How many cylinders does a Lexus IS 300 have?
The cylinder count for the Lexus IS 300 depends on model year and market: older IS 300s used six cylinders, while the latest US-market IS 300 uses four cylinders.
Historically, the IS 300 launched with a six-cylinder inline engine (a 3.0-liter inline-6). In more recent years, especially for the U.S. lineup, Lexus shifted the IS 300 to a four-cylinder turbocharged option. The exact configuration can vary by region, so it’s wise to verify for any specific vehicle you’re considering.
Engine configurations by generation
Two primary configurations have defined the IS 300 lineup across different generations and markets.
- Early IS 300 models (roughly 2001–2005 in many markets): 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, six cylinders.
- Recent US-market IS 300 models (2021–present): 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine, four cylinders.
Bottom line: The IS 300’s cylinder count has shifted from six in older generations to four in the contemporary US-market models. Other IS variants (such as the IS 350 with a V6) use different engines.
How to confirm the exact engine on your car
Because configurations vary by year and market, confirm the exact cylinder count for a specific vehicle using these checks.
- Review the engine displacement and layout on the engine cover or in the vehicle’s documentation. A 3.0L inline-6 indicates six cylinders; a 2.0L turbo indicates four.
- Check the VIN and the official spec sheet from Lexus; the VIN can be decoded to reveal the engine type and cylinder count.
- Ask a Lexus dealer or examine the window sticker when purchasing a used IS 300; it will list the engine specification explicitly.
Verifying through official documentation is particularly important for imported or used examples, where the engine configuration may differ from contemporary models.
Summary
The Lexus IS 300 has traditionally used a six-cylinder inline-6 engine in earlier generations, while newer US-market versions use a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. Because cylinder count varies by year and region, always check the specific vehicle’s documentation or VIN to confirm the exact configuration.
Is IS 300 V6?
The 2022 Lexus IS 300 engine options are the same as the 2021 model: a standard 2.0L turbo-four and an available 3.5L V6 upgrade option.
Is the Lexus IS300 4 or 6 cylinder?
2.0L 4-cylinder
If you decide on the IS 300, IS 300 F SPORT Design or IS 300 F SPORT, you get a 241-horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, and on the IS 300 AWD, IS 300 F SPORT Design AWD, and IS 300 F SPORT AWD, there is a 260-horsepower 3.5L V6 engine.
How reliable is the IS 300 engine?
The engine and transmission are super smooth and reliable. All the electronics work exactly as the day it left the factory. Out of all the cars I have owned the IS300 is the only one I can honestly say I would like to keep forever.
What are common 300H problems?
Poor engine idling/misfiring
If you are having any problems with the engine misfiring and poor engine idling, this will be caused by a problem with either the throttle body, or MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor. These can become clogged up with carbon, resulting in the above problems.
