Lexus IS engines

Lexus IS is a Japanese compact executive car produced since 1998 by the Lexus Division of Toyota Motor Corporation. In Japan, cars were also produced under the brand name Toyota Altezza. Since 2013, the 3rd generation IS has been released, and since 2016 – its updated version. The two capital letters in the brand name are short for Intelligent sport. The car was assembled in Japan in body modifications of a sedan, station wagon, convertible and hatchback.

The Lexus IS was offered with 11 engines since 1998 (9 petrol, 2 diesel). Displacement ranges from 2.0 to 5.0 liters, power output from 136 to 477 hp. 9 use a timing chain and 1 a timing belt. 3 are turbocharged. The longest rated lifespan belongs to the Toyota 2JZ-GE (about 500,000 km).

Lexus IS engines by generation

EngineYearsVolumePowerFuelTimingOilLifespan
Lexus IS XE10 1998–2005
Toyota 2JZ-GE1998–20053.0 L R6215–230 hppetrolbelt4–5 L~500,000 km
Lexus IS200 1 (XE10) 1999–2005
Toyota 1G1999–20052.0 Lpetrol4.2 L
Lexus IS XE20 2005–2013
Toyota 2AD-FHV2005–20102.2 L R4170–177 hpdiesel, turbochain6.5 L~250,000 km
Toyota 2AD-FTV2010–20132.2 L R4136–150 hpdiesel, turbochain6.5 L~250,000 km
Lexus IS250 2 (XE20) 2005–2013
Toyota 4GR-FSE2005–20132.5 L V6205–215 hppetrolchain6.3 L~400,000 km
Lexus IS350 2 (XE20) 2005–2013
Toyota 2GR-FSE2005–20133.5 L V6255–360 hppetrolchain6.3 L~400,000 km
Lexus IS300 2 (XE20) 2007–2013
Toyota 3GR-FE2007–20133.0 L V6230 hppetrolchain6.2 L~300,000 km
Lexus IS 300h XE30 2013–present
Toyota 2AR-FSE2013–present2.5 L R4178 hppetrolchain4.4 L~300,000 km
Lexus IS250 3 (XE30) 2013–2015
Toyota 4GR-FSE2013–20152.5 L V6205–215 hppetrolchain6.3 L~400,000 km
Lexus IS300 3 (XE30) 2013–2017
Toyota 2GR-FSE2013–20173.5 L V6255–360 hppetrolchain6.3 L~400,000 km
Lexus IS350 3 (XE30) 2013–present
Toyota 2GR-FSE2013–20173.5 L V6255–360 hppetrolchain6.3 L~400,000 km
Toyota 2GR-FKS2018–present3.5 L V6280–315 hppetrolchain5.5 L~300,000 km
Lexus IS200t 3 (XE30) 2015–present
Toyota 8AR-FTS2015–present2.0 L R4231–245 hppetrol, turbochain4.9 L~200,000 km
Other Lexus IS engines generation not specified
Toyota 2UR-GSE2007–present5.0 L V8416–477 hppetrolchain8.6 L~300,000 km

Lexus IS engine FAQ

What engines were used in the Lexus IS?

Lexus IS XE10 (1998–2005): Toyota 2JZ-GE; Lexus IS200 1 (XE10) (1999–2005): Toyota 1G; Lexus IS XE20 (2005–2013): Toyota 2AD-FHV and Toyota 2AD-FTV; Lexus IS250 2 (XE20) (2005–2013): Toyota 4GR-FSE; Lexus IS350 2 (XE20) (2005–2013): Toyota 2GR-FSE; Lexus IS300 2 (XE20) (2007–2013): Toyota 3GR-FE; Lexus IS 300h XE30 (2013–present): Toyota 2AR-FSE; Lexus IS250 3 (XE30) (2013–2015): Toyota 4GR-FSE; Lexus IS300 3 (XE30) (2013–2017): Toyota 2GR-FSE; Lexus IS350 3 (XE30) (2013–present): Toyota 2GR-FSE and Toyota 2GR-FKS; Lexus IS200t 3 (XE30) (2015–present): Toyota 8AR-FTS.

