Is the Lexus IS250 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder?
The Lexus IS250 uses a 2.5-liter V6 engine, meaning it has six cylinders, not four. The IS lineup has included four-cylinder and larger six-cylinder variants in different generations and markets, but the IS250 itself is a V6 model.
What powers the IS250?
Below are the core engine details common to most IS250 models across markets and years. Values vary slightly by year and market due to tuning and emissions regulations.
- Cylinder configuration: V6 (six cylinders)
- Displacement: 2.5-liter engine
- Power output: typically around 204 horsepower, with torque around 185 lb-ft (figures vary by year and market)
- Transmission: commonly paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission; manual transmission was not widely offered
These specifications confirm that the IS250 is not a four-cylinder model but a mid-size V6-powered sedan in the Lexus IS lineup.
IS250 in the context of the Lexus IS family
Understanding where the IS250 sits helps clarify why some people ask if it is a four-cylinder. The IS200/IS300 and IS350 nomenclature from earlier generations included other engine layouts. The second-generation IS (roughly 2006–2013 in many markets) offered IS250 with a 2.5L V6 and IS350 with a 3.5L V6, giving buyers a choice between moderate and higher performance without stepping up to a V8.
- IS250 uses a 2.5L V6; IS350 uses a larger 3.5L V6
- Some earlier Lexus IS models outside North America offered four-cylinder variants (e.g., IS200) in different markets
- Transmission and tuning varied by year and market, but V6 power remained the core identity of the IS250
When shopping for an IS, look for the model badge and engine bay labeling to confirm the exact engine in your market and year.
Bottom line for buyers
If you want a Lexus IS with four cylinders, you’ll want to explore other models such as certain IS200/IS250 configurations in specific markets or the newer turbocharged options; however, the IS250 itself is a six-cylinder vehicle powered by a 2.5-liter V6.
Summary
The Lexus IS250 is powered by a 2.5-liter V6 engine, making it a six-cylinder vehicle rather than a four-cylinder. It sits in the IS lineup between the smaller four-cylinder variants offered in other markets and the larger IS350. Its engine choice balances performance with efficiency for buyers seeking a mid-range Lexus sedan.
