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 best sedan in the world - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By ZACK - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Smoothness, quietness, power and overall build quality.

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  Lexus the best but be more original - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Michael in Atlanta - May 26 - 2:00 am

  I love this car. Waited for nearly two months for my Ultra Lux and Im thrilled. They gave me a GS300 while waiting for mine to come in. Nice car also! You wont find this kind of luxury and reliability in any European car. Why would you spend more just to say you spent more?

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  The Lexus I bought seven months ago - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By victor tsung - May 24 - 10:00 am

  The most comfortable car to drive and to own. If this is a wagon with awd I wouldnt want any other car.

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  QUALITY ABOVE ALL OTHERS - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By BEVERLY BENJAMIN - May 15 - 10:00 am

  THIS IS MY 8TH LEXUS.....THAT SHOULD SPEAK FOR ITSELF. I HAVED JUST ABOUT EVERY CAR THEY MAKE......THIS TRULY THE ONE TO STAY WITH.

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  My LS430 - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By MichaelR18 - May 15 - 10:00 am

  The car is simply the best car I have ever had. It is impecably built. It is impecably designed. I is just a flawless automobile. I love it.

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  Superb car - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Andrej Skerjanec - May 14 - 2:56 pm

  I bought it with 28K on the odometer. Now I have 130K. Car has been virtually trouble free. I do regular oil changes (every 5K) and standard maintenance as per the manual. I recently changed from 93 octane fuel to 89 and Im now getting between 24-25 mpg in mixed driving and 27 mpg on the highway at an avg. speed of 80 mph. I noticed a slight improvement in fuel economy with no change in performance. I had no problems with a car so far, not a single minor thing went bad. This car has been over designed and it shows; you feel like itll go forever. I moved to Lexus from Audi, which was a great car to drive as well, but it started falling apart after 35K. I use my Lexus as a daily commuter.

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  Gotta Love It! - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By CDSouthard - May 7 - 2:00 am

  This is an automobile that is without flaw.

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  Finest Luxury Car Made - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Lexus Cruiser - April 26 - 2:03 pm

  Have owned my LS 430 for about 6 months. This is the best car in the world. Super comfortable seats front/rear. Superb fit and finish. Quiet as a tomb. Killer Levinson stereo - best I have ever heard. Efficient motor can get almost 30 mpg on long trips. Navigation is easy, cant live without it now. Very quick off the line and can cruise over 100 mph silently. I go for rides just for fun/relaxation. Looks very classy too. Clients love it.

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  bang for buck - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By tony shaw - April 25 - 10:00 am

  after owning all types of autos i find the 430 to be the most complete vehicle i have ever driven.

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  LEXUS MAKES THE BEST CARS - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By LS4 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  There is nothing better than to own Lexus. The car combines all the best qualities of luxury, performance and reliability.