Toyota’s JZ engines have become iconic, and not just for auto experts. Their high performance, potent acceleration, and use in Toyota’s sporty cars, such as the Supra, have helped make the 1JZ and 2JZ engines household names. Since Lexus cooperates closely with Toyota in developing its luxurious interiors and robust power trains, it should hardly come as a surprise to learn that several Lexus models have relied on the JZ engine design to lead their power trains. Here’s a closer look at the Lexus models that featured a 2JZ engine.
What Is the 2JZ Engine?
Toyota developed the 1JZ and 2JZ engines in the early 1990s, with production beginning in 1991. These units were inline-six engines built as either 2.5-liter or 3.0-liter engines. As the numbers suggest, the 1JZ engine was the smaller of the two, while the 2JZ engine was the 3.0-liter version. Toyota built the 1JZ and 2JZ engines in various configurations, and they were fitted into vehicles from 1991 until 2007. Important milestones for the 2JZ engine during this period included the development of the 2JZ-GTE as a turbocharged six-cylinder unit and the release of the 2JZ-FSE in 2000.
The 2JZ-GTE achieved an output of up to 320 horsepower using stainless-steel turbochargers and bigger injectors. In 2000, with the introduction of the 2JZ-FSE, Toyota aimed to retain the engine’s impressive performance numbers while improving its fuel efficiency. The 2JZ-FSE is the lesser-known of the 2JZ engine variants, but it continued to feature in vehicles until Toyota discontinued the 2JZ line in 2007. The 3.0-liter 2JZ-FSE featured a compression ratio of 11.3:1 and was a direct injection engine.
Regardless of the 2JZ engine variant you use, it has several advantages over its competitors. The 2JZ models produced for their time an unprecedented level of performance for sports cars and other compact vehicles. The six-cylinder inline setup created a powerful unit that could compete with larger engines that required more fuel and were less efficient. In addition, the efficiency meant that these compact engines could provide the power drivers wanted combined with agile handling.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the Lexus vehicles that featured a 2JZ engine.
Lexus IS 300
The Lexus IS has established itself as a great small sedan with sporty aspects. When it first hit the road, it came with a four-cylinder engine, but it got an upgrade for the 2000 model year to a 2JZ-GE engine. Unlike other 2JZ engines in Toyotas, the IS engine did not include turbocharging. The more relaxed ride still generated 217 horsepower and 218 lb-ft of torque from the 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit. In the IS, the 2JZ showcased its versatility as an engine that could provide a refined ride and raw power.
The IS series is still available today. It’s a popular choice among buyers who need a compact car for city driving but still want luxury and sporty handling. You can seat five people across two rows, and the latest models offer about 11 cubic feet of storage in the trunk.
You can purchase the IS with various engines, including a base turbocharged four-cylinder unit, a six-cylinder alternative, and a V-8 monster that pushes output towards 500 horsepower. Even though the 2JZ no longer plays a role in the IS’s latest editions, it’s still a fun vehicle to drive.
Lexus GS 300
The Lexus GS 300 had a naturally aspirated 2JZ engine capable of generating 227 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Some referred to this vehicle as “the gentleman’s Supra,” a reference to the fact that it provided a more upscale feel than Toyota’s famous sports car while retaining some of its sporty excitement. In some markets outside North America and Europe, Toyota sold the GS as the Toyota Aristo. Aristos came with a turbocharged version of the 2JZ engine that boosted output to 276 horsepower.
The GS was discontinued in the U.S. market following the 2020 model year. The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) sedan was sold alongside the Lexus ES, which is a similarly sized sedan with front-wheel drive. Drivers looking for a bit more space in the cabin than the more compact IS can still get behind the wheel of an ES, which provides an upscale driving experience. As for the GS, its last model year included an exclusive Black Line edition with dark accents and red interior trim. Used versions of this vehicle are a good choice if you want an RWD sedan’s acceleration.
Lexus SC 300
The Lexus SC was a two-door coupe that competed with the Supra in the U.S. market during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Its first-generation setup included a 2JZ turbocharged engine with 225 horsepower, giving it a slight edge over the Supra. The SC proved to be less popular than the Supra. When the second-generation model was released, it dropped the 2JZ engine in favor of a V-8 unit.
When the Lexus SC was discontinued in the U.S., buyers still had an option if they were searching for a Lexus coupe. The Lexus LC is a coupe that comes in a convertible model. You can choose between a powerful V-8 engine for maximum performance or a more fuel-efficient hybrid six-cylinder engine.
Check Out the Lexus Lineup at Longo Lexus in El Monte, California
If you’d like to know more about Lexus’s impressive range of sports cars, sedans, and crossovers, we’re here to help. You can browse our online inventory or drop by our showroom to chat with one of our knowledgeable sales team members. We can also help you with tips if you’re looking for a used Lexus with the ever-popular 2JZ engine. Once you’ve decided on the vehicle you’d like to purchase, you can head to our finance center to learn more about your leasing or auto loan options.
Image by Arad Razaghi is licensed with Unsplash License
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