Price: $59,600–$65,100
6.8 /10
Rating
Pros
- Luxurious, high-quality interior materials
- Strong acceleration performance
- Smooth, serene ride quality
Cons
- Controversial yoke steering design
- Limited driving range capacity
- Outdated charging tech specs
Overview:
The RZ450e is Lexus’s polite attempt to join the EVs party it RSVP’d back in 2005 with the first hybrid RX. Built on Toyota’s e-TNGA architecture (read: Toyota bZ4X in a tailored suit), it’s five inches longer than the RX but shares its 112.2-inch wheelbase, so parking this wider, bulkier EV eats garage space like a Netflix binge. Battery propulsion? Underwhelming stats: 220 miles of range trails the Tesla Model Y and Audi Q4 e-tron, and acceleration feels as unenthusiastic as a DMV line. Yet the cabin shames the Mercedes-Benz EQB and Volvo XC40 Recharge with actual luxury, and the ride quality? Silent-judgment smooth. Priced fractionally lower than the Cadillac Lyriq and Genesis GV70, it’s a luxury brand EV that’s competent but forgettable—like a conscript forced into a war it didn’t start.
Design: When “Bold” Meets “Wait, Why?”
Lexus mates the RZ450e’s styling to the bZ4X platform but slaps on RX-inspired aggression: a gloss-black hood, blacked-out C-pillars, and a panoramic glass roof that’s optional (of course). The roofline’s rearward plunge looks dynamic but murders visibility—A-pillars could hide a Prius. At least the materials scream upscale, though the synthetic trim near the floor feels like a cheapskate edition.
Inside, the yoke steering is a love-it-or-loathe-it feature—turning feels like negotiating with a toddler. The NuLuxe seats are padded enough for a cross-country haul, and the console’s wireless phone tray mates practicality with Lexus’ premium theme. But why bury climate controls in the touchscreen? Even the volume knob seems like an afterthought. Rear legroom? Let’s just say adults should opt for the front.
Hey Lexus, locking the heated wheel behind a subscription is cheap—this isn’t a Smartphone-as-key app store. The digital instrumentation looks sharp, but the buttons feel like they’ll start a campaign against fingerprints. Despite quirks, the build quality shames most EVs—just don’t debate the yoke over coffee.
What's New?
Finally, Lexus plugs into the future with its first all-electric entrant, the 2023 RZ—a brand’s bold leap into the all-new EV arena. As the all-electric flagship joining the lineup, it swaps growling engines for silent urgency, though seasoned EV drivers might crave more range. My first drive felt like stepping into a Lexus-polished spaceship: impeccably crafted, yet the offering nudges you to ask, “Where’s the charging-speed magic?”
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Best Choice
Powertrain & Performance
Stomp the pedal, and the dual-motor, all-electric powertrain responds with 308 horsepower—fairly brisk for a Lexus, though not as hair-raising as the Jaguar I-Pace. The Direct4 system juggles torque seamlessly, giving the all-wheel drive setup a nimble edge on winding roads. During my initial test drive, hitting 60 mph in 4.6 seconds (confirmed on a test track) felt effortless, but the Volvo C40 Recharge still edges ahead in raw drama.
Personal take: The yoke-style steering wheel (an option alongside the regular circular wheel) pairs with a steer-by-wire system that’s weirdly intuitive once you got the hang of it. After getting used to the prototype, I found its sharp responses beneficial for handling, though purists might opt out—Lexus smartly lets you choose.
Drives Like a Lexus
Lexus loyalists expecting a cushy EV will find the RZ 450e’s quick 4.6-second 0-60 sprint hilariously un-brand-appropriate—like finding a Prius at Le Mans. The smooth, plush ride? Classic Lexus. But toss it into a corner, and the 4617-pound heft paired with 20-inch summer tires serves up lateral handling as inspiring as a 0.83g skidpad score (tested in southern France, because why not?). The multilink rear suspension deserves a medal for making this EV feel less like a damped float and more like a car—though Lexus clearly prioritized luxury over Sport mode heroics.
The yoke steering-wheel is a dismal object lesson in form over function. Brake-based vectoring and regen paddles promise one-pedal convenience but deliver a blended mess—modulate the brakes like you’re explaining EV tech to Premium owners: with exaggerated patience. At least the steering weight in Normal mode is linear, masking the near-total absence of feedback. 70-mph freeway driving? Serene, until you hit an imperfection and remember the struts are tuned for cushy compliance, not lively roads.
Efficiency calls for tempered expectations: 127 MPGe and 3.8 mi/kWh sound stellar until 70-mph speed slashes range to 30-50 miles in summer—climate control guzzling electrons like a Premium card at a Luxury boutique. The 4.6-second quick home charger install is brand-appropriate, but 30 minutes to 80% at a street DC station won’t save you mid-road trip. For city driving, it’s adequate; for Lexus loyalists, it’s a step toward electric peer group relevance—just don’t lift-off expecting svelte dynamics.
Range & Charging
Reality check: The RZ’s 63.4-kWh battery struggles to deliver beyond Lexus’ base estimate of 196 miles—recorded during my testing—while many rivals with larger packs soar past 300. Opt for 18-inch wheels (not the 20-inch ones), and you’ll up that to 220 miles, but my daily driving loop only managed 120 before panic set in. Shared bones with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra mean same fast-charging capabilities: the 150-kW DC connections refill 80% in 30 minutes, though the 6.6-kW onboard charger feels outdated. Pack a coffee thermos; this charger won’t rush.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe
Numbers dazzle on paper: the EPA touts 102 MPGe city and 87 MPGe highway, but my 75-mph fuel-economy test route saw recorded figures drop into the 20s—yikes. Stick with standard 18-inch wheels (the optional 20s slash highway MPGe to 68) to stay near Lexus’ estimates, though even 98 MPGe feels optimistic. The RZ’s efficient urban chops shine, but cross-check that fuel-economy website information before planning a road trip.
