Overview & Reviews

Since its inception, the Lexus luxury division has been steadfast and relentless in its pursuit of, well, perfection. A challenging benchmark to be sure, but one the brand has been exceedingly successful at meeting with home run after home run. The original first-generation LS 400 was a smash hit that quickly rose to the head of the luxury sedan class with a large and loyal owner base and a slew of industry awards.

For the mid-'90s second-generation makeover, Lexus was wise enough to leave well enough alone and not fix what wasn't broken. So when a third-generation redesign was slated for 2001, exactly how would Lexus better its top-rated sedan in the premium luxury segment? The answer was to swing for the fences yet again with more of everything: design edginess, interior room and comfort, performance, safety and technology.

The resulting Lexus LS 430 was one of the finest luxury sedans available anywhere. A two-time winner of an Edmunds.com Editors' Most Wanted award, the LS 430 boasted a top-notch interior, a superb ride, excellent build quality and an impressive array of features. The only thing that gave shoppers pause at the time was the car's price. Loaded with options, this was the first LS-series car to finally reach the price levels of premium European luxury sedans.

With price depreciation having set in, that's less of an issue now. As a previously owned model, the Lexus LS 430 provides the same exceptional luxury sedan experience as it did when it was new. For shoppers in this segment, especially ones wanting a luxury sedan that's a bit more demure than its German rivals, the LS 430 is an excellent choice.

Most Recent Lexus LS 430

The Lexus LS 430 was produced for the 2001-'06 model years. As a redesign of the previous LS 400, it featured a 4.3-liter V8 engine, a freshened aerodynamic shape and a new suspension that offered greater stability and a smoother ride. The new LS 430 also offered a richer, more stylish and roomier interior with advanced safety and luxury features.

The sedan's V8 provided 278 horsepower and 312 pound-feet of torque. Initially, power flowed to the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control. (In 2004, Lexus upgraded the transmission to a six-speed.) A full complement of airbags came standard, as did antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control, the VSC stability control system and tire-pressure monitoring.

Naturally, plenty of luxury features came standard as well, including dual-zone climate control (with air registers that swept back and forth), a 14-way power driver seat with memory positioning, cruise control, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, auto-dimming mirrors, an in-dash CD changer and a power trunk closer. Many used LS 430s will also have the optional upgraded leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, moonroof, voice-activated navigation system and 240-watt Mark Levinson premium audio system.

Additional options included rear-window and rear-door sunshades, parking assist, rear seat heaters and power door closers. The Lexus LS 430 was also available with adaptive cruise control, a smoother-riding air suspension, power-adjustable rear seats and a separate rear air-conditioning system.

The cabin of the Lexus flagship was warm and inviting given its high-quality leather, abundance of rich walnut or maple trim, sharp electroluminescent gauges and wonderfully comfortable seats. It offered plenty of headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, and the large trunk held 20-plus cubic feet of luggage.

Serene in nearly all situations, the Lexus LS 430 excelled in both urban commuting and long-distance road trips. The suspension easily soaked up road irregularities, especially when equipped with the optional air suspension. Although they excelled in nearly all other areas, previous LS models weren't known for inspired driving dynamics -- and though capable in the curves, the LS 430 also did little to engage more passionate drivers. Therefore, if you expect some excitement from your luxury sedan, we think one of its European rivals will suit you better.

In terms of selecting a particular vintage of LS 430, there are only minor changes to be aware of. Nothing really happened until 2004 when the LS received a major midcycle update that consisted of mild exterior revisions, the aforementioned six-speed automatic transmission, adaptive headlights, knee airbags for front occupants and a standard moonroof. New options included the Pre-Collision system, SmartAccess keyless start, a Sport package with 18-inch wheels and an enhanced navigation system with a rear back-up camera, expanded voice recognition functionality and Bluetooth phone capability. The upgraded Mark Levinson stereo, also part of that refresh year, provided optimized sound for different seating positions, and satellite radio was also offered.

User Reviews:

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  I love this car - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By mchristiansen - January 14 - 9:35 am

  I must admit, Ive only owned it for 5 days, but Im so excited about it. We owned a 96 Cadillac Deville, which we traded in when we bought the Lexus. It was a great old car....comfortable, roomy, and built like a tank. Even though Im nearing being an old lady, I wanted something more up to date...including some more recent technology that wasnt available in the cadillac.

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  Outstanding Luxury Vehicle! Unmatched! - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Dukevonage - January 3 - 10:00 am

  This was an outstanding all-around luxury car, with both power and comfort levels exceeding the Audi A8, the BMW 7 series, and the Mercedes S class. Surprisingly, it is several thousand less than these inferiour German competitors.

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  reliability - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By mrvino - December 28 - 10:00 am

  a damned good car

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  LS 430 is pure comfort - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By L & E - December 17 - 6:10 pm

  This is our 4th Lexus LS since 1990. The 2005 Lexus LS 430 has exceeded our expectations. Many unique upgrade features make it a pleasure to drive. It is quiet, smooth and comfortable. The body is tight and has a nice finish. High test fuel economy is not great so far. Original equipment high performance all season Dunlop tires give a quiet ride and good handling, but according to the manufacturer, are predicted to last not more than 20,000 mi.

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  WOW, what a machine - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Wayne - December 8 - 9:33 pm

  I have owned this car for seven years and have enjoyed every minute. We have owned some of the finest sedans and this car takes all honors! We just finished a 3000 mile road trip and averaged 24 miles per gallon and of course, had zero trouble. This Ultra cruise control makes long trips very enjoyable, nearly drives itself!

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  And its still a 96 S-Class - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By CarLover_1 - December 8 - 10:00 am

  You would except to buy a unique and original vehicle when you aiming to spend $60K. However, with Lexus LS you always get an exact copy of 6-8 year- old Mercedes for the price of the current model. In my opinion, it’s just pathetic that the “luxury” automaker copies old competitors styles. Essentially, Toyota is meant to be cheap but reliable car and this is what Lexus is. I might have leather seats and decent audio system, but it’s still a Toyota, not a Mercedes or Jag in any way. Personally, for $60K I better get the original, that the 2-generations- behind replica.

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  PERFECT - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By DADDYMALU - December 2 - 2:00 am

  THE LS430 IS THE BEST LUXURY VEHICLE FOR THE DOLLAR.....

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  My Best Car Ever - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Benjamin Aban - November 26 - 2:00 am

  I find this car very quiet and powerful when needed. Cruising one time at 120 mph, although illegal here in the USA made me believe that this car is like a car without any wings.

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  Japanese Excellence - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By eblue - November 26 - 2:00 am

  Total dedication to pursuit of high reliability (look at jd power ratings- consecutive years of being at the top for quality) and luxury (precision and beauty of wood; leather texture excellent; seats are firm and equal germans; buttons galore; shades; vanity mirrors; oscillating vents) coupled with focus on technical advantages over the germans (low cd;high mpg;ulev;low db;best dvd nav)

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  Lexus ? - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By M Van - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Nice car in general but has a hesitation when accelerating!