If you’re looking for your next vehicle for driving in El Monte, California, you may have your eye on a Lexus. With so many types of Lexus cars available, how do you determine which one is the best fit for your needs? Lexus uses a distinctive naming system for its vehicles, using specific letters that tell you more about the car once you understand their meaning. Getting familiar with these letters helps you cut through the confusion of Lexus model differences. Keep reading to learn how to use this simple guide for finding your dream vehicle.
Origins: The Evolution of Lexus Naming Conventions
In 1983, Eiji Toyoda, the founder of Toyota, initiated a project to develop a luxury sedan for global markets. At the beginning of 1989, the first-ever Lexus, the LS 400, hit showrooms, with sales kicking off that September through 81 dealers across the U.S. The LS name stands for Luxury Sedan, fitting for the car that put Lexus on the map.
Toyota created Lexus as its label for high-end cars sold outside Japan. Instead of naming cars with words, as some brands do, Toyota chose a letter system that made it easier for buyers to identify what they were looking at. This straightforward naming approach made sense to buyers and helped set Lexus apart from the crowd in those early years.
Decoding Common Lexus Model Initials
Lexus model names follow a specific pattern: two letters followed by a three-digit number. The first letter indicates the car’s class, while the second letter denotes the body style. For example, look at the ES. The E stands for Executive and the S for Sedan, so the ES means Executive Sedan, which is Lexus’ midsize luxury car for professionals. But the letters can get tricky sometimes. In the IS, a smaller, zippier luxury sedan, the S doesn’t stand for Sedan, but rather Sports. The I is for Intelligent. So, the letters stand for Intelligent Sports.
The letters in the brand’s best-selling model, the RX, mean Radiant Crossover. If you want something comfortable for driving in El Monte, the Urban Crossover, or UX, is compact and easy to park but still offers the Lexus luxury feel. Other popular models include the Luxury Coupe, or LC, for those who prefer something sleek and sporty and the Nimble Crossover, or NX, for those who need a compact SUV.
Detailed Overview of Lesser-Known Lexus Models
Not all Lexus models have staying power. The Grand Sedan, or GS, aimed to compete with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series, but it had poor sales. Then there was the Creative Touring, or CT, a small hybrid hatchback from 2011 with 134 hp and a sluggish 0-to-60 mph time of 10.1 seconds. Due to its lackluster performance and the absence of other engine options, Lexus discontinued the U.S. version in 2017. Some models didn’t connect with buyers. The Hybrid Sedan or HS 250h failed to sell well.
On the sportier side, the Radical Coupe, or RC, brings excitement, while the Grand Crossover, or GX, offers a truck-based SUV option for luxury with off-road capability. For larger families, the Luxury Crossover, or LX, is the top SUV, while the newer Touring Crossover, or TX, offers three-row seating. The TX500h F SPORT Performance Premium packs 366 hp from its 2.4-liter turbo hybrid setup and costs $70,110. If you want an all-electric option, check out the Radiant Zero, or RZ, which offers up to 308 hp and can go up to 266 miles on a charge.
Numerical and Special Designations
For most Lexus cars, the numbers after the letters show the engine size, so an ES 350 has a 3.5-liter engine. Electric models work differently, though. The RZ 300e gets 201 hp from a single motor, while the RZ 450e jumps to 308 hp with dual motors. This number system gives you a quick way to judge how powerful a car is before you even look under the hood.
Lexus uses additional letters and symbols to provide more information about each car. These codes help you understand the type of engine and performance each Lexus offers before you take a test-drive. If you see an h after the number, such as in the NX 350h, that means it’s a hybrid vehicle, which combines gasoline and electric power.
An F badge on a vehicle, such as the RC F, indicates that it’s part of the high-performance line, named after Fuji Speedway in Japan, where the brand tests these versions. Don’t confuse that with F SPORT packages though; those add sporty touches but don’t go full racecar like the true F models do.
You’ll find other clues too. A plus sign (+) indicates it’s a plug-in hybrid, such as the TX 550h+. The letter e tells you it’s a fully electric model. Some models use multiple letters. For example, the RC F combines Radiant (R), Coupe (C), and Fuji Speedway performance (F).
Find the Perfect Lexus Model for You
Understanding what those Lexus letters mean lets you shop smarter. When choosing your Lexus, consider the vehicle’s long-term value, your budget, driving preferences, and any must-have features. Match the car class to your lifestyle.
Do you need help determining which Lexus model suits your needs? Contact us or drop by our dealership to chat with our team. We’ll translate all those letters and numbers into the perfect car for you, and you can take some test-drives to experience the differences yourself.
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