2004 Lexus LS 430 Test Drive

One of the world's best luxury cars in terms of quality and refinement, the 2004 Lexus LS 430 features a near-magical mix of technology and comfort, together with low depreciation. A powerful V-8 combines with a 6-speed automatic to provide quietly scintilating performance. Prices: US $55,750, $67,070 as tested. Warranty : Total Vehicle 4 yrs/50,000 miles. Powertrain 6 yrs/70,000 miles.

Heritage

Lexus does not have a long history but in a few short years the marque has established itself as the world's quality leader, a title once proudly held by names like Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, and Mercedes-Benz. The LS is Lexus' flagbearer, a large, 4-door luxury sedan that pampers its passengers but avoids the styling flamboyance of the other three names, almost to the point of being invisible. The 2004 Lexus LS 430 takes this to a new level, adding performance to the mix with a powerful engine and slick, multi-speed transmission; prior LS sedans, while certainly not slow, weren't cars you'd drive just for the fun of it. The new LS, normally chauffeur-driven in its home country, continues this emphasis on executive comfort, drawing on an impressive orchestration of computer-operated electronic systems to accomplish its aims.

Coachwork

It sits a little high, does the Lexus 430, just enough to ease the problem of sliding in and out, something that will appeal to the age group that buys this car. The cabin has been designed to assure that rear seat passengers don't suffer; after all, the chauffeur shouldn't get all the breaks. So let's begin with comments on the rear seating area. Legroom is average for a luxury sedan, headroom more than adequate. Three can sit abreast when the armrest is raised; when down it contains two cupholders and space for a wireless phone. Back seat passengers enjoy heated seats and control the flow of heat and cool air. Overhead are two lighted mirrors and reading lights. Each door has entry lights and a map pocket and seat backs are fitted with pockets. Up front, legroom is huge; the 16-way adjustable driver's seat must have been designed for a 7-foot tall basketball player. Four programmable driver settings, cupholders in the doors and console, several storage compartments populate the area. Body build is impeccable, chrome is carefully applied, so that the car resembles a jewelled block of steel.

On the Road

The impression that counts most while driving a Lexus LS 430 deals with the basic act of driving, as with any other vehicle. Surprisingly, the 2004 Lexus LS 430 is very fleet of foot. While the 290 hp V-8 purrs silently when cruising, it turns into a raging tiger when maximum acceleration is demanded. With a defiant roar, the car leaps forward, causing the speedometer needle to swing rapidly upwards. There are two ways of achieving this: one is to let the 6-speed sequential shift automatic do its job; the other is to move the gear lever to the left, then through the gated shifter to work the system manually, an act that seems inappropriate for a luxury cruiser. Equally surprising is how well the 2004 Lexus LS 430 handles curves. There is very little body lean and with help from the adaptive air suspension system it can almost be drifted through the turns, though we never pushed it that hard. Only the steering let us down, lacking the kind of directness such handling demands. But the turning circle is small, making it easy to maneuver a very large car into small spaces. Which, for the average LS 430 buyer, is probably a lot more important.

Summary

So far we haven't mentioned the electronic wizardry that turned this 2004 Lexus LS 430 into a modern version of Aladdin's magic carpet. It is simply dazzling, yet there is so much -- and so much to learn from the 2-inch-thick trio of manuals -- that we never really got around to letting the genie out of the bottle. Here is a brief listing: Adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance between you and other cars; outside mirrors tilt down when reversing and fold flat when the engine is turned off; GPS with moving map and voice directions; tiny TV cameras that display, on the navigation screen, a view out the rear when backing up; beepers to indicate space remaining in front and behind when parking; headlights that turn; 16-way power driver's seat; heated front seats that give your back a massage; power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel; keyless entry; and at least a dozen others we hadn't discovered or figured out by the time we returned the car. Frankly, we could live without most of these gizmos but in the high stakes luxury game, they gain bragging points. Regardless of our personal views, the 2004 Lexus LS 430 is premium transport, fit for a corporate president. Or a president's chauffeur.