Lexus RZ 450e review

Introduction

Lexus has had a go at an electric car before — the underwhelming UX300e — but the RZ 450e SUV is the first step in the Japanese brand’s march towards full electrification.

Lexus has said that by 2030 its entire model line-up will be fully electric, and the RZ is the first of its models to be built on a dedicated EV platform. It’s the same e-TNGA platform on which the Toyota BZ4X sits, but Lexus differentiates the RZ from its mainstream cousin with a more powerful drivetrain and more demanding construction methods and processes.

Sitting between the NX and RX hybrid SUVs, the RZ is pitched directly at premium models like the BMW iX3, Audi Q8 e-tron and Mercedes-Benz EQC, and promises 313bhp, all-wheel-drive and up to 270 miles of range.

At a Glance

From the outside, there’s no question that the RZ 450e is part of the Lexus family. It shares the same angular aesthetic as the NX and RX, stretching back from the ‘spindle’ grille to a neat two-pronged rear spoiler.

There’s less need for cooling as an EV, so the ‘grille’ is a solid glossy piece of plastic flanked by slimline LED lights and slatted trims, and in cars with a bi-tone finish, the grille and black bonnet flow seamlessly together for a more assertive look.

The EV platform has allowed the RZ to have a lower bonnet line than its stablemates and for the wheels to be pushed out further to the corners, creating shorter overhangs and an overall sleeker and more dynamic-looking body than the NX or RX. Creases along the doors and a neat upward kick of the lower body cladding at the rear add to this athletic look, but tail-on, it’s strangely boxy and angular. The black wheel arch trims, which stick out from the bodywork, also don’t do the car any favours.

Key Features

Lexus talks of the RZ being a hotbed for new technology, from how it warms the cabin using infrared ‘radiant heating’ to how it protects cyclists from poorly timed door openings using blind spot monitoring and electronic door latches.

However, the big talking point is undoubtedly its attempt to reinvent the wheel — or the steering wheel, at least. From launch, the RZ will come with a regular old round steering wheel attached to a traditional column and steering rack. But from 2025, it will also offer its One Motion Grip steering system — a fly-by-wire control system with an F1-style steering yoke.

This removes any physical connection between the driver and wheels and transmits inputs from the yoke electronically to the front axle for what Lexus claims is instant and more precise control. The electronics allow the steering to be speed-sensitive, meaning the yoke only needs 150 degrees of movement lock-to-lock. This removes any need for hand-over-hand steering inputs and, says Lexus, makes manoeuvering easier at any speed.

In reality, the jury’s still out. At higher speeds, the yoke works well, offering a settled and responsive feel, but around town, it’s harder to get to grips with, resulting in some ‘interesting’ lines around roundabouts and out of junctions. Its process of filtering out unwanted chatter from the road surface and braking for better stability also means a numb driving sensation. There are two more years of R&D before the system comes to market, and more time spent with it might make it easier to use, but at the moment, it feels like an unnecessary gimmick.

Performance & Drive

Lexus has kept the RZ line-up simple for customers. All models come with a 71.4kWh battery which provides energy to two motors for four-wheel-drive capability. At the front is a 204hp unit, and a 109hp motor drives the rear axle. Together they deliver 313bhp, which is enough to get the RZ from a standstill to 62mph in 5.3 seconds and on to a top speed of 99mph.

The pace is impressive, but the real star is the linear, seamless way the power is delivered. The smooth and near-silent delivery perfectly matches Lexus’s image as a maker of refined, effortless vehicles.

Four drive modes allow users to manage the powertrain and steering feel. The usual sport, normal and eco modes make relatively minor changes to throttle response, while ‘range’ mode prioritises the lower-powered rear motor and limits speed, power output and even the climate control to extend the car’s driving range.

With or without the One Grip Motion, the RZ feels more set up for easy cruising than vigorous exploration of B roads. The steering is direct but lifeless, and there’s some pronounced body roll despite efforts to lower the car’s centre of gravity. In most circumstances, the Direct4 all-wheel-drive defaults to a front-wheel-drive bias, and while it finds plenty of traction and grip even on challenging roads, this is a car that feels more comfortable being driven at 75%.

Driven like that also gives the best appreciation of the composed and refined ride. The RZ’s suspension with frequency-sensitive pistons can adjust damping forces based on feedback from the road and offers a supremely comfortable experience across almost any road surface. Touches such as two-layer glass, a vibration-absorbing panel in the roof, and the injection of noise-absorbant foam into structural cavities keep the interior hushed right up to motorway speeds.

Running Costs

Officially, the RZ will cover between 3.3 and 3.7 miles per kWh, depending on the trim and wheel choice, giving it a WLTP-rated combined range of 245 miles on 20-inch wheels and 270 miles on 18s. Our experience driving it in temperatures between 4 and 7°C showed around 3m/kWh, meaning around 215 miles of real-world range. As with every EV, warmer weather should see this improve.

With the right home charging equipment, the RZ will recharge at a rate of 11kW, meaning it’ll take six and a half hours to go from flat to full. The car will rapid charge at up to 150kW when connected to a DC charger, like the ones you’ll find at motorway service stations, so a 30-minute connection should top up the battery by about 80%.

