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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  WOW!! - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By HIGHAUDIO - November 3 - 9:56 am

  I wanted the best big luxury vehicle for the money. Its a sleeper. Amazingly quiet. Ive had people tell me they cant even hear the engine when the car is on. At 100+ mph, the LS 430 commands the road. If I had to buy another car, then Id get another LS 430 in a heartbeat!

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  Touring Treasure! - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Joan - November 1 - 9:07 pm

  This car has engineering for comfort and safety and luxury without excess. For its original sticker price a fantastic value. I bought this as a clean used car with 44000 miles and it is at 68000 miles just like a brand new car. I upgraded the way it handles continuous curve driving, by my choice of tire. Really a dream car to own.

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  GREAT GREAT CAR - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By BILL SCHACHTER - October 20 - 10:00 am

  WHAT A RIDE ESPECIALLY WITH NAVAGATION SYSTEM AND MARK LEVINSON RADIO,A DREAM TO OWN.MADE CROSS COUNTRY TRIP,FELT LIKE U ARE RIDING ON AIR,SOUND PROOF. HANDLES LIKEA BABY TOY

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  Best piece of machinery i ever owned - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By hf hunter - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Great ride, handling, uncluttered instrumentation, more than enough power, lots of trunk space -- non onstentatious styling.

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  Not Quite A Mercedes. - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By Allan - September 25 - 11:50 am

  After careful consideration between another Mercedes S-Class, an Infiniti Q45, and the LS 430, I chose Lexus. Never having owned one, and with all the hype about the brands quality and service record, I found it to be the best choice. I was very pleased with my initial period of ownership. The performance was great for the MPG I averaged around town (compared to my 03 S500). The trade-off in power didnt disappoint. The cost of maintenance was also dramatically lower than the Benz. The vehicle has been mechanically sound so far and I credit that to Toyotas years of powertrain technology innovations. The only part that is lacking on this car is, in my opinion, a sub-par interior build quality.

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  sensibility - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By mel - September 12 - 1:30 pm

  This car glides on butter-very comfy to drive. If you like to feel the road, the jerky motions and tossing around on your seat, this is not for you. Most sensible and reliable car on this planet. You can pay more for better acceleration and sharper looks, but why? I am comfortable with myself and have no needs for bigger ego from a fancy type. I can live in this car! No others provide the same refinement.

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  IM MARRIED TO LEXUS FOREVER!! - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By leemz179 - August 29 - 1:09 am

  I bought this car after my 1999 LS got totaled. I also had a 93 LS, 98 GS, and 93 ES before. All great and reliable cars, with the ES being the least reliable if that even makes sense. I was in love with the 99, really loved that car, but after picking this one up in New Jersey at Lawrenceville Lexus, its just all around greatness. Purchased in December at 112k, it is now at 120k. Besides the 120k I just did, all Ive changed was the front brakes, rotors. Very comfortable, economical(20-24 MPG HWY/CITY combined), fast when you need it to, and hugs the road pretty well. The only quirk I have is the Mark Levinson speakers. The front speakers have blown, and I replaced sub with Polk Audio

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By GP - August 22 - 9:20 pm

  No reliability issues - except a driver side door lock problem which the dealer covered with good will warranty. A very quiet and a very soft ride. Everything works very smoothly. ML sound system is awesome! Fit and finish is top notch. A/C cools the car very well for the front and rear seat passengers. Mileage is amazingly good for a V8. I get about 18-19 in the city and 26-28 in hwy.

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  Lexus 430 is great! - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By admwillie - August 14 - 10:00 am

  Not much can beat it. I hope Lexus keeps the price in check. It is a great luxury car at the current price but Lexus would loose buyers at higher prices.

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  Quality Without Compromise! - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Eric Sherman - August 9 - 10:00 am

  The car is so quiet, your ears feel like theyre plugged! You think the engine has died, until you look at the tach! I hit the gas hard while getting on the freeway yesterday and was over 80MPH in just a few seconds. The GPS Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio package is first class!