Lexus’ IS300 first came to the U.S. in 2000. Since then, it has had a few different engine options across its generational changes.
Building on the success of early Lexus models like the iconic LS400, Lexus debuted the IS300 for the North American market with the model year 2000.
Since its initial release, the Lexus IS sedan has remained a staple of the Japanese automaker’s offerings.
The IS offers a sporty take on luxury that simultaneously contrasts and compliments its counterparts like the LS and GS.
While those variants of the Lexus lineup have automatic transmissions and focus more on the luxury side of things, the IS300 has a manual transmission and sacrifices a tiny bit of the luxury lifestyle, substituting a taste of sporty performance instead.
The Lexus IS300 also comes as a wagon known as the IS300 SportCross, however, they are fairly difficult to come by, and the wagons were only available with an automatic transmission.
Though the IS has remained available in the Lexus lineup since its conception, the IS300, in particular, disappeared for a few years. The first generation IS300 remained in production through 2005.
However, come the model year 2006, the IS underwent a full redesign, and the IS300 was dropped in place of the IS250 and IS350.
The model year 2016 brought a facelift to the third-generation Lexus IS lineup, as well as the return of the IS300 nomenclature for the 2018 model year. It remains available to this day in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
Like many luxury cars, though, the newest versions of the IS300 are only available with an automatic transmission.
If you’re in the market for an IS300, which one should you choose, and what do you need to know about the engines? Let’s take a look.
First-generation IS300: The Almighty 2JZ
If you are at all familiar with the import car tuner world, you’ve undoubtedly heard references and discussions of the legendary Toyota 2JZ inline-six-cylinder engine. Though its claim to fame stems from the twin-turbocharged powerplant found in the fourth-generation Toyota Supra, the engine is also found under the hood of the Lexus GS300 and IS300.
It is known for being particularly robust and withstanding hundreds of thousands of miles and remarkable power. Let’s take a look at the specs of the variant found in the IS300, the 2JZ-GE.
The 2JZ-GE found in the IS300 is the second generation of the 2JZ-GE. Throughout both generations, the basic engine remained the same. It is a 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder engine with 24 valves and uses dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) construction.
This means that the cylinder head has two camshafts. One to control the intake valves and one to control the exhaust valves.
The second-generation 2JZ-GE, however, has one major improvement over the previous generation; variable valve timing. This allows for precise control of valve timing based on what rpm the engine is at to maximize power and efficiency.
It makes 215 horsepower and is standard in every first-generation model, ending with the 2005 Lexus IS300.
Being a six-cylinder, its primary focus is not on fuel economy. Especially considering the sporty intentions of the IS300. However, the fuel performance of the first-generation IS300 is not explicitly bad.
According to the EPA, the first-generation Lexus IS300 gets up to 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway for a combined average of 18 mpg with a manual transmission.
The automatic variant sees the same city and average mpg ratings with a single mile-per-gallon drop to 22 mpg highway.
Overall, it isn’t the best fuel economy option out there. But, for a luxurious sports car, it isn’t all that bad.
Third-generation IS300 Engine Options
Since the return of the IS300 nomenclature for the 2016 model year, the IS300 has been offered with the same two engine options, depending on which variant you get. The available options are the IS300 or IS300 AWD (all-wheel-drive).
The standard IS300 is rear-wheel drive and comes packed with a turbocharged four-cylinder powerplant after 2018, and a V6 for 2016 and 2017.
The IS300 AWD is all-wheel drive and has a V6 powerplant. Either way, the newest iteration of the IS300 is a luxurious powerhouse.
The 2018 and newer rear-wheel-drive IS300 is equipped with the Toyota 8AR-FTS engine. (Check out Motor Reviewer‘s comprehensive look at the 8AR-FTS engine for more details on the motor.)
Like the 2JZ-GE, it uses standard dual-overhead-camshaft construction. However, it is a 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder rather than the six-cylinder layout in the first-generation IS300.
It also has variable valve timing and the addition of direct injection, which sprays fuel directly into the combustion chamber, increasing fuel efficiency. It has an impressive 241 horsepower.
Even more impressive than the power output, though, is the fuel economy.
According to the EPA, it nets a remarkable 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway for a combined average of 26 mpg.
Though it is available only with an automatic transmission, the four-cylinder offers a great way to step into the sporty fun of an IS without making sacrifices to fuel economy.
Before the year 2018, the 2.0-liter turbocharged version was still available but was sold as the IS200t. It is the same car but was changed to IS300 in 2018.
So, if you want the performance and power of the 2018 and newer four-cylinder IS300, the IS200t offers a slightly cheaper option depending on year and mileage.
IS 300 AWD Engine
Since 2016, the all-wheel-drive version of the IS300 has come standard with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that offers a bit more power than the four-cylinder.
Like the four-cylinder version, this modern V6 engine has a massive leg up on the 2JZ in terms of efficiency thanks to its advanced variable valve timing system and direct injection.
It also uses dual-overhead-camshaft construction. Though, since it is a V6, it has a total of four camshafts, two in each cylinder head. As a result, it offers a fairly substantial jump in power relative to the four-cylinder variant, as well.
The IS300 AWD makes 260 horsepower. However, it does sacrifice a lot of the fuel economy performance in comparison to the four-cylinder version.
The IS300 AWD V6 has an EPA rating of 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway for a combined average of 22 mpg. For the minimal gain in power, it’s hard to recommend purchasing a V6 version over the four-cylinder unless having an all-wheel-drive system is important.
In slippery, wet, and snowy conditions, it can be a substantial improvement. However, if you’re okay with having rear-wheel drive only, then the turbocharged version is much easier on the wallet at the gas pumps.
Alternatively, if the IS300 range doesn’t quite satisfy your need for speed, the IS350 F Sport is available with a 311 horsepower V6.
Is the Lexus IS300 the Car for You?
Whether you’re shopping for an older or newer Lexus, if you want a phenomenal blend of sporty performance and power without sacrificing the brand’s iconic luxury, the IS300 is a fantastic option.
First-generation IS300s can regularly be found for sale under $5,000. However, expect to spend a bit more if you prefer a manual version. In some cases, an IS300 with a manual transmission can fetch up to $10,000 in good condition.
Additionally, SportCross wagons also fetch numbers north of five figures from time to time.
If you’re searching for a newer car, a third-generation IS300 or IS300 AWD offers a great way to step into a modern Lexus without breaking the bank and buying one brand new off the lot.
A budget of around $30,000 is enough to get you in a decent spec IS300, with prices climbing north of $40,000 for brand-new models.
As usual, when shopping for a used car, we highly recommend using our free VIN research tool to look at the history of a vehicle.
Once you’re sure the car is free of past damage or accidents, all that’s left to do is sign the paperwork.
Photos: Lexus
