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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  ultimate smooooothy - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By David Pugh - October 18 - 2:00 am

  When first shopping for a replacement for jaguar XK8 I never expected to end up with the LS430.I wanted something different, drove many different models. Finally drove Ls430 and came to conclusion for the money this was the best available. Bought the base model with perforated leather (A/C) seats, chrome rims, sunroof. Love it, great car, no problems at all. Dealer is superb, third car purchased there. Exterior is a little frumpy but excells everywhere else.

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  Excellent Car-All Mistakes Are Minor - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By The Yo - September 22 - 2:00 am

  This is a great car! It is a must-buy! There are a few minor details (mistakes) though. Its ability to turn isnt as good as the other Lexus models and they kind of screwed up the exterior design. Luckily, the controls arent nearly as confusing as the Mercedes-Benz controls. Also, I have to say that this car is the most addictive car ever created. Once you get in, you wont want to get out. It is a very silent car with a great engine and a really good fuel economy. Look for exterior and engine improvements in the 2004 model.

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  Lexus Never Disappoints! - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By KarXPert - September 10 - 3:43 pm

  We have owned top of the line Lexuss and loved all of them especially the LS Sedan and the LX SUV. They have been a joy to have and will recommend to anyone!!!

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  A Superb Car - 2006 Lexus LS 430
  By John - September 6 - 6:20 pm

  I shopped for quite a while for a used, mint shape LS 430 and found one in Florida (a 2006) with only 5K miles and the Ultra Luxury package. It is an incredibly comfortable car which pampers everyone inside. It is a fabulous "trip car" and I enjoy the laser cruise feature on the highway. The back seat goodies on the Ultra (massaging seats, special rear AC, reclining seats, radio controls) are very popular with my passengers. Everything about this car is impressive to me and far better than any other car Ive ever owned.

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  A Wonderful Luxury Experience - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Sam - September 3 - 11:46 pm

  This is my 4th LS car. Normally I like to change brands when a buy a car, but IÂ’ve owned a Lexus since 1992. (Still have the original LS too.) I had a 2002 LS 430 with only 25K on it, but the new toys and styling changes made me get one. This is a great car pure and simple. The interior is wonderful and the leather is better than my last one. The Backup Camera is great along with the Bluetooth. It has a solid presence to it on the road. Based on my prior Lexus experience I have no doubt about the reliability. My 1992 has not caused any problems despite its age. My 98 and 02 LSs were also trouble free. The only concern is the effect of the 18-inch tires on the ride of the car.

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  Top car under $100k - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By ClayfromCarlisle - August 25 - 10:00 am

  Lexus seems to have the perfect luxury car recipe for people who are not satisfied with Cadillacs/Lincolns (too soft) or BMWs, Mercedes, or Audis (too edgy). This car has every conceivable comfort feature on the market today, and it is very user friendly as compared to the German makes. If you are seeking the ultimate driving experience, pass on this car. If you desire an extremely reliable, user friendly, automobile, then the LS belongs in your garage.

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  Our experience over 7.5 years - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By bob - August 7 - 6:33 am

  We have never had a mechanical problem with this car since the day we purchased it. We did have to replace the stereo amp, but in 7.5 years we felt we couldnt complain. Great car, great dealership.

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  Land Yacht - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By impressive - August 1 - 1:06 am

  Bought a 2004 LS 430 used. BEST car Ive ever driven, PERIOD. the engine is smooth, the ride is effortless and getting over 28 mpg on the highway with power to spare. Could not be any happier with this car.

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  BEST CAR EVER DROVE - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By DIANE CHRISTIAN - July 30 - 10:00 am

  COMPLIMENTS GALORE ON APPEARENCE AND RIDE

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  Love My Lexus - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Ryans Mimi - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my 5th Lexus and they just keep getting better and better. Every time I buy a new one I think this is the best, and the next one goes up a notch.