Lexus Model Names Explained

There is no set of guidelines for carmakers to choose how to name their cars. Although there is generally some kind of story behind how a vehicle is named, in some cases the sources of inspiration are as wild as girls’ names or pure randomness. We also have a lot of numerals and seemingly random letters.

But we’re here now to discuss how the Japanese from Lexus are naming their cars. For some people, the carmaker’s way of doing things seems like is simply slaps random letters together. But the truth is every nameplate in its range has its own meaning.

To get to the bottom of what that means, we've decided to give you the meaning behind every badge you’ll find on Lexus models, past and present. And we’ll start with the first Lexus model ever made, trying after that to keep a chronological, not alphabetical, order.

Lexus LS (1989 - present)

At the end of the 1980s, Lexus decided to enter the automotive world with a large sedan that would be both luxurious, smooth looking and could stay on the roads for decades. The result? That would be the LS, a model you can still find on the streets, in its first-generation incarnation, even today.

That’s because 60 designers, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians, more than 200 support workers, and some millions of dollars were used to create the LS. And that’s a moniker that means Luxury Sedan, if you haven’t figured it out by now.

Lexus ES (1989 - present)

Next up in the line of cars Lexus made over the years is the ES, which is a made up word for Executive Sedan. That’s because it’s mainly an entry-level luxury sedan aimed at corporate fleets. Built in a front-wheel-drive configuration, the model is both luxurious and offers enough grunt to please its users.

Lexus SC (1992 - 2010)

This one is pretty easy, as it’s the company’s most straightforward name: Sport Coupe/Convertible. As a vehicle, and despite its styling, It’s quite roomy, has a classic front-engine-rear-wheel-drive configuration and the hardtop can be smoothly electrically folded into the boot.

Lexus GS (1994 - 2020)

Step it up one notch from the previous models and we have the mid-size GS, which stands for Grand Sedan. It’s not the biggest vehicle in the range as the name would have you believe, but the “grand” designation aims more to the luxury and comfort the car has to offer than to its actual size.

Lexus IS (1998 - present)

Another popular sedan in Lexus’ lineup is the IS model, which is supposed to stand for Intelligent Sports. That’s because the car is smartly packaged to offer both practicality and a decent dose of sportiness, thanks to the V6 engine that sits under the hood

Note that the first IS generation was also powered by the 2JZ-GE engine that was also deployed in the Toyota Supra. It was the non-turbo version, true, but that didn’t stop tuners from turning the IS into a meaner machine every time they had the chance to.

Lexus HS (2010 - 2012)

The HS is another sedan in the Lexus range, but this one is a bit different. The name stands for Hybrid Sedan and, as you’d expect from that name, it’s slapped on a vehicle powered by a hybrid system.

Lexus CT (2011 - 2017)

CT is short for Creative Touring. An artistic name, if you will, that masks the first compact to come with a hybrid powertrain. Under the hood you’ll find the same hybrid plant on the Toyota Prius - a 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle four-pot and an e-CVT attached next to it.

Lexus LFA (2012)

The LFA is the automaker’s only supercar, and only 500 of them were made in 2012. Its name expands to Lexus F-Sport Apex for the simple reason it is the most impressive vehicle ever made by the Japanese. The 2-seater was defined by extensive use of carbon fiber and lightweight aluminum. Its front end houses a 4.8-liter V10 engine mated to an automatic transmission in the back.

Lexus RC (2015 - present)

The Lexus lineup of vehicles introduced over the years its share of coupes, and one of the potent of the range was the RC, the two-door variant of the IS. The designation has to do with the thing’s gorgeous desing cues and imposing performance, and it is supposed to stand for Radical Coupe.

Lexus LC (2018 - present)

Despite being a very niche carmaker, Lexus plays in quite a number of segments, and for grand tourer lovers, it started offering the LC in 2017. That’s a contraction of the term Luxury Coupe, and it was meant to designate a model born from the LF-LC concept and to replace the SC.

LEXUS LM (2020 - present)

As said, Lexus plays in several segments, and it even dared back in 2020 to release something called the LM. That’s by all intents and purposes a Luxury Minivan, the first such design ever from the Japanese brand, and one meant to tackle a very lucrative segment in some world markets, the U.S. speecifically.

Lexus RZ (2023 - present)

As soon as electrification became a thing, Lexus joined the party with something called the RZ. Officially described as a small sport utility vehicle, the RZ is Lexus’ first dedicated EV. The name chosen for it is supposed to stand for Radiant Z-axis/Zero. Complicated, I know.

The X in SUVs

As you are well aware, Lexus also offers quite an extensive lineup of SUVs. All of them have a letter attached in the name alongside X. The X is technically meant to stand for the capabilities of the models and generally translates through crossover.

The range of Lexus SUV names includes the LBX (Lexus Breakthrough Crossover), UX (Urban Crossover), NX (Nimble Crossover), RX (Radiant Crossover), TX (Touring Crossover), GX (Grand Crossover), and LX (Luxury SUV).

Other designations

Along with these names you will find in all Lexus models some numbers stuck to them. They are usually meant to point to the engine size - for example the IS 250 will say it has a 2.5-liter engine. But that’s not the case with all the models, especially when it comes to the hybrids.

h - this letter is usually found after the number in the nameplate (GS 450h) and obviously stands for hybrid.

F - this letter is found on the performance models, and stands for Fuji Speedway, the racing circuit in Japan where these machines are usually tested. The track also inspired the shape of the F emblem using the shape of the first corner, 27R. From time to time it could also mean flagship.

F Sport - do not confuse this with the single F, as this is only a sporty package inspired by the F performance branch. Sort of an M like BMW has.

L - this is found on long wheelbase models like the LS 600h L and obviously stands for long.

LF - apart from the LFA model, the LF designation is for concept cars and it stands for Lexus Future.