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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  What more do you want? - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Lexussailor - April 3 - 2:00 am

  This car si the best car that Ive ever owned. It has a ride quality equal or better than cars thousands of dollars more expensive. Any trip short or long is a pleasure.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By rubber - April 3 - 2:00 am

  Smooth ride, quick acceleration, great sound system.

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  Best car in the world - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Savio - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Drives like a dream. Silky smooth engine. Ultra quite cabin and better ride quality than anything Ive ever Driven! Way to go Lexus, Worth every dollar spent!

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  Fabulous! Absolutely PERFECT! - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By leebarnhouse - March 29 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely fabulous car. There are no words to describe how nice this vehicle is. Absolutely the best luxury vehicle on the road. I HIGHLY recommend it!

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  Interior art gallery - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Col. Bob Olson - March 28 - 8:36 pm

  Im an octogenarian so when I give up driving myself I know the rear seat has plenty of room and comfort.

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  Reliable Lux Vehicle - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Toan Tran - March 15 - 1:23 pm

  Bought Vehicle with 84k miles on it. Regular oil change from Lexus, 93 Octane gas when filling up. Car drives very smooth. Vehicle has a lot of power and fuel economy is very good for this big vehicle. The driver seat is very comfy. Problems with the car, the subwoofer is rattling when there is bass, windshield makes high pitch noise above 75mph, my front left door actuator door lock does not lock anymore. I have to lock it manually. Vehicle has the Modern Package.

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  Best Car I Have Owned - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Volunteer - February 27 - 2:20 pm

  This Lexus LS 430 has more advanced features than its peers. ie: blue tooth tecnology, swivel headlights, XM ready, Quietest interior in town and country, smooth acceleration but has the power if required. Navigation system is best by far than Mercedes & BMW both of which I have owned.

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  Best value for the buck! - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By cr - February 27 - 10:10 am

  The vehicle is a dream to drive. Excellent on road trips. Smooth as silk. The gas consumption was not bad at all, even at higher speeds. Comfortable for all.

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  Headlights - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By Barbara - February 22 - 2:00 am

  I find the headlights dangerous. They cast a shadow and it is difficult to see the road when the road is unlit. The dealership says they cannot be adjusted. Im very disappointed that such an expensive car could have such a bad defect.

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  2006 LS 430. - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By Leonard A. Meyer - February 13 - 4:20 pm

  This is my fourth LS 430. They have all been the best cars I have ever owned. Prior tot he Lexus I drove Mercedes for twelve years and the difference is amazing. There has never been a better auomobile than the LS 430 in my opinion. I bought the 2006 because I had seen pictures of the 2007 and didnt like the styling as much.