Disappointing EV Stats
The RZ450e’s EPA-estimated 220 miles of range feels like Lexus stretched the battery pack’s limitations to accommodate a platform shared with the Toyota bZ4X—a sibling that’s about as exciting as a rental Eco mode. In freezing temps, expect 30% fewer miles, because nothing says luxury like watching your charge percent drop faster than ambient temperature. The single-motor front-wheel drive version coughs up 196 horsepower, making the Mustang Mach-E look like a performance-oriented rocket by comparison.
Recharging this EV takes 9.5 hours on a Level 2 charger—perfect if you enjoy planning your life around three-day trips. The DC fast-charger program? A 10-minute boost nets 30%, but good luck finding a 150-kilowatt station that isn’t depleted by cars like the GV60 or Lyriq. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive RZ450e manages 214 hp, which Lexus owners will argue is adequate… right before merging onto a highway at 75-mph and getting dusted by a Model Y.
Opt for the higher-trim Premium model with 20-inch wheels, and range numbers plummet to 196 miles—19.2% worse than the entry-level I-Pace. Lexus’s effort to map recharging stops feels as half-baked as the bZ4X’s output, and the onboard air conditioner drains 36% more kilowatts than competitors like the EQB. For $63.4K, you’d expect luxury leadership, not front-wheel mediocrity that trails Ford’s Mach-E by 102 miles.
Interior and Comfort
Slide inside, and the Lexus cabin wraps you in faux suede, synthetic leather, and upscale surfaces that scream luxurious—until you tug the clunky door handles. The simplicity-focused dashboard pairs a crisp heads-up display with electronic quirks (goodbye, polarized sunglasses visibility). Seats are supportive on highway hauls, though road noise creeps in compared to Tesla or Polestar EV models.
Practicality perks: Spacious cargo space (even outside the RZ’s sleek profile) and a comfortable back seat offset the traditional interior design. But that steering wheel? Plush, yes—though I’d trade some microsuede for convenience buttons.
Yoke: It's a Real Thing
Lexus’s yoke steering system is a cool feature in the same way pineapple on pizza is a “bold choice”—novelty over logic. The Steer-by-Wire (SBW) setup ditches the conventional wheel for a video-game-style yoke with just 150 degrees of lock-to-lock adjustment. At 90 mph, it’s smooth and premium; in a parking lot, it’s like teaching your grandma to K-turn using a multi-step process involving hand-over-hand prayers. The straight-ahead response is sharp, but off-center inputs feel partially missing, like Lexus forgot to account for actual drivers who enjoy, you know, turning.
The $65,150 Premium trim adds Traffic Jam Assist and a monitor that chirped warnings every time I dared to repositioned my hands—triple-ding annoying. Drivers used to hand-over-hand steering will limit their enthusiasm here: the yoke phased out helper move physics, making oversteer in tight corners harder to predict than a Toyota CEO’s leadership direction. At least the 14-inch touchscreen isn’t off-center—small mercies.
Pricing starts at $59,650, but the luxury mantle feels exclusive only if you ignore EV competitors like the Model Y offering more range for far less. The RZ450e’s aesthetic operation might launch Lexus into EV leadership, but until they fix the system’s harder-than-a-rim parking process, it’s a luxury card played mostly for cool points.
Tech & Connectivity
Glance at the dashboard, and the 14.0-inch touchscreen dominates—crisp but occasionally laggy when you interact mid-drive. Wireless connectivity and Apple CarPlay come standard, though Android Auto’s absence stings (looking at you, gasoline-powered NX SUV). The digital gauge display and head-up display keep the driver focused, while voice commands handle basics like a polite butler. My gripe? The Lexus system prioritizes capabilities over intuitiveness—why bury climate controls in the screen when rivals nail one-tap ease?
Safety
Navigating city chaos, the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 proves its mettle: automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection aced a surprise scooter dart during my drive. Crash test results from the NHTSA and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety back its prowess, though the lane-departure warning nags like an overzealous co-pilot. Adaptive cruise control glides smoothly, but additional driver-assistance features like automated parking feel underbaked—check websites for trim-specific details.
Key features:
✅ Standard automated emergency braking reacts faster than human reflexes.
✅ Lane-keeping assist balances precision with subtle steering inputs.
✅ Pedestrian detection shines in urban stop-and-go scenarios.
Warranty and Maintenance Plan
Peace of mind comes covered by Lexus’ competitive offerings: a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty for hybrid components and eight years on the EV battery. The complimentary maintenance plan spans one year or 10,000 miles, but rivals like Audi stretch scheduled maintenance to four years. While the six-year/70,000-mile limited warranty impresses, the automaker skimps on long-term perks—no complimentary loaners here.
Key features:
✅ EV battery coverage outlasts most gas-powered rivals.
✅ Complimentary maintenance includes basic checks for 12 months.
✅ Hybrid component warranty eases anxiety over long-term ownership.
Gallery:
Images sourced from Lexus Newsroom.
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