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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  The Ultra Luxury Edition Nightmare - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Nestor - November 2 - 2:53 am

  I love the car. The interior design seems to be flawless. The smoothness, the quiet ride and comfort are all excellent. A minor problem is I keep hitting the audio button when I am on the touch screen for navigation. I have been to the dealership for a suspension problem four times and so far I have had no luck of getting the problem resolved. The car is sitting higher on one side. The air suspension is a very complicated system since it is controlled by the computer. The Service Manager told me that it is normal to have a variation of up to one inch. The height of the car on one side is much apparently higher. I measured it close to 3/4 of an inch. Consider this comment before buying one.

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  All But the Transmission - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By FunkyTrans - October 6 - 12:40 pm

  I traded a 2004 ES330 for an 05 LS430 because of the jerky transmission shifting. The LS isnt much better, at a slow roll, shifting is very erratic. Again, the mechanics say its "normal". For $60K the transmission (or computer that controls it) shouldnt be "confused". Sadly, my $15K Dodge pick-up shifts much better (seamless) for a fourth of the cost. Big disappointment.

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  Great Car, But Can I Have My Caddie Back - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By JRB - August 8 - 2:00 am

  The car is amazing. Ive got 2000 miles on it now and there have been NO issues; perfect in every way. If you like gadgets and electonics, this is the car for you. And even better, everything works as it should. And did I say quiet? Oh, and perhaps I forgot to mention that the ride is like skating on smooth ice, yet sporty enough to get off the dime quickly and take a tight turn on command? Styling is nice, but not distinctive. My 94 Fleetwood had a distinctive style that stands out in the crowd. The Lexus looks like any other import. The LS430 is an outstanding car. But will my next car be a Lexus? The jury is still out...I still think about my Caddie.

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  My New LS430 - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Jim - July 25 - 11:53 pm

  Problems: 1) drivers seat not comfortable - feels like you sit in a hole and perforated seats dont permit you to move easily. 2) No good way to run XM antenna in the trunk. 3) Hard to see orange letters on display (too small). 4) Ride too hard with low profile tires.

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  Not as good as they say - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Michael OBrien - June 16 - 10:56 pm

  Whilst the Lexus is a superb car it is not perfect and I have had numerous problems which the dealership were not very cooperative in dealing with. These include a sun roof which rattles at low speed, spurious warnings from the low tire pressure sensors, and a time lag on the accelerator.

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  I guess I got a lemon. - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Jack Fitzgerald - April 7 - 3:33 am

  This is my third new Lexus. I still drive my first, a 1993 SC300. 177,000 miles and other than routing maintenance, no problems. My 2001 is a good car in a lot of ways but I have had many problems with this vehicle. The steering column need 3 parts to make it right, Both side view mirrors needed to be replaced, both trunk struts needed to be replaced, One of the factory wheels developed a crack around the lug nut hole and needed to be replaced. The drivers seat needed to be repaired. All of the above was done under warranty but as I only have 60,000 miles on my car now, I can only expect more and very expensive repair work that wont be covered. I think Ill look for another make vehicle.

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  Lexus - a dependable automobile - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By gaz - February 28 - 10:00 am

  The Lexus LS430 is a very dependable and economical vehicle to operate. Although not as eye pleasing as my former Lexus LS 400, the ride is much more exciting and more similar to the Mercedes. I have owned and operated this vehicle approximately 1.5 years without any problems. My only complaint is the LS400 doesnt look that different from the Toyota Avalon which is less than half the price.

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  good car, design flaws - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By spam - February 9 - 1:46 am

  This is my 2nd ls430 in a row. There is too much wind noise and the dealership, although accomodating (they even replaced the wind shield) could not find the problem. They took out the occilating front vents (great feature), the message recorder and the emergency sat link. All missed very much. The seats are less comfortable. This is my first "ultra luxury" package, and my last.