The all-new Lexus RZ electrical SUV has lots to stay as much as.
The Japanese model was as soon as the pioneer of hybrid expertise with the launch of the RX400h hybrid again in 2006; however not like the Toyota Prius, which arguably spearheaded an period of electrification nicely forward of its time with its easy but efficient nickel–steel hydride battery battery system, the transfer to battery electrical automobiles (EVs) has been sluggish for each Lexus and guardian firm Toyota.
Lexus isn’t alone within the luxurious house to have been overwhelmed to the punch by the likes of Tesla, however it has been overwhelmed by the Germans and the Koreans as nicely.
For this reason the Lexus RZ is such an necessary automotive for the model. It must be class-leading and it must show why it was definitely worth the wait. For it to succeed it must be a real various to what’s at the moment on supply to draw a brand new tech-savvy and (considerably) environmentally-friendly viewers to the luxurious automotive maker.
As the primary all-electric automobile from Toyota’s luxurious model, and one which makes use of the brand new e-TNGA platform, it’s necessary to level out that it shares loads of its underpinnings with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra twins. In some ways, the design similarities are additionally onerous to cover – you possibly can learn our design exposé of the 2 vehicles right here.
By itself as a design experiment, the Lexus RZ is a fantastically stunning automotive. The evolution of the model’s spindle grille and the way in which it has advanced into the present iteration is certainly a constructive transfer, and whereas some might not love its seems to be, you possibly can’t criticise it for not being fashionable and complex.
The place it falls a little bit quick, nonetheless, isn’t solely is it virtually double the price of Tesla Mannequin Y (which is arguably not appointed in the identical luxurious method), however it’s additionally considerably costlier than even BMW’s iX3, which is a terrific automotive of comparable dimension that provides extra vary – albeit two-wheel drive, not all-wheel drive just like the RZ – and higher expertise.
Lexus Australia was very eager to emphasize the RZ is a Lexus at coronary heart no matter being a pure battery electrical automobile. That is true, however sadly it additionally means whereas it carries the most recent that Lexus has to supply when it comes to infotainment and expertise, it falls nicely quick of what’s at the moment on this value level from the Germans and considerably much less in Tesla’s case.
So there are some query marks over the Lexus RZ’s positioning, however we suspect with market situations and provide and demand (there are 500 of those coming within the first 12 months with 150 already accounted for), there might doubtlessly be some wiggle room on that value level along with your Lexus seller as nicely. Lets go into it then.
How a lot does the Lexus RZ value?
The Lexus RZ is obtainable in two trim ranges initially, with pricing beginning at $123,000 earlier than on-roads for the RZ450e Luxurious, and lengthening to $135,000 earlier than on-roads for the RZ450e Sports activities Luxurious.
This pricing is line-ball with the likes of the Genesis Electrified GV70, Mercedes-Benz EQC, and BMW iX, however a little bit increased than the likes of the BMW iX3, Genesis GV60, and considerably increased than the Tesla Mannequin Y.
Though arguably not in the identical class, the Kia EV6 GT and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are additionally within the combine, with costs that undercut the Lexus considerably whereas delivering increased ranges of electrified efficiency and expertise options.
What’s the Lexus RZ like on the within?
Lexus has for many years confirmed itself to be the category chief in luxurious and well-finished automobile interiors.
There’s a sure stage of workmanship that’s unmistakably Lexus from the unique LS in 1989, to the automobiles it nonetheless produces at the moment. The Japanese reset what luxurious meant from an inside perspective greater than 30 years in the past, forcing the Germans (and People) to up their recreation significantly.
On the subject of the RZ, the cabin stays a classy and splendid place to be with tremendous supportive and well-appointed seats with pretty surfaces and vegan leather-based (if you happen to care).
These are all options that we now have come to like, respect and anticipate from Lexus, however – and it is a greater however than ever earlier than given we’re speaking a few battery electrical automobile designed to attraction to a youthful and extra tech-savvy viewers – it’s nonetheless let down by its expertise implementation and peculiar points that basically mustn’t exist in a automotive of any type in 2023, not to mention an EV.
Lets begin with the large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. That is a completely stunning high-resolution display that’s nicely laminated and doesn’t endure from some previous-generation Lexus mannequin’s visibility points when underneath direct daylight. As a bit of {hardware}, it’s sensible.
What stays an ongoing concern, nonetheless, is the software program. It lacks the user-friendliness and intuitiveness of what’s provided by BMW’s latest-generation iDrive and Mercedes-Benz’s improbable MBUX system. Even up-and-coming luxurious model Genesis has managed to work out how one can make scrolling by way of menus and altering choices a neater job.
