In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare asked, “What’s in a name?” Archaeologists hailed the discovery of the Rosetta stone as it allowed them to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphs. Meanwhile, the Jackson Five famously sang “ABC, as easy as one, two, three.” You will need to keep all of these things in mind when you are considering buying a Lexus. This is because in naming its lineup of sedans, SUVs, coupes, and EVs, Lexus dispensed with the usual way other automakers came up with names.
If you are looking for a great way to get around town and are trying to figure out which pre-owned Lexus is right for you, we can help. Lexus of Queens is your used Lexus dealership with a great selection of vehicles to choose from. We have a vast inventory of used Lexus SUVs, EVs, coupes, and sedans, as well as a working knowledge of the reason behind the Lexus model names.
While many other leading brands chose to name their vehicles after animals, fictional creatures, and vacation hot spots, Lexus went with simple letters and numbers. This is why you see Lexus models like the ES 250, RX 350, and RC 300. Those letters and numbers aren’t random, but you may need a vehicular Rosetta stone to figure them out.
Second Things First
The easiest way to understand Lexus model names is to start with the letters. As you probably noticed, most Lexus vehicles have two letters to start their names, followed by a three-digit number. There are a few exceptions, like the RC F sports coupe, but we will get to that one in a minute.
The best way to approach the two letters is to start with the second letter. Yes, that may sound strange, but the second letter denotes the vehicle type. If you are looking at a Lexus IS 500, you will notice that the model is a four-door sedan. In other words, the S stands for Sedan. Similarly, if you are considering an LC 500, you will see that this is a two-door coupe. Again, C stands for Coupe. But what does the X in the Lexus GX 550 mean? This is a three-row SUV, but there is nothing in X that matches this. The answer is that X stands for Crossover or 4x4.
One of the newer models in the Lexus lineup is the RZ. This comes in RZ 300e and RZ 450e versions. In this case, Z stands for Zero. The reason is that the RZ is a battery electric vehicle (BEV), the first produced by Lexus. The brand went with Z because the vehicle has zero emissions.
First Initials
Once you have determined the type of vehicle with the second letter, you will have to look at the first letter to get a better idea of the specific model. Each first letter has a specific meaning. For example, the L in LX stands for Luxury. This is why you also see it in the LS and LC, the other top-tier models from Lexus. The LX is the Luxury SUV, the LS is the Luxury Sedan, and the LC is the Luxury Coupe. We also see the letter R used multiple times in the popular RX midsize SUV, the new RZ electric SUV, and the RC sports coupe. Here, R stands for Radiant. These are the only first letters repeated across vehicle types.
Looking at the remaining Lexus sedans, we see the IS compact and ES midsize models. IS stands for Intelligent Sedan, while ES is Executive Sedan. That makes sense, as an IS may be driven by someone looking for a blend of fuel economy and performance, while the larger Lexus ES is perfect for business people who want a model that can also work well as the family car.
Lexus also has a great lineup of SUVs, accounting for more models than any other type of vehicle the brand produces. In addition to the LX and RX, we have the UX, a subcompact SUV. The U stands for Urban, as many city dwellers may find its incredible fuel economy and small size ideal for city living. The NX stands for Nimble Crossover, and this compact SUV is designed to get you safely and easily through traffic, making it a good model for a commuter.
One of largest SUV models in the Lexus lineup is the GX. Here, G stands for Grand. This makes sense, as this three-row model is perfect for large families. Also, for Queens drivers, you will look grand in your Lexus GX driving on the Grand Central Parkway. The newest model in the lineup is the Lexus TX, and this three-row SUV is all about Touring, giving you the comfort and convenience features you need when heading out on a long drive.
This brings us back to the one anomaly, the Lexus RC F. This has three letters. We know the first stands for Radiant and the second for Coupe. As for the last F, it stands for the Fuji Speedway, one of the greatest race tracks in Japan. Lexus wants you to know that this model is capable of driving on a track. However, please keep in mind that the Grand Central Parkway is not the Fuji Speedway.
Feel Like a Number
Other than the RC F, one thing most Lexus model names have in common is a three-digit number after the two letters. This number usually denotes the engine displacement of the vehicle. This is the volume of air moved by the piston inside the cylinders, measured in cubic centimeters. The more displacement you have, the more powerful the engine will be. If you are looking at a Lexus ES, the ES 350 will have more displacement than the ES 350, meaning a 3.5-liter engine as compared to a 2.5-liter one.
The question then arises about the RZ model. This is a BEV, meaning that it has electric motors powered by a battery pack. There are no pistons and cylinders. Here, the engineers can estimate displacement based on the horsepower produced by the electric motors. As a result, the single-motor RZ 300e has 201 hp, while the more powerful dual-motor RZ 450e produces 308 hp. Even some gas models don't play strictly by the rules, such as how the RC 300 and RC 350 both have 3.5-liter engines, just with different amounts of power.
Little Letters
You may have noticed something else with the Lexus model names. Some have little letters or symbols after the three-digit number. These also mean something. If you see an “h” after a number, like the Lexus NX 350h, this means the vehicle is a hybrid and combines a conventional gas engine with an electric motor powered by a battery. At lower speeds, the electric motor will supplement or take over for the gas engine. This is why hybrids like the NX 350h get amazing fuel economy in city driving.
Lexus also makes plug-in hybrids. These models add a charging port, so you can keep the battery charged by plugging it in at home or on the road at a public charging station. Lexus uses the plus sign after the three-digit number to let you know that the model is a plug-in hybrid, like the TX 550h+ and the NX 450h+. Currently, Lexus offers hybrid versions of the UX, NX, RX, TX, ES, LS, and LC, as well as plug-in hybrids for the NX, RX, and TX.
As for the RZ, this model gets a little e after the number to signify that it is a fully electric BEV. In the future, we will probably be seeing a great many more Lexus models with an e at the end of their names. Many drivers are sure to find that e stands for excellent, as they will no longer be subject to the fluctuating price of gas here in Queens.
Make Your Next Model a Lexus!
Now that you know how to understand the meaning of Lexus model names, you need to make one your own. Simply use your newfound knowledge to choose the right Lexus you want with the type of style and powertrain you desire. Contact us, or come to our dealership today and show off to the other customers while driving home with your next used Lexus sedan, coupe, SUV, or EV.