The Toyota Altezza is a compact rear-wheel-drive sports sedan sold in Japan from 1998 to 2005. Outside Japan the same car was sold as the first-generation Lexus IS (IS200 and IS300).
Key takeaways
- The Altezza was built from 1998 to 2005 and won the 1998–1999 Japan Car of the Year award.
- The RS200 has a high-revving 2.0-litre four-cylinder; the AS200 and the Gita-only AS300 have smoother straight-six engines.
- A wagon, the Altezza Gita, was added in 2001.
- Every Altezza is now too old for Kenya, Zimbabwe and other countries with strict age limits.
History of the Toyota Altezza
Toyota launched the Altezza in Japan in 1998 as a sporty compact sedan with rear-wheel drive, a layout usually found in European premium sedans. It won the Japan Car of the Year award for 1998–1999.
From 1999 the car was sold in other markets as the Lexus IS. The Altezza name ended in Japan in 2005, when the next-generation IS arrived in Japan under the Lexus brand.
Design and interior
The Altezza has a low, wide stance and short overhangs. Its clear-lens tail lights were so widely copied by the aftermarket that “Altezza lights” became a common name for that style.
The cabin is driver-focused, with a chronograph-style instrument cluster on many cars. There is room for four adults, and higher grades added features such as leather trim and a sunroof.
Ground clearance is low and the suspension is tuned for roads, so this is not a car for rough tracks.
Engines and grades
| Grade | Body | Engine | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| RS200 | Sedan | 2.0-litre 3S-GE four-cylinder | The sporty version; manual or automatic |
| AS200 | Sedan and Gita wagon | 2.0-litre 1G-FE straight-six | Smoother and more relaxed |
| AS300 | Gita wagon only (in Japan) | 3.0-litre 2JZ-GE straight-six | More power, automatic only |
All versions use double-wishbone suspension at the front and rear, which is a big part of why the Altezza is known for good handling.
You can check current listings in our Toyota Altezza stock or browse all Toyota stock.
Import age rules: check first
The newest Altezza was built in 2005. That rules it out for Kenya (first registration in 2019 or later only), Zimbabwe (under 10 years from manufacture) and Uganda (under 15 years from manufacture). Check your own country with our import age checker before you shortlist one.
What to check before you buy
- Modifications: the Altezza is popular with tuners. Check for lowered suspension, aftermarket exhausts and engine changes, and prefer standard cars.
- Timing belt: the 3S-GE, 1G-FE and 2JZ-GE engines use a timing belt. Ask when it was last changed.
- Clutch and gearbox: on manual RS200s, check for clutch slip and worn synchros.
- Suspension: worn bushes and ball joints are common on hard-driven cars.
- Rust and accident repairs: check sills, floor and inner wings, and compare with the auction sheet using our auction sheet decoder.
Only pay to accounts in the name of an exporter you have verified; see how to avoid scams when buying cars from Japan.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Altezza the same as the Lexus IS200?
Yes. The first-generation Lexus IS is the export version of the Altezza, with some differences in engines and equipment by market.
Which Altezza is the sporty one?
The RS200, with the 3S-GE four-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox option.
Are Altezzas manual or automatic?
Both exist. The RS200 was offered with a manual or an automatic gearbox; most six-cylinder cars are automatics, and the AS300 is automatic only. Check the listing, because manual cars are less common.
What is the Altezza Gita?
The Gita is the wagon version, added in 2001 with six-cylinder engines; in Japan it was the only Altezza with the 3.0-litre AS300 engine. It is sold abroad as the Lexus IS SportCross.
Can I import an Altezza to Kenya?
No. Kenya accepts only cars first registered on or after 1 January 2019 under the 2026 rule, and the Altezza ended in 2005.
More Toyota models are in our Toyota car guides. If you like rear-wheel-drive sedans, read Toyota Mark X vs Premio.
