IS300

The IS300 is the North American designation for the first generation of the Lexus IS, a compact luxury sedan produced by Lexus from 2000 to 2005 (marketed in the United States as the IS 300). In Japan and other markets, the same vehicle was sold as the Toyota Altezza, and the first generation also gave rise to the IS 300 SportCross wagon in some regions.

Powertrain and performance: The IS300 is equipped with a 3.0-liter inline-six engine (Toyota 2JZ-GE) featuring variable valve timing. In North American form it produced about 215 horsepower and roughly 210–220 lb-ft of torque, depending on year and specification. Transmission options included a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The car is rear-wheel drive, with suspension tuned for sporty handling and, in certain markets, a sport package that added performance-oriented suspension tuning and larger wheels.

Design and features: The first-generation IS was built on the Altezza platform and shared its overall styling with the early 2000s Altezza design language, including a compact four-door sedan silhouette and a driver-focused interior. Equipment varied by market and trim, with available features such as leather seating, a premium audio system, anti-lock brakes, traction control, and, in some configurations, a limited-slip differential or sport-oriented enhancements.

Legacy: The IS300 was succeeded in 2006 by the second-generation Lexus IS lineup, which introduced IS 250 and IS 350 models with different engine choices. The IS300 name remains associated with the early IS line and is commonly referenced in discussions of Lexus’ first-generation sports sedans.