IS the Lexus IS 300 a V4 or V-6?
The Lexus IS 300 uses a 3.0-liter inline-six engine, not a V4 or a V6—it’s an I6 powerplant. In its early US-spec form, the IS 300 ran on the 2JZ-GE inline-6 arrangement.
That distinction matters because the IS line has evolved over time and different markets have used different badge naming. Here’s a concise look at what powered the IS 300 and how it fits into the broader IS lineup.
Engine configuration explained
Below is a quick, generation-by-generation look at the IS 300’s powertrain and how it differs from V4 or V6 configurations.
- First-generation IS 300 (approximately 2001–2005 in the United States): 3.0-liter inline-6 engine (engine code 2JZ-GE). This is not a V6; it’s an inline-6 configuration.
- Market and model evolution: In many regions, the IS 300 badge was later replaced by IS 250 and IS 350 variants, which use V6 engines (various displacements in the 2.5–3.5-liter range). This shift helped distinguish newer models from the original IS 300’s I6 setup.
In short, the IS 300’s engine is an inline-six, not a V6 or a V4. The later IS models in most markets embraced V6 powertrains under different nameplates.
How this fits into the current Lexus IS lineup
Today, the IS badge reflects a range of engines depending on market and generation. While the original IS 300 used an inline-6, newer IS variants often rely on V6 configurations (and separate hybrid options in some regions). When shopping for an IS, it’s important to confirm the exact model year and engine code to avoid confusion about cylinder layout.
Summary
Bottom line: The Lexus IS 300 is powered by an inline-6 engine (2JZ-GE in the early US models), not a V4 or V6. The badge has historical context, and later IS models commonly used V6 engines. Always check the specific engine code and year to know the exact configuration for a given vehicle.
