What metal are Lexus cars made of?
Lexus cars are primarily built from steel and aluminum, with smaller amounts of other metals used in specific components. The exact mix varies by model and generation.
In broad terms, automakers like Lexus rely on steel for the structural backbone and use aluminum to reduce weight where it matters for efficiency and performance. The composition shifts across model lines and over time as manufacturing techniques evolve and safety standards advance.
The metals you’ll find most often
The two metals most commonly used in modern Lexus vehicles are steel and aluminum. Here is how they’re typically applied in car construction.
- Steel: The primary material for the body-in-white, safety cage, and most structural components. It provides strength, durability, and crash performance through various grades, including high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel.
- Aluminum: Used to reduce weight in key areas such as certain body panels and some structural components. Aluminum helps improve fuel efficiency and handling in many models, especially newer generations that emphasize lighter weight.
- Other metals: Copper is common in electrical wiring and connectors, while smaller amounts of magnesium or other alloys may appear in limited, non-structural components or specialized parts. These materials are far less prevalent than steel or aluminum in the overall vehicle.
Across the industry, the exact distribution of these metals depends on the vehicle’s design goals, such as safety ratings, noise reduction, and fuel economy. The trend toward mixed-material construction means that even within the same model lineup, some versions may use more aluminum or more steel than others.
How the mix varies across models
Different Lexus models balance strength, ride comfort, and efficiency in different ways. While the foundational safety cage is largely steel, many models incorporate aluminum in body panels and certain subframes to trim weight. This mixed-material approach helps improve fuel economy and performance without sacrificing crash safety or rigidity.
Aluminum usage has become more common in recent years, especially in premium or performance-oriented variants, but steel remains the default for overall durability and cost efficiency. Copper and other metals are used in electrical systems and some hardware, while magnesium and other advanced alloys are limited to specialized components in contemporary production.
Common areas where aluminum is used
In many Lexus models, aluminum is favored for exterior and lightweight structural tasks such as hoods, trunk lids, doors, and sometimes roofs or subframes. These applications help reduce curb weight and contribute to better efficiency and handling, while the steel frame maintains rigidity and crash performance.
In short, Lexus cars are built primarily from steel and aluminum. Steel forms the main structural framework and safety cage, while aluminum is increasingly used in body panels and select components to reduce weight. The exact metal mix varies by model and generation, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance safety, performance, and efficiency. Copper and small quantities of other metals support electrical systems and specialized parts.
