What engine is in a Lexus IS200?
The Lexus IS200 is powered by a 2.0-liter inline-six engine known as the 1G-FE. This engine typically delivers around 160 horsepower, depending on the market and year. In North America, the IS line used a different engine family, with the IS300 offering a larger powerplant instead of an IS200.
Engine details
The IS200’s powerplant sits at the heart of the first-generation IS sedan, produced from 1998 to 2005. The 1G-FE is a 2.0-liter inline-six built on Toyota’s G-engine lineage; it features dual overhead cams and 24 valves. The design emphasizes smooth torque delivery and refined performance suitable for a premium compact sedan. Power output and equipment varied with the year and market, but the core setup remained the 1G-FE 2.0L six-cylinder engine.
Key specifications include:
- Engine code: 1G-FE
- Displacement: 2.0 liters
- Configuration: Inline-6
- Valvetrain: DOHC, 24 valves
- Fuel system: Electronic fuel injection
- Induction: Naturally aspirated
- Power output: typically around 160 horsepower, varying by market
- Torque: typically around 170–180 Nm (about 125–133 lb-ft), depending on spec
Market-specific tuning and emissions regulations influenced exact figures, but the 1G-FE remained the standard IS200 engine across most non-US markets.
Market variations and availability
To help identify what you might find under the hood in different regions, here is a quick look at where the IS200 badge appeared and what engine powered it.
- Europe, the UK, and many other regions: IS200 with a 2.0L inline-six (1G-FE); output typically around 160–165 PS. Transmission options varied by market, with both manual and automatic available in some specs.
- Japan: Similar 2.0L inline-six (1G-FE) setup, with market-specific emissions tuning.
- North America: The IS200 was not offered in the U.S.; the IS line used the IS300 with a larger 3.0-liter engine (2JZ-GE) instead.
In practice, the IS200’s 2.0L engine defined the model in markets that carried the badge, while the United States shifted to a larger powerplant for its IS variants.
Summary
In short, the Lexus IS200 is equipped with a 2.0-liter inline-six engine, the 1G-FE. This configuration, common across most non-U.S. IS200 variants, provided smooth performance and refined driving dynamics typical of early-generation Lexus sedans. The U.S. market did not feature the IS200; buyers there encountered the IS300 with a 3.0-liter engine instead.
Which Lexus has the 2JZ engine?
Lexus models that have featured the 2JZ engine include the GS 300, IS 300, and SC 300. The GS 300 and IS 300 used the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE engine, while the SC 300 was available with the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE and, in Japan, with the twin-turbocharged 2JZ-GTE.
- Lexus GS 300: Featured a naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE engine. It was produced from 1991-2005.
- Lexus IS 300: Featured a naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE engine and was the last US-market Lexus to use the 2JZ engine. It was available in sedan and SportCross wagon body styles.
- Lexus SC 300: This two-door coupe was equipped with the 2JZ-GE naturally aspirated engine. The Japanese market version of the 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo engine was never officially launched in the US.
Is Lexus IS200 reliable?
Lexus Is200's have a slightly over average reliability rating of 524/999.
What engine does the Lexus IS200 have?
The 2.0-litre 1G-FE straight-six powered AS200 (GXE10, sedan) was equipped with a four-speed automatic as standard.
What engine is in a 2002 Lexus IS200?
2.0-litre six-cylinder engine
Lexus's Sportcross crossover body style made available with IS 200's 2.0-litre six-cylinder engine. Specification based on existing IS 200 Sport model. Including roof spoiler, sports pedals, limited-slip differential and dark-tinted rear glass. Six-speed manual transmission.
