan Ross, Lexus U.S. general manager, is posing with the all-new GX. (Photo Credit: Toyota)

When the Lexus brand was birthed by Toyota in 1989, our guest Dejuan Ross, was still in high school. Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and BMW were the luxury elites at the time.

Like Lexus, Acura and Infiniti were also launching their luxury nameplates. This was an opportunity for Toyota, Honda and Nissan to move their brands upmarket with the hopes of rivaling the American and European legacy makes.

Decades later, Lexus has done just that. In fact, it has pulled ahead of both Acura and Infiniti, whom both currently lag a flagship coupe and sedan in their portfolio.

2024 Lexus RX 450h AWD: The Luxury Brand’s Midsize Crossover Adds A Plug-In

Highlight: When parking on the street, the RX can detect if a vehicle or bicycle is approaching from the rear, preventing the inside occupants from operating the door.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $76,765 

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; back up camera; a stability control system; pre-collision system; rain detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; lane tracing assist system; lane departure with steering assist; intelligent high beam headlamps; a front collision warning system; a road sign assist; an automatic braking system; blind spot electronic monitor with a rear traffic alert system; a daytime cyclist detection system; rain-sensing windshield wipers; side mirrors with integrated turn lamps; and a first aid kit

Its Shop Time Mondays: Chevy, Ford, GMC, Hyundai And Toyota Are Recalling Over 586,000 Vehicles

Unexpected vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V125000

Manufacturer Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Components POWER TRAIN

Potential Number of Units Affected 280,663

Summary

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Tundra, Tundra Hybrid, Lexus LX600, and 2023-2024 Sequoia Hybrid vehicles. Unexpected vehicle movement may occur when the vehicle is in neutral and the brakes are not applied.

2024 Lexus UX 250h F Sport: The Brand’s Entry-Level Performance Crossover

Highlight: The UX is Lexus’ entry-level vehicle.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $46,960 (Base Model UX 250: $36,690)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; a back up camera; a lane tracing assist system; a lane departure alert system; a road sign assist system; automatic high beam highlights; and a tire pressure sensor

2024 Lexus NX 350h Luxury AWD: The Luxury Brand’s Compact Hybrid Crossover

Highlight: The NX is now available as a plug-in.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $57,230 (Base Model NX 250: $44,615)

Seating Capacity: 4

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; a lane departure warning system; a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert with steering assist; a lane trace assist system; automatic high beams; an electronic blind spot monitor with a rear cross traffic alert; a rear camera; a vehicle stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and race inspired paddle shifters

Its Shop Time Mondays: Lexus, Mercedes-Benz And Toyota Are Recalling Approximately 1 Million 2020-2024 Model Year Vehicles

OCS Sensors May Short Circuit

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V865000

Manufacturer Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Components AIR BAGS

Potential Number of Units Affected 999,901

The President Of Toyota And Lexus North American Design Talks To 'Auto Trends'

Kevin Hunter, who is wearing the blue sweater, gathers with a few members of his design team to examine the all-new 2024 Tacoma. (Photo Credit: TMC)

Kevin Hunter, the president of Toyota Motor Corporation's U.S. design studio, California's Calty Design Research, talks one-on-one with Auto Trends with JeffCars.com, the only multicultural syndicated automotive program in North America. 

Hunter, a Michigan native, also oversees production and advanced designs for one of the world's top automotive manufacturers, at studios in California and Michigan.

Hunter, who is the first and only American to head TMC's North American designs, has served as president since 2007. For over four decades, he has been imagining concepts and creating final production ready vehicles both as a designer and a leader for Toyota and Lexus.

2023 Lexus LC 500h: The Brand’s Flagship Luxury Hybrid Coupe

2023 Lexus LC 500h (Photo Credit: JeffCars.com)

Highlight: The hybrid coupe has a fuel driving range of 644 miles on a full tank of gasoline.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $ 118,260  Base Model MSRP: $98,850 (non hybrid model)

Seating Capacity: 2 (rear seating for small kids)

Standard Safety Features: ABS; a rear back up camera; a pre collision system with pedestrian detection; a lane keep assist system; a lane departure alert system with steering assist; a radar activated cruise control system; a first aid kit; a tire pressure monitoring system; a temporary spare tire; a blind spot monitor system; heated auto dimming outside rearview mirrors; and a rear cross traffic alert system

2023 Lexus RZ 450e Luxury AWD Prototype: The Brand’s First All-Electric Vehicle

Highlight: The RZ is available as an AWD model only.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $65,740 (Base Model: $59,650)

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; a traction control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; a lane departure warning system; a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert with steering assist; a lane trace assist system; automatic high beams; an electronic blind spot monitor with a rear cross traffic alert; a rear camera; a vehicle stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and headlamp washer

Its Shop Time Mondays: Toyota And Lexus Are Recalling 45,000 Plug-In RAV4s And NX450h

DC-DC Converter May Fail and Short Circuit

A short circuit can cause the DC-DC converter to overheat, increasing the risk of a vehicle fire.

NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V478000

Manufacturer Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Components ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Potential Number of Units Affected 43,442

2024 Mazda CX-90 Premium Plus AWD: The Brand’s All-New Flagship Crossover

Highlight: A plug-in (PHEV) model is available.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $61,920 (Base Model): $40,970

Seating Capacity: 6-8 (depending on trim)

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; AWD; hill decent control; hill launch accent; off-road traction assist; tailer stability control; rearview camera; rear cross traffic alert; lane keep assist system; a lane departure warning system; a blind spot monitor; and an automatic brake hold feature

Standard Equipment (Select AWD):  19-inch wheels; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a three zone ventilation system; a leather wrapped gear selector; an illuminated entry system; a push button information system; a power driver’s seat with lumbar support; leather-like seating; and a 10-inch infotainment system

2023 Lexus LX600 Ultra Luxury: The Brand’s Flagship SUV

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $132,250 (Base Model: $90,815)

Highlight: The Ultra Luxury trim is outfitted with one rear reclining rear seat with a footrest.

Seating Capacity: 4 or 7, depending on trim

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a stability control system; pre-collision system with pedestrian detection system; a radar activated cruise control system; a lane departure warning system; a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert with steering assist; a lane trace assist system; automatic high beams; an electronic blind spot monitor with a rear cross traffic alert; a rear camera; a vehicle stability control system; a tire pressure monitoring system; and race inspired paddle shifters