Private users will benefit from a car tax rate of zero — at least until 2025 — while company car drivers will face a BIK rate of just 2%, rising to 3% in a couple of years.

Lexus offers a standard three-year warranty on the car —good to see you through most lease deals — but, as with all Lexus models, it also offers a seven-year service-activated extended warranty. By having their car serviced at an authorised Lexus workshop each year, drivers benefit from an extra 12 months free warranty, up to a maximum of 10 years or 100,000 miles.

It also offers a 10-year/620,000-mile warranty on the battery pack, guaranteeing it will retain at least 70% of its capacity. Lexus is confident that actual capacity after a decade should still be at least 90%.

Interior

Previous generations of Lexus SUVs have been beset with fussy, cluttered and confusing interiors, so the RZ450e feels like a welcome shift in stance.

There’s a straightforward approach to the layout, with a simplicity to the centre console and dashboard. There are, thankfully, physical heating controls, although secondary functions such as heated seats are managed via the touchscreen.

That 14-inch affair is properly integrated into the dashboard rather than appearing stuck-on like in some rivals, and it’s tilted towards the steering wheel slightly to emphasise the driver-centric nature of the cabin. It’s also streets ahead of previous Lexus systems, with bright, sharp graphics and rapid responses. It’s just a shame that even with customisation options, there are still so many menus and sub-menus.

As we’ve come to expect from Lexus, the build quality is faultless, with top-drawer materials everywhere you look and impeccable attention to detail. The Ultrasuede faux-Alcantara of the Takumi spec is particularly lovely and looks especially good in the pale brown hazel finish, although most people will probably opt for the duller but less divisive charcoal or grey-blue.

One of the benefits of the EV platform is the amount of interior space it opens up. Despite having smaller external dimensions than the RX, the RZ’s interior space is comparable to the larger car, with excellent rear seat space in particular. A standard-fit panoramic roof lets light pour in and is heat-reflecting and insulating to ensure an even cabin temperature. A 522-litre boot also outshines the RX, as well as several key rivals.

Safety

Euro NCAP hasn’t tested the RZ yet, but the RX and NX both received the full five stars in testing last year, and it’s reasonable to assume Lexus will have put the same level of care in the RZ’s active and passive systems.

All versions of the RX450e come with the ‘extended’ Lexus Safety System+, which packs in the usual autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, road sign recognition and radar-based adaptive cruise control, as well as new or enhanced collision avoidance or mitigation.

The forward collision assist can now recognise motorbikes as well as cars, pedestrians and bicycles and also functions at junctions to stop the vehicle pulling across the path of oncoming traffic. There’s also low-speed Proactive Driving Assist which scans the area in front of the car to check for hazards, such as pedestrians about to cross. If there is a collision risk, the system will provide braking and steering to avoid the obstacle.

Other new touches include low-speed acceleration suppression to recognise and counteract sudden, unintended use of the throttle at low speed, and active lane change assist.

Options

Lexus has never been big on options lists, preferring just to load its cars with kit, and the RZ is no different. You can choose one of four ‘sonic’ paint colours for £250, and on entry-level Premium Pack cars, you can add 20-inch alloys for £950.

The only option on the Premium Plus and Takumi packs is the £1,100 bi-tone finish which adds a black bonnet and roof to copper, grey or blue bodywork.

Standard kit across the range includes heated, power-adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 14-inch connected touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, dual-zone air conditioning, a panoramic sunroof and a powered tailgate.

Premium Plus adds cooled front seats, infrared radiant heaters, a head-up display and a 360-degree camera, while Takumi replaces the faux leather with Ultrasuede and adds adaptive LED lights, a Mark Levinson stereo, ambient lighting and a sunroof that dims instantly at the touch of a button.

Rival Cars

As usual, the Lexus RZ 450e’s key rivals come from Germany.

The BMW iX3 (below) is priced similarly and offers a slightly longer range in return for slightly less power while the Audi Q8 e-tron is marginally more expensive but is also larger and, thanks to a huge 95kWh battery, offers better range despite worse energy efficiency.

The Mercedes EQC is smaller in every regard, with poorer efficiency and a shorter range but substantially higher list and leasing prices.

Anyone looking for a leftfield alternative might want to consider the Genesis GV60 (below). It’s smaller and cheaper than the RZ but has a similar avant-garde design and a range of almost 300 miles in an all-wheel-drive configuration.

Verdict

The RZ is Lexus’s first step towards an all-electric future, and it’s a very encouraging one. It’s not the most dynamically rewarding car, but the electric drivetrain feels an ideal match, offering the sort of refined and smooth experience associated with the brand.

The interior is spacious, quiet and feels built to last a lifetime, while the high-tech and comprehensive equipment list should have everything most drivers are looking for.

Where to next?

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*Score based on Select’s unique meta score analysis, taking into account the UK’s top five leading independent car website reviews of the Lexus RZ 450e.

**Correct as of 13/03/2023. Based on 9 months initial payment, 5,000 miles over a 48 month lease. Initial payment equivalent to 9 monthly payments or £7,004.88. Ts and Cs apply. Credit is subject to status.