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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  Right - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Ehsan - June 29 - 2:00 am

  Just trust it. Car hugs you. Its unbelievable great & imperissionable. Thanks to LEXUS.

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  Not as good as they say - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Michael OBrien - June 16 - 10:56 pm

  Whilst the Lexus is a superb car it is not perfect and I have had numerous problems which the dealership were not very cooperative in dealing with. These include a sun roof which rattles at low speed, spurious warnings from the low tire pressure sensors, and a time lag on the accelerator.

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  A worthwhile and enjoyable experience - 2005 Lexus LS 430
  By Professor - June 1 - 10:33 pm

  I purchased my LS 430 as a certified used Lexus and it had 17280 miles at the time of purchase. I am more than pleased with every aspect of the automobile. It is serene and powerful, yet it gets a respectable MPG considering its size and weight. It is exceptionally comfortable and a pleasure to drive.

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  Buy again.. after 200k more mile - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By Great car! - May 26 - 9:40 pm

  The only thing this car needs is 4 wheel drive. Otherwise, this car has everything you could possibly want. This is my second Lexus (LS 400). I bought both used. This one I bought for 22k and 60,000 miles. It will easily last to 200k and only go into shop for routine maintance.

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  LS430 w/Sport Suspension - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By incognito - April 30 - 10:00 am

  Very few people are aware how well this sporty model compares to BMWs & M-Benz. Handling & roadholding are superb. 18" tires stay glued to the road, regardless of undulations & nothing fazes it, inspiring enormous confidence. Unlike the std. models extra-plush ride, you know exactly what the road surface is like under you. Feedback is firm, but not harsh, making the driving experience very Lexus-like. However, you must enjoy sporty handling; if pure luxury is your thing, you probably shouldnt order this suspension. But if you want a great car that is also great fun to drive, this one is for you. Given 500hp, this would be the Best of the Best!

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  Awesome Luxury Car - 2002 Lexus LS 430
  By Duane - April 25 - 9:13 am

  I total love my Lexus 430! I have only had the car a month but it is hands down the best car I have ever owned. Just sold an Infiniti M45 haited the car. I have owned Mercedes and Cadillac but Lexus is hands down the best for the money. The Ultra Luxury package is awesome!!! You would pay 15K more on a Benz with the same equipment. I also got the Lexus warranty for 7 years and 100K! How can you go wrong! If you are looking for the best ride you have ever experienced for a reasonable price please look into the LS430. You cant go wrong!!!!!!!!!

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  What a great car - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By chbeyer - April 10 - 2:16 pm

  I finally upgraded my 95 LS 400 after 180K trouble free miles and bought a used LS 430 that looks new. What a car. The engine has tremendous power for a luxury car. The interior is stunning and the luxury accoutrements are wonderful. Lexus makes the best cars in the world. What a pleasure to drive. With Sinatras hits playing on the premium sound system whats not to like!

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  I guess I got a lemon. - 2001 Lexus LS 430
  By Jack Fitzgerald - April 7 - 3:33 am

  This is my third new Lexus. I still drive my first, a 1993 SC300. 177,000 miles and other than routing maintenance, no problems. My 2001 is a good car in a lot of ways but I have had many problems with this vehicle. The steering column need 3 parts to make it right, Both side view mirrors needed to be replaced, both trunk struts needed to be replaced, One of the factory wheels developed a crack around the lug nut hole and needed to be replaced. The drivers seat needed to be repaired. All of the above was done under warranty but as I only have 60,000 miles on my car now, I can only expect more and very expensive repair work that wont be covered. I think Ill look for another make vehicle.

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  Incredible machine - 2004 Lexus LS 430
  By Cyclogenesis - March 25 - 10:00 am

  The new LS430 is an absolutely fantastic vehicle. My previous car was a Cadillac STS and I was not at all impressed. It was noisy and long trips became uncomfortable in it. I love everything about the LS430. It is amazingly quiet and so much fun to drive. The radar cruise control makes driving on interstates almost effortless. Tremendous acceleration when needed is a great safety feature as well. The fact that this car actually costs a lot less than the Mercedes S500 and BMW 700 series is mind boggling to me.

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  Lexus - a dependable automobile - 2003 Lexus LS 430
  By gaz - February 28 - 10:00 am

  The Lexus LS430 is a very dependable and economical vehicle to operate. Although not as eye pleasing as my former Lexus LS 400, the ride is much more exciting and more similar to the Mercedes. I have owned and operated this vehicle approximately 1.5 years without any problems. My only complaint is the LS400 doesnt look that different from the Toyota Avalon which is less than half the price.