Jump LinksWhen knowledgeable car enthusiasts get together to talk about engines, they may champion the Toyota 2JZ as one of the best of all time. To many, this powerplant is legendary and bulletproof, with plenty of potential in its base form and the capability to produce absurd horsepower figures for those who know what they’re doing.However, if you want to sample the 2JZ in its most famous application, you may have to fork out a lot of money for a twin-turbocharged fourth-generation Toyota Supra. There are many other ways to experience the 2JZ, though. For example, check out the Lexus IS 300 SportCross for a rear-wheel-drive wagon with plenty of leather and other refinements that make this model one of the most rational ways to experience the famous powerplant. An Affordable Way To Get A 2JZ LexusToyota's 2JZ-GE engine works very well in the IS 300 SportCross. It's a naturally aspirated inline-six displacing just under 3.0 liters (2,997 cc). It has a cast-iron block with an aluminum, dual-overhead cam, 24-valve cylinder head and Toyota's VVT-i variable valve timing system.In the SportCross, the unit makes 215 horsepower and 218 pound-feet of torque. While those figures are not particularly dramatic today, they only tell part of the story. After all, this engine is a legend in its own lifetime due to its solid architecture, deep-skirt iron block, forged crankshaft, and nicely balanced inline-six configuration, which should be very durable yet fun to drive over thousands of miles.The SportCross wagon comes exclusively with a five-speed automatic. The IS 300 sedan offers both a five-speed manual or the automatic gearbox.This model is also very appealing today due to its affordability. You can find good examples of the IS 300 Sport Cross for low five-figure sums, typically between $10,000 and $18,000, depending on condition and mileage. Compare that to a clean MK4 Supra example with this engine, and you may have to spend $70,000, with some low-mileage turbocharged examples reaching well over six figures.So, in perspective, the IS 300 SportCross gives you much of what you might expect from the Supra, but for a fraction of the money. You'd get factory 2JZ engineering, with rear-wheel-drive balance, and Lexus build quality in a vehicle that originated from Toyota's luxury division. The SportCross Is Perhaps The Classiest Interpretation Of A 2JZ Lexus In enthusiast circles, the 2JZ is mostly associated with big wings, loud exhausts, modified street builds, and tuner culture. However, with a SportCross, you'll get the same level of core engineering in a relatively restrained, mature, and compact luxury wagon. Step inside to find a distinctive interior with a chronograph-inspired gauge cluster, metallic finishes, and all the hallmarks of the first-generation Lexus IS. There's plenty of durable leather and other high-quality materials, and several premium features come as standard, including a high-quality audio system.Today, the SportCross is aging gracefully and still looks balanced. It has a rear hatch that integrates cleanly into the bodywork, and unlike some overly dramatic creations today, there aren't any aggressive aero cues or oversized intakes. You can be perfectly anonymous in this well-kept Lexus wagon if you want, and park it anywhere without drawing a crowd. That certainly wouldn't be the case with a period Toyota Supra, which is more of a cultural symbol that draws plenty of attention wherever it goes.The SportCross also compares well with other vehicles from that area that use some 2JZ power. For example, alongside the larger Lexus GS 300, the IS platform feels more driver-focused and tighter. And when you add the wagon body of this SportCross, you'll get a sharp vehicle with everyday usability. The 2JZ-GE Feels Over-Engineered Lexus The naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE on board the SportCross is surely less spectacular than the twin-turbo GTE variant within the Supra, but the fundamentals are largely the same. You've still got an iron block giving you good rigidity and thermal stability, and the inline-six configuration is certainly as balanced as they come. You’ll notice that strong engineering base on the road as well, as the engine idles with minimal vibration and delivers its power progressively. You can look forward to smooth acceleration that unfolds very predictably, perfectly suiting the dual personality of the SportCross.While the 215 hp power rating is not that spectacular compared to modern turbo four cylinders, some of those newcomers surely don't have the same mechanical character as this naturally aspirated straight-six. Driving enthusiasts might have had more fun if this vehicle had a manual transmission instead of its automatic. Still, there again, this wagon was always going to be more of a grand tourer rather than an outright performer.The powerplant can certainly cruise quietly along the highway all day, but the mill still has plenty of power on tap should you need to deploy it. You don’t have to look at the more spectacular versions of the 2JZ architecture to understand this engine's structural integrity. And if you’re seeking long-term ownership over and above any short-term thrills, then there's every reason to have plenty of trust in this unit. The Market Still Undervalues the SportCross Lexus You may be wondering why the SportCross is relatively affordable given those engine credentials, and the answer lies in several areas. To start with, the SportCross is a wagon, and the segment remains a niche in the US. The car's automatic transmission narrows its appeal among purists. At the same time, the vehicle's understated styling is not the flavor of the month for those looking for performance-oriented Toyotas from that era.However, for those who find the appeal of this SportCross alluring, bargains await, and ongoing ownership should also remain quite straightforward compared with modern standards. Maintenance is easy enough, so long as you pay close attention to timing belt service, since the 2JZ uses a belt-driven cam system. Inspect typical wear components, suspension bushings, and aging shocks, and be aware that rust can sometimes be an issue, especially in northern climates and around the underbody seams.The SportCross seems to be occupying a rare middle ground in the market today. It's not particularly rare, so prices aren't prohibitive, but the car is still distinctive enough to appeal to genuine enthusiasts. And as it can sometimes be hard to justify the value of a Supra, the SportCross may become increasingly logical. A SportCross Offers A Grown-Up Way To Own A 2JZ Lexus If you really want to sample the 2JZ in its most spectacular form, you need to seek out a tuned Supra. You'd then get plenty of pop culture prominence, a dose of racing heritage, and a turbocharged GTE engine in the same package. However, you may not be able to treat that vehicle as a daily driver, as many fourth-gen Supra owners tend to view it as an asset they need to protect.Meanwhile, the IS 300 SportCross offers a different path for the knowledgeable. You still get some of Toyota's authentic 2JZ engineering, but in a format that works in real life. You'll also get real-wheel-drive balance, Lexus quality, and wagon practicality as part of this well-rounded solution. And while the SportCross is unlikely to headline major auction events and probably won't double in value overnight, it does scream restraint where restraint is needed. Perhaps that's what makes this package most appealing of all.The Lexus IS 300 SportCross is practical but not boring and suitably refined without being sterile. It's also mechanically authentic without being financially reckless. The wagon offers you the chance to sample some 2JZ magic without a six-figure price tag.
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