What Lexus did the 2JZ come in?
The 2JZ engine family powered several Lexus models, most notably the IS300, GS300, and SC300 with the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE, while the turbocharged 2JZ-GTE found a home in the Japan-market Aristo, a model closely tied to the Lexus GS lineage.
To understand where the 2JZ sat within the Lexus portfolio, it helps to distinguish between the non-turbo and turbo variants, and to note how market naming sometimes blended Toyota and Lexus badges. The following sections outline the main Lexus applications of the 2JZ family.
Lexus models that used the 2JZ-GE (non-turbo)
These entries cover the naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six that powered several early- to mid-1990s/2000s Lexus performance-luxury cars.
- Lexus IS300 (first generation, produced roughly 2000–2005) — 2JZ-GE 3.0L inline-six
- Lexus GS300 (various late 1990s to early 2000s iterations) — 2JZ-GE 3.0L inline-six
- Lexus SC300 (1992–2000) — 2JZ-GE 3.0L inline-six
These models collectively established the 2JZ-GE’s reputation for smooth power delivery and durability within the Lexus lineup, appealing to drivers seeking performance-oriented luxury sedans and coupes.
Aristo link: the turbocharged 2JZ-GTE and its Lexus connections
For turbocharged performance in the same engine family, the Japan-market Aristo used the 2JZ-GTE. While the Aristo was a Toyota-badged model in Japan, it is widely viewed as the spiritual predecessor to the Lexus GS lineup in export markets, and some Aristo variants were sold under the Lexus badge outside Japan.
- Toyota Aristo (Japan) — 2JZ-GTE twin-turbo inline-six; in some export markets associated with the Lexus GS family
In practice, the Aristo’s 2JZ-GTE powerplant helped shape the performance aspirations tied to the Lexus GS line, even though the Aristo itself carried a Toyota nameplate in its home market.
Market nuances and model-year details
The 2JZ engine family spans generations and market-specific branding. In North America, the 2JZ-GE powered IS300, GS300, and SC300. In Japan, the performance-focused Aristo used the 2JZ-GTE, reinforcing the 2JZ heritage across both Toyota and Lexus performance platforms. The iconic Supra, while not a Lexus model, also used the 2JZ-GTE and helped cement the engine’s legendary status among enthusiasts.
Why the 2JZ became a defining part of Lexus’ performance image
Beyond mere specs, the 2JZ’s durability, tunability, and high-rev potential gave Lexus’ NA and turbocharged offerings a distinctive edge in the luxury-performance segment during the 1990s and early 2000s. The 2JZ-GE-equipped IS300, GS300, and SC300 are remembered for balancing everyday usability with genuine enthusiast appeal, while the 2JZ-GTE-equipped Aristo symbolized the high-performance pinnacle in Japan—an influence that echoed through later Lexus sport models.
Summary
The 2JZ engine family found its way into several Lexus models, most notably the 2JZ-GE-powered IS300, GS300, and SC300, and the 2JZ-GTE-powered Aristo in Japan (linked to the Lexus GS lineage in export markets). This pairing of robust reliability and strong performance helped define a generation of Lexus cars as performance-oriented luxury machines, a legacy that endures in enthusiast circles to this day.
Which Lexus has a 2JZ engine?
In the US, the last vehicles to utilize the trusty 2JZ engine were the Lexus IS300 and GS300. The 1991-1997 GS was the first of this pair to use the famous powerplant. The second-gen from 1998-2005 then took over and continued to boast the 2JZ until it was replaced by the third-gen variant in 2005.
Does the Lexus SC300 have a 2JZ?
Yes, the Lexus SC300 is factory-equipped with a 2JZ engine, specifically the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE. The SC300's 2JZ-GE is a 3.0L inline-6 engine that was also used in other Lexus models and is related to the more famous turbocharged 2JZ-GTE from the Toyota Supra.
- Engine: The SC300's engine is a 3.0L inline-6, the 2JZ-GE.
- Relationship to Supra: The 2JZ-GE is the non-turbocharged version of the 2JZ-GTE engine made famous in the Toyota Supra.
- Engine availability: The SC300 was equipped with the 2JZ-GE as standard from the factory, unlike the V8-powered SC400.
- Engine swaps: Due to the 2JZ-GE's strong foundation, many owners perform engine swaps, often replacing the stock engine with the more powerful 2JZ-GTE from a Supra for increased performance.
Does the Lexus IS300 have a 2JZ engine?
And this is it guys. This is a 2001 Lexus IS-300 and from the outset. This is a car that looks very much like a standard vehicle.
Does the 2002 Lexus GS300 have a 2JZ?
Both the 99 and 02 GS300 should have a 2JZ-GE VVTi unless it's been swapped.
