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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  One of the Great Ones - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Doc - July 7 - 11:50 am

  Ive owned this car for 2 years. Ive put 20k on it, and the only trouble has been the battery. Ive owned 6 s class Mercedes, a 5 series Bmer, 2q45, a qx4 and loads of caddys and lincolns. They all have their strong points. This is my 2nd Lexus, and it has been trouble free. Time for another Lexus.

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  Perfect except for a few minor items - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Scott Michael - June 26 - 10:00 am

  i wish that the voice control system for the NAV and climate would learn my commands a little bit better. I also wish that there was a options package level between the custom and luxury setting that would sacrifice some of the backseat improvement and still leave some of the performance features. But, these are pretty picky items in an almost perfect car. If yourre having a mid-life crisis...get hair plugs and a Ferrari...If you want a wonderful ride in a car that is very comfortable, fun to drive and reasonably prices, buy a LS $#)

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  LOVE THIS CAR!! - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By smashingk - June 18 - 11:10 pm

  I test drove several cars including Mercedes S class, BMWs, Jaguars. etc. I chose this car because of reliability, price and the whole package. I bought the ultra luxury package which comes with a massager in the back seat, navigation, sound system, smart key, parking sensors, back auto shades, etc. The handling is great in this car. I have left my keys in the car twice at the shopping mall cause I couldnt hear the engine running. This car also gets great gas on the highway. I can drive from Atlanta to northern VA on a full tank of gas. I was very impressed. I never had any problems.

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  Comfortable around town cruiser - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By V - June 3 - 7:16 pm

  I bought the LS430 for family and guests to have something to drive around town in comfortably and safely. If you want a real comfortable and sports sedan buy the Audi S8!

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  Great but not Fantastic - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By carperson - May 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive had the car for one week now and I have driven about 350 miles and have read through and figured out all the bells and whistles on the car. My previous car was a BMW 328i 2000 automatic 4 door sedan in titanium silver. I think this is a great car. It is extremely expensive however. Since I was buying an 04 in 03 I paid $3500 over sticker with an auto broker. However, I got a GREAT deal on the lease with a money factor of only .00164! I didnt want the smart key ($1K) option, but it seemed that all the cars with the Modern Luxury Package came with it. One problem with the smart key is that it interferes with remote start - nice for the winter.

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  Lexus - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By dfuihuioj - May 18 - 2:00 am

  It is awsome and has the best handling in all of the world.

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  6 month experience - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By bob986s - May 17 - 10:00 am

  A volume button on steering wheel would also help as well as the 3 current ones for the Radio etc.

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  LEXUS - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By VICTOR - April 24 - 10:00 am

  I LOVE THE AUTO

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  Luxury at a reasonable price - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Ed Howard - April 2 - 7:43 pm

  This is the most quiet vehicle I have ever been in. Not good in snow because of the rear wheel drive. Other than snow the handling is excellent. The controls should be simplified. My wife hates the confusion which is OK with me as she prefers to drive the Ford Explorer! I just replaced the brakes, rotors and tires. This is the first money spent in the 2 years I owned the car.

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  Perfection - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By display? - March 24 - 2:46 am

  I bought a 2002 lexus 430 and after driving this for 3 years and 18,000 miles, I thought nothing could surpass it but in Jan I sold it and bought a 2005 430 and found out they had actually been able to improve the ride. This is the ultimate, the gas mileage is 27-28 mpg on the highway. The nav system! well Im still working on this, but getting there. An unbelievable car.