Lexus Models and their JDM Counterparts (Photos)
Toyota had to invent Lexus to present high end vehicles to consumers in the United States, many of which were still Toyota models at home. Some of these are exact copies while others have clear differences that stand out. Check out the JDM sibling of your favorite Lexus models.
1. The Soarer
Known to us stateside as the Lexus SC, the Soarer was available for purchase from both Toyota and Toyopet Stores, as it replaced the mark II Coupe and was a new entry in the Z10. The third generation of the Z series, the Z30, debuted in 1991 as the Soarer. Exterior wise the SC and the Soarer appeared identical but there are differences between the two under the skin. For one, the powertrains the two cars had were different, in that there were multiple unique configuration options in Japan. The Soarer was the halo car for Toyota and debuted new tech before it would eventually trickle down the product line to lesser models. When the fourth-gen Soarer debuted (SC 430) it was virtually identical inside and out to what we received from Lexus here.
2. The Altezza
The Altezza translates to "highness" and is the alter ego of the Lexus Intelligent Sport (IS). The Altezza owns the distinction of bringing to market the now omnipresent clear chrome taillights that have become known as "Altezza lights." The Altezza AS200 sedan and Altezza Gita AS300 was the basis for the IS 200 and IS 300 respectively. The AS300 was the only Altezza that received the 2JZ-GE engine that was standard in the IS 300 sedan. When the car debuted it won Japan's "Car of the Year" award for 1998-1999.
3. The Celsior
In the mid-1980's Toyota started their secret program to create a luxury division in order to sell high end luxury vehicles overseas. The Luxury Sedan (LS) was the first to be developed and carried many tech features that put it in a forward thinking realm among other luxury sedans. When Japanese Toyota dealerships started to get green with envy at the car that was destined for America, Toyota created the Celsior. The name comes from the Latin word for "supreme" and came in three different specs for each kind of consumer. There was a baseline basic model, a model with upgraded performance suspension, and a fully loaded model. The Celsior brought two new bits of technology to the market: high-performance twin-tube shock absorbers, and an air suspension combined with an upgraded semi-active damper suspension.
4. The Aristo
The Aristo has been around since 1991 but we didn't get the car until it was introduced in 1993 as the Grand Sedan or Grand Sport (GS). The Aristo, translated from Greek as "the best," is a car that's a rear wheel drive mid-size luxury car that bridged the gap between the Altezza and the Celsior. The GS and Aristo were damn near identical for their run with the only differences being the engine and transmission combinations that were offered in Japan, in addition to varying equipment packages. One notable difference between the Aristo and the GS was that the first generation of the Aristo received the twin-turbo 2JZ-GTE engine that would go on to be famously installed in the Supra RZ. Fun fact: Toyota Chairman Hiroshi Okuda owned an Aristo as his personal vehicle of choice.
5. The Windom
The JDM Windom first came about back in 1989, but hit our shores as the Elegant Sedan (ES). The name Windom comes from "win" and the suffix "dom" which indicates a state of perpetual victory. The Windom in 1991 had a 2.5-liter 4VZ-FE version of the Toyota V6 engine that put out 172 horsepower, while the ES we received had a standard 3.0-liter that put out 185 horsepower. The cars were mostly the same and slight engine variations were mainly the only differences between the two variants.
6. The Harrier
The Lexus RX has a different identity as the Harrier back in Japan. The Harrier marks a return to the dual branding that existed from the 1990's to the mid-2000's that Toyota made use of with the Lexus brand. The Harrier aesthetically is the evolution of the SUV in a more aggressive direction. There were changes to the front, a new larger grille, larger air intakes that resembled those from the Avalon sedan, and Altezza like chrome taillights. Out back, the SUV got the sporty addition of an integrated tailgate spoiler.
What do you guys think about these doppelganger vehicles? Are you okay with what we received as Lexus, or do you feel any sting at getting a vehicle variation?
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