Lexus model name meanings explained – meaning of ES, GS, IS, RX and More

Every Lexus model is identified by a two-letter acronym, but these letters are not random. Each Lexus model name carries a meaning that is descriptive of the model upon which it appears, as we reveal below.

Lexus model name: ES – Executive Sedan

Originally launched alongside LS back in 1989, the mid-size Lexus Executive Sedan is recognised as the brand’s most popular saloon – a fact that has contributed to the seven-generation model’s availability in Europe from 2019 onwards.

Lexus model name: RX – Radiant Crossover

The RX model name stands for Radiant Crossover, although this term is seldom mentioned in literature related to RX. The word Radiant can be interpreted as representing the bright new future that Lexus envisioned at the car’s launch at the start of the Millennium. The model was our first sports utility vehicle, marking a Crossover point between a luxury saloon and an off-roader.

Lexus model name : GX – Grand Crossover

The Lexus Grand Crossover is a full-size luxury SUV sold in North American and Eurasian markets is built on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado platform. Lexus introduced the first generation, known as the GX 470 in 2002, and subsequently became the third SUV to enter the Lexus lineup.

Lexus model name: GS – Grand Sedan

The mid-size Grand Sedan followed in the footsteps of LS by adopting Sedan as a suffix. The prefix stood for Grand, which symbolised the model’s middle position within the Lexus saloon model line-up during its production.

Lexus model name: IS – Intelligent Sports

Since the arrival of the IS 200 in 1999, the Lexus IS range has always combined traditional Lexus qualities in a smaller, more mechanically dynamic package aimed at younger customers. Fittingly, IS stands for Intelligent Sports.

Lexus model name: NX – Nimble Crossover

Like its bigger brother, the Nimble Crossover NX marks the point at which a luxury mid-size saloon meets a capable off-road vehicle. Its smaller, more wieldy size endows it with a nimble nature that makes it a perfect tool for urban and country routes alike. The Lexus NX is named the “Nimble Crossover” of the lineup.

Lexus model name: LS

LS stands for Luxury Sedan. The original LS 400 – the car that launched Lexus back in 1989 – was the work of 60 designers, 1,400 engineers, 2,300 technicians and over 200 support workers. It was billed as the finest luxury car in the world by parent company Toyota as well as the motoring press. The Sedan part of the name refers to the model’s traditional four-door, two-box shape.

Lexus model name : LX – Luxury Crossover

The Lexus Luxury Crossover is a full-size luxury SUV sold by Lexus, a luxury division of Toyota since January 1996. The LX in the name stands for Luxury Crossover. Three generations have been produced, all based heavily on the long-running Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs.

Like many luxury brands, Lexus likes to create a sense of mystery and refinement by using abbreviations for their model names instead of coming right out and saying the name. It matches the minimalist exterior design found across the Lexus lineup, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do a little internet search and find out the meanings yourself.