For instance, with the ability to change the drive modes of the Lexus RZ requires a multi-step deep dive into the menu system, it might actually be lots simpler if there was a bodily drive mode button, or if the modes had been available from the display’s dwelling display. It’s not like a 14-inch show is missing in actual property.
What to vary the wonderful sound system’s bass whereas driving? It received’t allow you to.
The motive force monitoring system can also be this bulbous digital camera that sits on the steering wheel column and like a nagging instructor will always beep and annoy you to take a look at the highway. It’s so irritating Lexus employees had been turning it off for us earlier than we drove the automobile every time – it restarts mechanically when the automobile is turned on.
It’s as if somebody at Lexus realised that tech-savvy EV patrons love Tesla’s massive screens, however then didn’t fairly put two and two collectively to make the software program that drives it work as properly.
What’s fascinating about this, is that good in-car software program has been round for many years and is obtainable in each gadget you decide up and use every day, so getting this not fairly proper looks as if an pointless personal objective for Lexus.
The native navigation system can also be, for lack of a greater phrase, extraordinary at greatest. It appears to lag by a great second or two as to the place the automotive is in the true world, versus the place the automotive is on the display. This implies if you happen to’re in a busy place with a lot of streets one after one other, it turns into a problem making an attempt to work out which road is the one you’re meant to show into.
Fortunately it has default help for wi-fi Apple CarPlay and the USB-C charging system is quick. It does supply wi-fi telephone charging, however in our testing it appeared to have a single coil for the charger so the orientation of our iPhone 14 Professional Max would wish to go well with its charging location which was considerably cumbersome.
If we will decide on the software program just a bit extra, it’s an identical case with the reversing digital camera, which has a small lag not solely within the visible show, but additionally within the motion of the steering wheel to the visible strains that show on the display.
Maybe the characteristic that wants probably the most consideration is the digital instrument cluster. Whereas the world behind the steering wheel might simply home a big 10- and even 12-inch show, Lexus has chosen to stay a tiny 4.2-inch display within the base mannequin and a 7.0-inch display within the top-spec.
This implies on both facet of the instrument cluster is nothing however black whereas the display solely lights up barely half of the out there actual property. It seems to be fairly common and as soon as once more, given this automobile is supposed to attraction to tech-savvy patrons, it might be considerably higher.
Audi has been doing digital cockpits for nearly 10 years (launched within the TT in 2014), which embody the whole house behind the steering wheel in a good looking visible show. Genesis has 3D instrumentation, Mercedes and BMW supply the most recent display expertise with full color and interactive head-up show. Lexus? The display which you’ll take a look at probably the most, might be the most cost effective a part of the automotive.
It seems like we could also be nitpicking however that is meant to be a technological tour de drive and it merely isn’t.
The nice factor is although, that all the things else within the Lexus RZ inside is superb. The seats, the surfaces, the cabin noise and the way in which all of it comes collectively actually does show why Lexus has succeeded in its craftsmanship nonetheless remaining as among the best in market.
The boot measures 522 litres in capability (all seats up) or 1451 litres with the second row folded down. Loads of room for its dimension.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Each variants of the Lexus RZ are powered by a dual-motor all-wheel drive electrical drivetrain producing 230kW of energy, which is fed by a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The RZ is claimed to have a mixed cycle vary of 470km in accordance with lenient ADR testing, which relies on the NEDC protocols.
Lexus claims the RZ will be charged from 0-80 per cent in half-hour utilizing a DC fast-charger, whereas it may be totally charged in six-and-a-half hours with a three-phase AC energy provide.
Below the bonnet you received’t discover any storage, it’s simply {the electrical} elements for the drive system, a variable strut tower brace, together with the entrance motor.
Your entire Lexus RZ vary comes with the corporate’s Lexus Encore Electrified Platinum advantages program (three years), which incorporates Lexus On Demand and complimentary valet parking. All homeowners additionally get a complimentary 7kW AC wallbox equipped and put in by Jet Cost.
Putting in Lexus’ accredited charger will see homeowners capable of cost their RZ from 10 per cent capability to full in roughly 6.5 hours – which might counsel most homeowners would merely recharge at dwelling in a single day as soon as every week.
Nevertheless, Lexus can even embrace a three-year complimentary subscription to the Chargefox speedy DC public charging community for those who favor to cost on the go.
How does the Lexus RZ drive?
Not like another full battery-electric automobiles, the Lexus RZ doesn’t have a efficiency variant.
Whereas there’s a distinction within the wheel dimension between the Luxurious and Sports activities Luxurious, each variants have the identical declare of 0-100km/h in a really respectful 5.3 seconds.
Behind the wheel, the RZ proves itself to be a really competent driving machine. It’s clean with out shedding its sporty character and but, when pushed tougher and tougher round some twisty roads, it feels at dwelling.
