Which Lexus had the 2JZ?
The two Lexus models that used the 2JZ engine are the IS300 and SC300, both powered by the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE. The turbocharged 2JZ-GTE, meanwhile, was used by the Toyota Supra and, in Japan, by the Aristo—vehicles that share the family name but sit in different badge lines.
Overview of the 2JZ engine family
The 2JZ family centers on a 3.0-liter inline-six design with durable construction that earned a reputation for quiet reliability and strong tuning potential. It comprises two main variants: the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE and the turbocharged 2JZ-GTE. While the 2JZ-GE found homes in several Lexus models, the 2JZ-GTE is most famous for powering the Toyota Supra during its peak performance years, and it also appeared in Japan’s Aristo in turbocharged form.
Which Lexus models used the 2JZ-GE
Before listing, note that in North American markets the 2JZ-GE was installed in the standard, non-turbo configurations of certain Lexuses. The following models are the best-known Lexus machines that used the 2JZ-GE variant:
- Lexus IS300 (2001–2005 in the United States) — 2JZ-GE naturally aspirated 3.0L inline-6.
- Lexus SC300 (1992–2000) — 2JZ-GE inline-6, paired with rear-wheel drive for a sport-luxury coupe.
In Japan and some markets, the same engine family also appeared in other performance models under different badges, most notably the turbocharged 2JZ-GTE in the Aristo. The IS300 and SC300 remain the clearest examples of Lexus models powered by the 2JZ-GE in the U.S. lineup.
Understanding the 2JZ variants
The 2JZ family includes multiple variants. The 2JZ-GE is the naturally aspirated version used in several Lexus and Toyota models, while the 2JZ-GTE is the turbocharged version that powered performance-focused cars, including the Supra and Aristo. This distinction helps explain why some models share a family name but offer very different driving experiences.
Related context and legacy
Since the 1990s, the 2JZ engine has achieved iconic status among enthusiasts for its durability and tuning potential. Today, it remains a touchstone of Toyota and Lexus performance engineering, influencing restorations and builds that celebrate the era’s engineering ethos.
Conclusion
In the Lexus lineup, the 2JZ engine is most closely associated with the IS300 and SC300, which used the 2JZ-GE variant. The broader 2JZ family includes turbocharged configurations (2JZ-GTE) used in other Toyotas of the era, most famously the Supra. This lineage underscores a shared engineering heritage that continues to captivate enthusiasts.
Summary
The 2JZ engine is principally tied to two Lexus models in North America: the IS300 and SC300, both powered by the naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE. The turbocharged 2JZ-GTE is best known from the Toyota Supra and Japan’s Aristo, illustrating the engine family’s versatility across brands and markets.
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 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.
Do SC300 come with 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.
