Lexus IS First generation
Lexus IS (First generation) was built from 1998 to 2005, as a 4-door sedan; 5-door hatchback/station wagon. Powertrain: Petrol: 2.0 L 3S-GE I4 (SXE10; RS200); 2.0 L 1G-FE I6 (GXE10/15; IS 200/AS200); 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6 (JCE10/15; IS 300/AS300). Weight: IS 200: 1360 kg; IS 200 SportCross: 1430 kg; IS 300 5-Speed….
Composed from the specifications below, so it states nothing the specs do not. Photograph: IFCAR, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons), from this generation's own encyclopedia entry.
Overview
Produced as a direct competitor to the luxury sports sedans of the leading European luxury marques, the XE10 series Toyota Altezza and Lexus IS were designed with greater performance emphasis than typically seen on prior Japanese luxury vehicles. The engineering work was led by Nobuaki Katayama from 1994 to 1998 under the 038T program code. Design work which had been done in 1995 by Tomoyasu Nishi was frozen in 1996 and filed under patent number 1030135 on 5 December 1996, at the Japan Patent Office. At its introduction to Japan, it was exclusive to Japanese dealerships called Toyota Netz Store, until Lexus was introduced to Japan in 2006.
Source: the English Wikipedia article on this model, CC BY-SA 4.0. Text may be shortened; read the full article for the complete text.
Not yet sourced for this model. Used prices swing with year, mileage, grade and country, so we publish a market range only when it comes with a named source and a date, and never an estimate. For a live figure, use the landed-cost tool with the price on the auction sheet.
- Fuel use (combined)18 mpg = 13.1 L/100 kmEPA fueleconomy.gov, model year 2005, median of 2 listed variants (18 to 18 mpg)
- Fuel cost per 100 km19.6513.1 L x your fuel price
- Fuel cost per 10,000 km1965consumption x distance x your fuel price
Costs are in your own currency: they use the prices you enter above.
Who it suits
- Executive and chauffeur use: the saloon body prioritises rear-seat comfort and a quiet cabin.
- City and mixed driving: hatchbacks are compact outside and flexible inside.
Check before you buy
- Inspect for corrosion at sills, floor, subframes and suspension mounts, and replace perishable rubber (hoses, bushes, boots) at import.
- Read the auction sheet grade and notes, and verify the odometer against service and inspection records. How to read an auction sheet
- Run a history check (accidents, flood, mileage) before you bid. History check guide
- Import age rules: this generation already qualifies in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Confirm the rule for your exact vehicle with customs before buying. Landed-cost calculator
General guidance for this type of vehicle, worked out from its body, powertrain and age. It is not a finding about this particular model; use an inspection and the auction sheet for the car you are actually buying.
Worked out from this generation's production years and each country's age rule. Rules also depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
Other generations of the IS
- Second generation · 2005 - 2013 (sedan); 2007 - 2014 (IS F); 2009 - 2015 (IS C)
- Third generation · 2013 -present
More from Lexus · all Lexus models
- ES (Eighth generation) · 2025 - present
- GX (Third generation) · 2023 - present
- LBX · 2023 - present
- LM (Second generation) · 2023-present
- RZ · 2023-present
- TX · 2023 - present
Can I import a Lexus IS (First generation) from Japan?
By production year alone, Lexus IS (First generation) is inside the age window for United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia. Rules depend on vehicle type and the month of manufacture, so confirm with customs before you buy.
What powers the Lexus IS (First generation)?
Per its encyclopedia infobox, engine: Petrol: 2.0 L 3S-GE I4 (SXE10; RS200); 2.0 L 1G-FE I6 (GXE10/15; IS 200/AS200); 3.0 L 2JZ-GE I6 (JCE10/15; IS 300/AS300).
How much fuel does the Lexus IS (First generation) use?
The US EPA lists a combined 18 mpg (13.1 L/100 km) for model year 2005, the median of 2 listed variants. Your own figure depends on driving and condition.
Answered from this page's own data, not from outside claims. See the sources below.
- en.wikipedia.org (retrieved 2026-10-19)
- fueleconomy.gov (EPA) (2005)
Confidence: single-source (Wikipedia infobox). Specifications differ by market, trim and model year; the auction sheet or the vehicle's registration document is the final word on a particular car.
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