Lexus RZ 450e (2022 - )

Every once in a while, a car comes along that introduces so much innovative new tech, it’s nigh on impossible to know where to start. And the latest car causing that rather welcome dilemma is the all-new Lexus RZ, the company’s first dedicated electric vehicle.

The five-door SUV is available in three generously-equipped trim levels and prices range from £62,600 to £72,100. Not exactly cheap then, but this vehicle is packed to bursting with innovations and class-leading systems.

The RZ is the first Lexus to feature e-Axles which sees electric motors on both the front and rear axles resulting in Direct4 all-wheel drive. This constantly reacts to drive the wheels according to need and it happens in milliseconds. As a result, the car can be front wheel-drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive – it simply depends where the traction is required.

Then there is the heat-shielding, dimming panoramic roof on range-topping Takumi cars. This keeps the cabin cool on hot days and stops heat escaping on colder days. It turns from opaque to clear at the push of a button and then back again.

Next up, the radiant heaters positioned at knee level that are activated with the seat heaters and they use far less energy than turning on the car’s air conditioning system.

And, if that’s not enough a One Motion Grip steer-by-wire system will be available on the RZ from 2025. This set-up ditches the traditional rack-assisted electric power steering and uses a smaller butterfly-shaped steering wheel similar to the controls in an aircraft cockpit.

So, clearly a very exciting time for Lexus and there have already been 500 pre-orders for the RZ with 20 per cent opting for the entry Premium model, 45 per cent going for the mid-trim Premium Plus, as tested, and 35 per cent signing up for the Takumi.

Deliveries are expected at the end of May or early June.

The Lexus RZ has a strong road presence and its dynamic good looks will attract plenty of attention from onlookers. It is built on the e-TNGA platform that results in a highly rigid body and low centre of gravity. That in turn results in a very muscular, yet athletic appearance with performance to match.

When viewed from the front, it’s easily recognized as a BEV. There is no engine that needs cooling which has allowed designers to lower the bonnet and the intake openings have been reduced. The signature spindle grille has evolved and is deeply integrated into the frontal design generating a strong three-dimensional effect. There are slim headlights with the Lexus ‘L’ motif in the daytime running lights, a panoramic roof and rear privacy glass. 

At the rear, an elongated LED light bar stretches the width of the car and there are muscular rear quarters. There are 18 or 20-inch wheels, dependent on model, and a wide choice of colours including dazzling Sonic Copper and Graphite Black.

The driver-focused interior is clean, spacious and modern with clever In-ei LED cabin illumination that can be seen in the door panels when the car is powering down. The seats feature Tahara synthetic leather and are eight-way power adjustable. They can also be heated or ventilated and the heated steering wheel is also power-adjusted.

On-board tech is plentiful including the Lexus Link Pro multimedia system with 14-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker sound system, ‘Hey Lexus’ voice assistance, full smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, a reversing camera and physical controls to alter the temperature. And those radiant heaters that are activated along with the heated seats soon warm up your knees on a chilly day.

Powering the Lexus RZ is a 71.4kWh battery driving front and rear A-axles to deliver all-wheel drive. The front e-Axle is 150kW and the rear one offers 80kW for a total output of 230kw or 309bhp with 435Nm of torque.
The RZ is rapid out the starting blocks with a 0-62mph sprint time achieved in just 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 99mph. The official driving range between charges is 272 miles (18-inch wheels) or 252 miles (20-inch wheels).
The battery stack is positioned beneath the cabin floor. This has two major benefits. Firstly, it does no impact on interior cabin space and secondly, it helps give the RZ a low centre of gravity which in turn leads to beautifully balanced performance when pushed hard into sweeping bends.
The power on tap is seemingly never-ending and rapid bursts of pace are achieved with the slightest throttle power. It cruises effortlessly on motorways and is agile in busier village settings too.
There are four drive modes, which at the moment are quite fiddly to access as they are found via the touchscreen. These are called Eco, Sport, Custom and Range. The latter is selected to maximise the existing driving range and results in reduced power output, less speed and no air conditioning.
There are also four levels of regenerative braking adjusted via steering wheel paddles and these alter the level of braking force and amount of energy that is captured during the braking process.
Lexus prides itself on delivering a cushioned ride in its cars and, despite its muscular and athletic looks, the RZ is beautifully refined too. Very little noise filters into the cabin and the suspension system does a superb job of smoothing out uneven road surfaces.
 

The Lexus RZ is a five-door SUV built on the company’s e-TNGA platform and it stretches 4,805mm in length, is 1,895mm wide, 1,635mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,850mm. With the battery pack conveniently stored beneath the cabin, it does not impact on passenger or boot space.
Rear passengers have bundles of room, even with the front seats pushed well back and there is space for three adults to fit comfortably.
The boot is accessed via a powered tailgate (hands-free thanks to a kick sensor on the Takumi model) and this can swallow 522 litres of luggage. Drop the 60:40 split folding rear seats and that limit increases to an impressive 1,451 litres.
Throughout the cabin are numerous convenient compartments to hide away bits and pieces, including a deep bin beneath the central console with side flaps to keep items concealed. There is a wireless charging pad, front and rear cup holders, deep door bins, seat back pockets and handy trays. And staying connected on the move is easy with four (two front and two rear) USB-C charge ports.
Noticeable by its absence though is the lack of a glovebox. This is so the front seat passenger has extra space and there is that additional room under the console between the front occupants.
Wide-opening rear doors offer easy access which makes fitting a child seat easier and there are Isofix fixtures on the outer rear seats.
Charging the 71.4kWh battery takes 10 hours from a 7kW wallbox, 6.5 hours via an 11kW charger or 30 minutes if plugged into a fast charger.
 

The Lexus RZ 450e line-up costs £62,600 for the Premium Pack model, £66,600 for the Premium Plus Pack version (as tested) and £72,100 for the range-topping Takumi with all the bells and whistles.
According to official WLTP figures, the entry level Lexus RZ can achieve 272 miles between charges as it is riding on 18-inch wheels. The other trim levels have 20-inch wheels which sees the range drop slightly to 252 miles. 
Some rivals in the sector do offer superior driving ranges, but the range on the RZ can be boosted through regenerative braking with four levels adjustable via steering wheel-mounted paddles. In addition, the Range driving mode can be activated and this limits the power output, turns off the air conditioning and restricts the top speed to 62mph.
With zero carbon emissions, the Lexus RZ will be an attractive car for business drivers thanks to its excellent Benefit in Kind tax rating of just two per cent.
While owners are currently exempt from road tax fees, that will all change in 2025 with the Government introducing new charges. The premium Plus model, as tested, sits in insurance group 44.
Lexus cars also come with an outstanding warranty. While the standard package is just three years and 60,000 miles, this can be extended to 10 years or 100,000 miles provided the car is serviced regularly at an authorised Lexus workshop. 
With less moving parts than a traditional combustion engine-powered car, the RZ should deliver thousands of miles of trouble-free motoring. Lexus is also confident its long-life 71.4kWh battery will retain 90 per cent of its capacity after 10 years of driving.
 

We have waited a long time for Lexus to develop its first dedicated BEV and we have certainly been rewarded for our patience. The Lexus RZ is a beautifully styled vehicle that delivers on performance and handling. It’s generously-equipped and spacious for all the family.