In 2001, Toyota-subsidiary Lexus introduced the IS 300 sports sedan, which built on the design of Toyota's Japanese domestic market Altezza. Lexus manufactured this car from 2001 to 2005, replacing it in 2006 with an expanded Lexus lineup of the IS 250 and IS 350. The company introduced the IS 300 SportCross wagon in 2002, and continued that model until 2005. A 2005 IS 300 sedan retailed for $29,735 to $31,105.
Competitors
Lexus built the IS 300 to compete with similar sports sedans from American, European and Japanese luxury car makers, such as the BMW 3-series, Lincoln LS, Mercedes Benz C320 Sport and the Acura TL. The IS 300 SportCross wagon sold in the same class as the Saab 9-5 SportWagon, Mercedes-Benz C-Class Wagon and the Audi A4 Avant.
Engine
Lexus only offered one engine for all model years and styles of the IS 300, a 3.0-liter in-line-six-cylinder. This engine consisted of an aluminum block and aluminum heads. Both its bore and stroke measured 3.39 inches. It had a compression ratio of 10.5-to-1 and an overall displacement of 2,997 cc. The IS 300 engine used a sequential electronic fuel injection system. It had dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder.
This 3.0 in-line-six generated 215 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 218 foot-pounds of torque at 3,800 rpm. The engine redlined at 6,250 rpm.
Transmission
In 2001, Lexus only offered the IS 300 with its five-speed automatic E-Shift transmission, which included a set of steering-wheel mounted buttons that enabled drivers to disengage the automatic and shift through the gears manually while driving. Lexus made a five-speed manual transmission available in 2002. Both of these transmissions transferred power to the rear axle.
Performance
Car and Driver Magazine reported a 0-to-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 15.9 seconds at a speed of 89 mph. The 2001 IS 300 achieved a top speed of 144 mph. The Cars.com website reported that the 2005 automatic transmission sedan accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.42 seconds and crossed the quarter-mile in 15.5 seconds with a speed of 88.6 mph.
The 2001 automatic transmission model earned 18 mpg during city driving and 23 mpg on the highway. When the Automotive.com website tested a manual transmission 2005 IS 300 SportCross, it reported a fuel economy of 18 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highways.
Dimensions
Toyota built all model years of the IS 300 sedan and sport wagon on the same chassis. This platform gave all models a 105.1-inch wheelbase and a length of 176.6 inches for sedans and 177 inches for the sport wagons. Sedan models stood 55.5 inches in height with a width of 67.7 inches in 2001 and 67.9 inches in 2005. An IS 300 SportCross had a height of 56.7 inches and a width of 67.9 inches. All models sat five.
Features
Standard features in 2005 included 17-inch alloy wheels with P215/45ZR17 tires, power windows, doors and power heated mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, fog lights, an AM/FM stereo with cassette and 6-CD changer and remote keyless entry. Optional features on the 2005 model included leather heated power front seats and power sunroof.
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