Is Lexus is300h front-wheel drive?
Yes. The Lexus IS 300h is a front-wheel-drive hybrid.
The IS 300h, produced in the early 2010s, pairs a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with an electric motor to form Lexus Hybrid Drive. In most markets, this setup powers the front wheels through an electronic continuously variable transmission (e-CVT). The model was primarily offered in Europe and other regions outside the United States, and there was no conventional factory all-wheel-drive variant of the IS 300h in these markets.
Drivetrain configuration
Key drivetrain characteristics of the IS 300h include the following:
- Front-wheel-drive layout driven by a transaxle that combines the petrol engine and electric motor for the front axle.
- Hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder petrol engine plus an electric motor, delivering a combined output around 223 horsepower (about 165 kW).
- Electronic CVT (e-CVT) transmission integrated with the hybrid system to optimize efficiency and response.
- Battery and packaging designed to preserve trunk and cabin space, typical of Lexus hybrid layouts in this class.
In practice, this means the IS 300h relies on front-wheel drive as its primary configuration, with the hybrid system assisting efficiency rather than providing rear-wheel propulsion.
Market variations and availability
Before examining the nuances, note how market availability shaped the IS 300h:
- Most mainstream markets offered the IS 300h as a front-wheel-drive hybrid; there was no widely marketed factory all-wheel-drive version of the IS 300h.
- In the United States, Lexus did not offer an IS 300h variant; the hybrid IS models that appeared in other regions were not always sold there.
- For buyers seeking all-wheel drive within the IS lineup, other IS variants or later non-hybrid configurations were available, but not the IS 300h AWD package.
Understanding these market-specific choices helps clarify why the IS 300h is described as front-wheel drive in most official materials and reviews from its era.
Summary
The Lexus IS 300h is a front-wheel-drive hybrid powered by a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle engine and an electric motor, delivering a combined output around 223 hp. It uses an e-CVT and was primarily available in markets outside the United States with no factory AWD option for this hybrid variant. If all-wheel drive is essential, potential buyers should review other IS models or newer Lexus hybrids in the current lineup.
