Does the Lexus IS 300 have a 2JZ?
The short answer: yes, but only on the first-generation IS 300; later IS 300 models do not use a 2JZ engine.
To understand why, it helps to know what the 2JZ engine family is and how Lexus’ IS line evolved over time. The 2JZ family, built by Toyota, includes both naturally aspirated and turbocharged inline-6 engines that powered a range of cars from the late 1990s through the 2000s. The original IS 300’s powerplant was the 2JZ-GE, a 3.0-liter inline-6. In later generations, the IS lineup shifted to different engine families, and the 2JZ did not carry forward in the standard IS 300 badge.
The 2JZ engine family: a quick primer
Before laying out the specifics for the IS 300, here’s a concise look at the two main 2JZ lines and how they relate to the model in question:
- 2JZ-GE – the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-6 used in the original IS 300 (1999–2005) and other Toyota/Lexus applications.
- 2JZ-GTE – the turbocharged evolution famous for powering the Toyota Supra; not used in the standard IS 300 models.
In practical terms, the IS 300’s engine was the 2JZ-GE, while the 2JZ-GTE exists as a separate, turbocharged variant associated with performance applications rather than with the stock IS 300 lineup.
IS 300 in its first generation
The first-generation IS 300 (sold primarily in the United States and select markets from 1999 to 2005) came equipped with a 2JZ-GE engine and offered either an automatic or manual transmission. Power figures varied slightly by year and market, but the hallmark under the hood of the early IS 300 was the 3.0-liter inline-6 known as the 2JZ-GE.
In short, if you’re looking at a 1999–2005 IS 300, you’re dealing with a 2JZ-GE under the hood. If you encounter a later IS badge labeled 300, it’s typically powered by a different engine family altogether.
The modern Lexus IS lineup (post-2005) and the 2JZ question
After the original IS 300 era, Lexus shifted its IS powertrains away from the 2JZ lineage. The US-market IS 250 and IS 350 (and the broader IS range in subsequent years) used engines from the 2AR-FSE and 2GR-FSE families, not the 2JZ. In today’s lineup, there is no 2JZ engine used in the IS, with Lexus focusing on four-cylinder turbocharged options and V6 setups instead.
Bottom line: the 2JZ engine does appear in the history of the IS 300, but only for the early, first-generation model. It does not power later IS 300 variants or the current generation.
Summary
- The Lexus IS 300 did use a 2JZ engine, specifically the 2JZ-GE, in its first-generation form (1999–2005).
- In later generations and markets, the IS 300 badge was associated with other engines, and the 2JZ family was not used.
- If you’re evaluating an IS 300 today, verify the engine code to confirm whether you’re looking at the early 2JZ-GE model or a later-generation IS powered by a different engine family.
