2001 Lexus LS 430

With all due respect to that prescient observation by the late Oscar Wilde, Lexus may quite possibly have at least conceptually one-upped the famed literary bad-boy with its all-new LS 430. This top-of-the-line luxury sedan picks up where the LS 400 left off—and promptly proceeds to establish a host of new benchmarks for the class.


Raising the bar is no small accomplishment given that this flagship 4-door of Toyota's luxury division was already inhabiting some pretty rarefied territory. Retaining only about 10% carryover hardware, the third-generation LS works about every kind of practical design magic one can imagine. Bigger inside yet no larger outside, and cleaner on the aerodynamic and emissions fronts, it's also more technologically advanced, handles better and is safer and sounder. All this extra goodness comes at only a $200 price bump from the 2000 model's $54,005 base sticker. And if that isn't enough, for the first time Lexus is also offering buyers the same sport-suspension tuning—as a no-cost option—found on its European-spec model. We sampled this Sport Suspension version of the LS 430.

Lexus one-upped their acclaimed LS 400 in several ways. A longer wheelbase, more angular look, and Euro-tuned suspension with 17-inch wheels are just three of the new-for-2001 features on the LS 430.

While still cut from a fairly conservative bolt of design cloth, the LS 430's new sheetmetal does give it a bolder, wedgier appearance. Equal attention to smoothing the underbody led to an unmatched coefficient of drag—0.25/0.26 depending on its undercarriage particulars. Beneath that high-efficiency aero form lies a stiffer, stronger crash-resistant central structure. Standard front, side and side-curtain airbags provide even greater passenger protection while a 3.0-inch wheelbase stretch nets more usable people and cargo space than the new Mercedes S-Class, the vehicle Lexus used as the LS 430's primary development benchmark. World-class isolation levels remain an integral part of the mix, but now, a bit more tactile sensation is allowed to filter through to the person behind the wheel. That's particularly true in the case of our Euro-tuned tester.


Putting a more contemporary spin on many of the basic themes found in its predecessor, the LS 430's passenger compartment remains a treasure trove of supple leather and polished wood. Yes, those signature electroluminenscent virtual gauges still spring to life when you turn the key, and the car's massive roster of standards continues to go well beyond the normal power-assisted-everything to include an even wider-ranging collection of surprise-and-delight items. Can't live without power-adjustable anchors for your shoulder belts? How about motorized central dash vents that sway back and forth to gently disperse microfiltered/climate-controlled air throughout the LS 430's even-more-spacious inner sanctum? Look no further.

Even without all of the Ultra Luxury accoutrements, the LS 430 is head and shoulders above most cars in comfort and convenience. Wood accents and the optional navigation system exude style and substance.

If you simply must have more, the LS 430 can be fitted with extras. Our test car included the Lexus Navigation System/Mark Levinson Audio Package (240-watt/11-speaker ultra-premium sound system, navigation system, power moonroof, wood-and-leather steering wheel, and heated front and rear seats for $5,240) as well as the Lexus Link (nee: GM OnStar) driver-aid system for $1,215, 17-inch Summer Tires with Alloy Wheels (obligatory for the otherwise-no-additional-cost Sport Suspension version) at $100 and a trunk mat ($66). Towering atop the options roster is the Ultra Luxury Selection, a $12,290 aggregation that includes all of the above items plus climate-controlled (heated and cooled) front buckets, adjustable-rake rear seats with built-in massager units (the LS is a popular chauffeur-driven executive sedan in Japan), rear A/C and filtration with a refrigerated beverage compartment behind the rear center armrest, laminated side glass, power rear and manual side sunshades along with distance-sensing Dynamic Cruise Control, radar-ranging Parking Assist and a dual-mode air suspension system.