What engine does the LS400 have?
The Lexus LS400 is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine known as the 1UZ-FE.
Launched as Lexus’s flagship sedan in the early 1990s, the LS400 paired luxury appointments with a refined, purpose-built engine designed to deliver smooth power and lasting reliability. The centerpiece of that effort is Toyota-Lexus’s 1UZ-FE V8, a four-liter, dual-overhead-camshaft design that set a benchmark for quiet operation in its class.
Engine specifications at a glance
Here are the core specs that define the LS400's engine.
- Engine code: 1UZ-FE
- Displacement: 4.0 liters (3969 cc)
- Configuration: V8, DOHC, 32 valves
- Induction: Naturally aspirated, electronic fuel injection (multi-point)
- Construction: Aluminum alloy block and heads for weight efficiency
- Drive layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
- Transmission pairing: Four-speed automatic transmission
These elements combined to deliver a smooth, refined powertrain that matched the LS400's luxury positioning and reliability track record. The 1UZ-FE helped define a generation of Lexus performance and durability standards that many owners still cite in praise today.
Maintenance and reliability notes
For owners and prospective buyers, a well-maintained 1UZ-FE is known for longevity when routine service schedules are kept. Typical maintenance includes regular oil changes, timing-related inspections, valve clearances on DOHC engines, coolant upkeep, and attention to the transmission fluid and filters. Like any aging luxury powertrain, high-mileage examples benefit from documented service histories and proactive repairs to electrical components and cooling systems.
Why this engine matters for enthusiasts and collectors
The 1UZ-FE is widely regarded for its smooth operation and durability, earning a reputation as a practical yet refined performance V8. Its balance of quiet power delivery, responsive acceleration, and relatively simple maintenance profile compared with some contemporaries has helped the LS400 remain a collectible favorite among luxury sedan enthusiasts.
Summary
The LS400’s engine is a 4.0-liter 1UZ-FE V8—an all-aluminum, DOHC, 32-valve powerplant that delivered refined performance and long-term reliability, helping to define the flagship Lexus experience for a generation of buyers.
Which Lexus has a 1UZ engine?
Lexus LS 400
The 1UZFE proved so reliable that Lexus kept it for the Lexus LS until 2000, encompassing two generations — the 1989 to 1994 LS 400 (XF10) and the 1994 to 2000 LS 400 (XF20). Car owners have also proven the reliability of the 1UZFE with the LS 400.
What engine is in a 2000 LS400?
Engine
| Base engine size | 4.0 L |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | V8 |
| Base engine type | Gas |
Is the LS400 engine a V6 or V8?
Until its fifth generation, every Lexus LS400 came equipped with some kind of a V8 engine. While those engines did vary over the years, the uncompromising performance and power delivery of a V8 is undeniable. Especially one built by an auto manufacturer known for reliability, like Lexus.
Does the LS400 have a 1UZ?
The LS 400's new 4.0-litre 1UZ-FE 32-valve V8 engine, capable of 245 PS (180 kW; 242 hp) and 350 N⋅m (258 lb⋅ft) of torque, was linked to a new four-speed automatic transmission with ECT-i electronically controlled shifts, super-flow torque converter and rear differential.
