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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A Great Car - 2004 Lexus LS 430
By RonPar - July 21 - 2:00 amPerformance, reliability, comfort, ease of entry (front and rear), and economy for a large car meets or beats cars in the $85000 plus bracket. The service is top notch.
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Best Luxury Car Value - 2002 Lexus LS 430
By Scott - July 9 - 3:16 pmDoing my homework paid off. I wanted the best luxury vehicle for the money and I found it with the LS 430. Smooth, powerful, quiet and comfortable are all great words to describe this car. Sitting at a stop light, you wont know the engine is running. At 70+ mph, the LS 430 glides down the highway. For my money, there is no option. Lexus clearly makes the best full size luxury sedan.
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no need to buy the warranty - 2003 Lexus LS 430
By eazege - July 7 - 3:10 amMy son was born and after much research i bought my wife an 03 LS430 with 90k.Purchased a two year warranty from the dealership which i never used.I have had the car for 3yrs now..not even a mere check engine light.This is the best luxury car for the money period.We love it and compared to benz or a bmw(which i still own )he makes them look like Divas that are all bark no bite.
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LX430 - 2004 Lexus LS 430
By ROBCOR - June 2 - 2:00 amTHIS CAR IS A CUT ABOVE THE MERCEDES,BMW AND ALL OTHER LUXURY CARS IN ITS CLASS. BUILT WITH CARE EVERY ITEM IN IT IS WELL THOUGHT OUT,AND FUNCTIONAL.
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Lexus -vs- Mercedes - 2004 Lexus LS 430
By Stephen J. Miller - May 28 - 10:00 amMy wife and I have owned 9 Mercedes since 1980, and we now have our 3rd Lexus-a 2004 LS430 which is simply the BEST automobile we have ever owned. Having owned over 50 cars since 1951 it is just a delight to see that the automotive world has risen to the heights of comfort, quality, fun and reliability that our beautiful LS430 provides. Our next purchase will be to replace our 2000 Mercedes E430 with a newly designed 2006 Lexus GS430-We are totally sold on being Lexus owners from this time on!
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LS430 - 2004 Lexus LS 430
By Niceputt - May 23 - 10:00 amBest, imo, of any car under $100k. Superb in quality, handling (at 100mph rides/handles like 55 on new pavement), and reliability, except for two items that a dealer in North California refuses to deal with.
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best car I have owned - 2001 Lexus LS 430
By jp1 - May 14 - 10:00 amI have owned 3 lexus vehicles and the LS 430 is one I cannot find any faults with. There are more features on the car than I can list here, and the reliability, as with all Lexus vehicles, is excellent. The car is fun to drive, reliable and very, very luxurious.
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Its still to new - 2005 Lexus LS 430
By Douglas Weiss - May 10 - 1:16 pmWhat a wonderful car. This is the kind of a car you want to get on the highways and drive. The ride is smooth and quiet, with all the power you could want for a luxury car.
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Performance - 2005 Lexus LS 430
By david h. sager - May 2 - 3:03 amThis is a truly great automobile. Quality is unsurpassed, trim, fit are done right. The engine is the finest I have ever driven--quite powerful and never shows strain. only regret is I didnt reach this level sooner!
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Brake replacement needed every 40,000 - 2003 Lexus LS 430
By lexygirl - April 23 - 3:43 pmI absolutely adore the LS 430. I owned an Explorer pre LS and I will never go back. Maintenance on my LS 430 is less than I paid on my Ford! It drives like a dream in town & the hwy. The gas mileage is pretty good for the wt of the vehicle and everyone is always comfortable. I feel very safe and secure & do not worry about being stranded. I put a set of brakes on front and rear at 34,000 and now at 76,500 they are telling me I need front and rear brakes again. Leaves me wondering-shouldnt brakes last longer. I am not a 2 ft driver nor do I slam the brakes at stops.The other issue I have is the trunk will not stay open on its own. Other than these two issues I am SOLD on this brand.
