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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  04 LS430 Bang for the buck - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By bob G. - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Smooth, extra quiet, 16-18 MPG around town. What a car. Maybe not as fast or as nimble but who cares when you are riding in the utmost of quiet comfort. Not much out there like it.

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  The Best Car on the Road - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Rosemarie Welding - March 21 - 10:00 am

  The Lexus is by far the best vehicle on the road. It is a joy to drive and is also very pleasing to the eye. Being the former owner of a Jaguar, I can say unequivocally that this car is so much more reliable, so much more comfortable and last but not least more quiet than a Jaguar. Kudos to the design genius that kept women in mind while designing this car. You thought of everything from the seat adjustments to the vanity lighted mirrors. Just pure enjoyment!!

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  Best - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Percy - March 17 - 2:00 am

  A pleasure -- and a remarkable improvement over its predecessor, already a superb car. Amazingly quick in the ECT mode. How can this big a car move that fast? Responsive steering that lets you know about the raod surface. Wonderful suspension with the eurotuned version. Grand sound system (the Levinson).

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  Avoid at all Costs - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By lexuslemon - February 26 - 11:16 am

  I have always owned Lexus cars, but the newer models have gotten so unnecessarily complex that they are prone to VERY expensive failures. I could go on and on, but take for example the most recent failure of the Navigation unit. At only 28k pampered miles, the screen just up and dies. Now, not only does this screen control the GPs, but it also controls the climate control/defrost, rear view camera, Stereo including radio/CD changer. So this one gadget failing has rendered the car undriveable (no defrost.) To get it replaced is 6k....SIX thousand dollars (and not covered by warranty even though the car only has 30k miles!!) This is BAD engineering plain and simple.

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  Fantastic - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By GK - February 21 - 6:40 pm

  This vehicle is amazing. The ride quality, performance characteristics, and creature comforts make this easily one of the finest automobiles ever made. Smooth acceleration, with the ability to change driving modes, and a stunning ride that is both ultra-quiet and heart-pounding when necessary. The faster the car goes on the highway the smoother the ride gets, until you seem to be literally floating over the road. One truly has to be behind the wheel of this car to believe it. I purchased a 2002 Infiniti QX4 in 2004 for the same price I paid for my LS 430 in 2009. That car was a refrigerator on wheels compared to the LS 430. Talk about affordable luxury.

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  Lexus for life! - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By L. Simmons - February 20 - 2:36 pm

  This is my 3rd lexus and I cant say enough good things about it. Everyone who rides with me is so impressed with the smoothness of the ride; even Mercedes and BMW owners! I cant wait to get my next Lexus.

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  Lexus consistency - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By gotopless - February 11 - 10:00 am

  3rd Lexus purchase. The are the most reliable cars I have ever owned! (40 and counting)Service is OUTSTANDING, although it hasnt been back since the 1,000 checkup! The ultra has more for the passenger than the person that pays for it, is the only complaint. ( My kids LOVE IT!)

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  short and simple - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By crsballer007 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  The Lexus LS430 is a great sedan and i feel that it doesnt get enough credit with other luxury sedans. The LS is very reliable and comfortable on long trips.

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  Best Car Great Value - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By TukuCheng - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a BMW and have been following 530I and 745I for quite some time. I test drove both recently and finally decided to purchase a Lexus LS430. I am a technology guy and appreciate technologies that make sense. Lexus LS430 connects technologies with people perfectly. The ride was excellent even under aggressive driving that I enjoy. You can only admire Lexus for their extreme attention to details.

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  Ultimate Luxury Car - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By johnfsteph - January 11 - 2:00 am

  This is my sixth Lexus and it is the best one I have owned. From the interior to the way it handles (make sure you get one with the sports package) to the bluetooth technology. The LS430 drives so much better than the Mercedes E500 (which drives like a tank)... Buy the Lexus and with the money you save you can go to Europe!!!