Which Lexus IS engine is the most durable?

By rated service life the most durable Lexus IS engines are: Toyota 2JZ-GE — about 500,000 km; Toyota 2GR-FSE — about 400,000 km; Toyota 4GR-FSE — about 400,000 km. Actual lifespan depends heavily on maintenance and oil change intervals.

How much oil does the Lexus IS engine take?

Engine oil capacity with filter: Toyota 1G — 4.2 L (0W-30 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 / 15W-50); Toyota 2AD-FHV — 6.5 L (0W-30, 5W-30); Toyota 2AD-FTV — 6.5 L (0W-30, 5W-30); Toyota 2AR-FSE — 4.4 L (5W-30); Toyota 2GR-FKS — 5.5 L (0W-20); Toyota 2GR-FSE — 6.3 L (5W-20, 5W-30); Toyota 2JZ-GE — 4–5 L (5W-30, 5W-40); Toyota 2UR-GSE — 8.6 L (5W-30); Toyota 3GR-FE — 6.2 L (5W-30); Toyota 4GR-FSE — 6.3 L (5W-20, 5W-30); Toyota 8AR-FTS — 4.9 L (5W-30).

Does the Lexus IS have a timing belt or chain?

Timing chain: Toyota 2AD-FHV, Toyota 2AD-FTV, Toyota 2AR-FSE, Toyota 2GR-FKS, Toyota 2GR-FSE, Toyota 2UR-GSE, Toyota 3GR-FE, Toyota 4GR-FSE and Toyota 8AR-FTS; timing belt: Toyota 2JZ-GE. Belts must be replaced on schedule: on many engines a broken belt bends the valves.

Was the Lexus IS available with a diesel engine?

Yes: Toyota 2AD-FHV and Toyota 2AD-FTV.

Engine details

Toyota 2JZ-GE

Toyota 2JZ-GE

1991–2007 · 3.0 L R6 · petrol · 215–230 hp · belt

The design of the motor has no weaknesses, but at high mileage it consumes oil. The reason here, as usual, is the…

Toyota 3GR-FE

Toyota 3GR-FE

2003–2017 · 3.0 L V6 · petrol · 230 hp · chain

The well-known problem with the crackling of the phase regulators is fully present here.

Toyota 4GR-FSE

Toyota 4GR-FSE

2003–2020 · 2.5 L V6 · petrol · 205–215 hp · chain

A well-known problem with FSE units from the GR family is scuffing in the fifth cylinder. There are two different theories: local…

Toyota 2GR-FSE

Toyota 2GR-FSE

2004–2020 · 3.5 L V6 · petrol · 255–360 hp · chain

Many owners of such engines have encountered scuffing in the fifth cylinder and an oil burner. There are two theories for their…

Toyota 2AD-FHV

Toyota 2AD-FHV

2005–2015 · 2.2 L R4 · diesel · 170–177 hp · chain

First of all, engines from this line are known for regular breakdown of the cylinder head gasket and frequent erosion of the…

Toyota 2AD-FTV

Toyota 2AD-FTV

2005–2018 · 2.2 L R4 · diesel · 136–150 hp · chain

A well-known problem of the motor is the erosion of the mating surfaces of the block with the cylinder head and the…

Toyota 2UR-GSE

Toyota 2UR-GSE

2007–present · 5.0 L V8 · petrol · 416–477 hp · chain

Owners complain about moderate oil consumption up to 0.5 liters per 1000 km.

Toyota 2AR-FSE

Toyota 2AR-FSE

2012–present · 2.5 L R4 · petrol · 178 hp · chain

This motor is considered one of the most reliable in its class.

Toyota 8AR-FTS

Toyota 8AR-FTS

2014–present · 2.0 L R4 · petrol · 231–245 hp · chain

A number of owners complain about extraneous sounds when the engine is running during a cold start.

Toyota 2GR-FKS

Toyota 2GR-FKS

2015–present · 3.5 L V6 · petrol · 280–315 hp · chain

This power unit is considered reliable and serious damage was not noted.

Models with the same engines

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