It has one of many higher steering methods of a contemporary Lexus and whereas we eagerly anticipate Lexus’ confirmed wild yoke steering wheel with its steer-by-wire system, it’s nonetheless about 12-18 months away for our market.
We discovered the driving dynamics, trip and general expertise behind the wheel to be nothing however constructive. It does because it says on the field – present a quintessentially Lexus driving expertise that’s superior as an alternative of hindered by its electrification.
Being inherently all-wheel drive, the RZ makes use of two eAxle electrical motors entrance and rear, with energy outputs of 150kW and 80kW respectively. In related trend, torque distribution favours the entrance with 266Nm versus 169Nm for the rear.
So whereas it’s an all-wheel drive system, it does have a extra highly effective motor upfront. This front-wheel drive bias isn’t felt a lot behind the wheel because the RZ drives with a really impartial character and by no means feels heavy.
The Drive4 system can ship as much as 100 per cent of torque to the entrance or rear axle relying on the state of affairs. Lexus calls the motors eAxles on account of it integrating the transaxle and inverter. These can then feed off one another to forestall pitch related to accelerating onerous.
We discovered the 4 completely different driving modes to be a little bit of a gimmick, however will assist you save energy if you happen to’re working low by turning non-essentials off and taking some punch out of the accelerator.
Not that it issues in Australia, however it does have a peculiar restricted high velocity of solely 160km/h.
What we discovered extra disappointing was the dearth of single-pedal driving mode, which is a disgrace given it has now been progressively rolled out amongst an enormous portion of EVs available on the market.
What do you get?
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Left: Luxurious; Proper: Sports activities Luxurious
RZ450e Luxurious highlights:
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Auto-levelling LED headlights
- LED daytime working lights
- Rear spoiler
- Privateness glass
- Heated facet mirrors
- Auto-dimming driver’s facet mirror, auto power-folding
- 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- 10-speaker Panasonic sound system
- Wi-fi telephone charger
- 5 x USB-C ports
- NuLuxe leather-based upholstery
- 8-way energy entrance seats
- 2-way driver lumbar help
- Heated entrance seats
RZ450e Sports activities Luxurious provides:
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Acoustic home windows
- Adaptive headlights with cornering operate
- Two-tone exterior paint
- Dimming panoramic sunroof
- 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system
- Head-up show
- Good key card
- Contact-sensitive steering wheel controls
- Heated steering wheel
- Radiant heating for entrance passengers
- Ultrasuede upholstery
- Ventilated entrance seats
- Heated outboard rear seats
- Clever park help
Is the Lexus RZ protected?
The Lexus RZ has not been examined by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, and is due to this fact unrated.
Although we will’t say for positive, it’s fairly evident the RZ can be like every other Lexus and obtain high scores on any crash take a look at that was to be performed.
Its Toyota bZ4X equal has managed a five-star Europe NCAP ranking so there isn’t any purpose to suppose the extra premium Lexus mannequin wouldn’t obtain the identical.
Other than the passive security methods reminiscent of airbags and structural rigidity, Lexus’ newest Pre-Collision System makes use of a millimetre-wave radar and monocular digital camera sensor for higher visibility and assortment detection functionality.
The adaptive high-beam system on the top-spec mannequin additionally has some attention-grabbing options which might be velocity dependent – when the automobile is first pushed and the velocity exceeds 3km/h, each cornering lamps are switched on for max visibility surrounding the automobile, this turns off mechanically after the automobile reaches 15km/h.
Speeds of 15-30km/h see most frontward imaginative and prescient when it comes to with and from 30-80km/h that narrows down for regular driving. Speeds above 80km/h sees the headlights additional slender their focus to increase their depth.
How a lot does the Lexus RZ value to run?
A five-year guarantee protection interval additionally extends to the Service Mortgage Automotive program, the place RZ homeowners are supplied with a complimentary Lexus automobile throughout their very own automobile’s service.
Every RZ is obtainable with 5 years of capped value servicing, at $395 per service. Intervals are 12 months or 15,000km – whichever comes first.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus RZ
As a automotive by itself, the Lexus RZ is a improbable bundle.
The place it falls quick is the worth positioning versus rivals from the likes of BMW and Tesla, in addition to the software program and basic interface working the infotainment system and instrument cluster.
There are some actually low-hanging fruit that Lexus can apply to the RZ each when it comes to a software program replace and easy {hardware} enhancements, which might make an enormous distinction to the texture and possession expertise of the RZ.
For now although, what you will be positive of is that the Lexus RZ will probably by no means allow you to down as an EV or a automobile generally. So if the expertise drawbacks don’t trouble you, it ought to positively be on the take a look at drive record.
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