IS Lexus 300h front wheel drive?
Yes. The Lexus IS 300h is designed as a front-wheel‑drive hybrid in most markets, with some years and regions offering an all‑wheel‑drive variant as an option.
What is the Lexus IS 300h?
The IS 300h is Lexus’ hybrid take on its compact IS sedan. Introduced in the early 2010s, it pairs a four‑cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor under the Toyota/Lexus Hybrid System. The car is built around a front‑wheel‑drive platform in standard form, using a continuously variable transmission to blend power from the gasoline engine and electric motor for smooth, efficient driving. The “h” in the name signals its hybrid powertrain rather than a separate performance badge.
Drivetrain design and how it works
Core components
In the standard IS 300h, the front axle is driven by a transaxle that combines the petrol engine and an electric motor. The system can operate on electric power at low speeds and blend the engine with electric torque for acceleration, all managed by the vehicle’s hybrid control system. The drivetrain emphasizes efficiency and quiet operation, particularly in city driving.
All-wheel-drive option
While the default configuration is front‑wheel drive, an all‑wheel‑drive variant has been available in certain markets and model years. In those configurations, a second electric motor on the rear axle provides rear-wheel drive when needed, giving improved grip in poor conditions without a traditional combustion engine powering the rear wheels.
Before the list below, note the main takeaways about how the IS 300h’s drivetrain is typically configured.
Key drivetrain characteristics you’re likely to encounter with the IS 300h:
- Default is front-wheel drive driven by a front transaxle that houses the petrol engine and electric motor.
- Hybrid system boots electric propulsion at low speeds for smooth starts and city efficiency.
- Continuously variable transmission handles seamless power delivery from both sources.
- Optional all-wheel drive in some markets uses a rear axle electric motor to add rear traction when needed.
- Market and model-year availability of the AWD variant varies; not all regions offered it.
Concluding note: The IS 300h’s standard setup is front-wheel drive, with AWD available only in select markets and years, due to regional product differentiation.
Performance, efficiency, and driving feel
Given its hybrid setup, the IS 300h prioritizes efficiency over outright performance. In FWD form, you’ll benefit from quiet operation, smooth transitions between electric and petrol power, and solid urban fuel economy. When equipped with AWD, you gain improved traction in adverse conditions, though this can add weight and slightly reduce overall efficiency. The exact figures depend on market-specific tuning and testing standards, but the hybrid system is designed to maximize city and highway efficiency rather than maximum acceleration.
Market availability and model-year notes
The IS 300h name and configuration were used in various regions primarily during the 2010s. Availability of the hybrid and the AWD option varied by country and year. Some markets offered the IS 300h as a dedicated hybrid model, while others did not sell an AWD hybrid at all. If you’re shopping used, always verify the exact drivetrain on the specific vehicle, as production runs and badging can differ by market and year.
What to check when buying or researching
When evaluating an IS 300h, confirm which drivetrain it has and what the documentation shows for that model year and region. Look for clear indications of front‑wheel drive or AWD, and request service records for the hybrid battery/system, since battery health and inverter/or motor wear can affect performance and efficiency.
Summary
The Lexus IS 300h is primarily a front‑wheel‑drive hybrid, designed to deliver efficient daily driving. An all‑wheel‑drive option exists in some markets and years, using a rear‑axle electric motor to provide additional traction. Always verify the specific drivetrain configuration for the exact car you’re considering, as regional variations and model-year differences are common in the IS 300h lineup.
Is the Lexus 300h all-wheel drive?
Whether a Lexus 300h is all-wheel drive (AWD) depends on the model; the NX 300h comes with standard AWD, while the UX 300h has front-wheel drive (FWD) as standard with AWD as an available option. The ES 300h is a front-wheel drive model.
You can watch this video to learn more about the Lexus UX 300h's all-wheel drive system: 57sAuto Buyers Guide | Alex on AutosYouTube · Jun 3, 2025
- NX 300h: Standard all-wheel drive across all trims.
- UX 300h: Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available as an option.
- ES 300h: Front-wheel drive.
Which Lexus is FWD?
ES sedan
The answer would be the ES sedan, which comes in front-wheel drive only, and the Performance category of vehicles – the RC F, GS, and LC – which are exclusively rear-wheel drive.
Is 300h FWD or rwd?
UNDER THE HYBRID BONNET. The hybrid powertrain mates a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, both feeding power to the rear wheels.
Is the Lexus IS 300h front-wheel drive?
Design & Engineering. The links between Toyota and Lexus are well known, so it may well be assumed that the IS hybrid shares the same engine and front-wheel drive powertrain base with the Prius. However this is not so – the IS 300h has a 2.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine, producing 178bhp, and is rear-wheel drive.
