Lexus’ first fully electric car, the RZ 450e, finally arrives after two years to mark the luxury brand’s surefooted entry in the EV game.
Evolution is the key to survival. After teasing its first all-electric car for two years, Lexus finally unchained its RZ 450e to mark its surefooted entry in the EV game.
The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e is an important offering from the Japanese luxobarge because it has a lot to take care of and fierce competition to face. Priced in the $60,000 ballpark, this EV will face the fiercest competition and will brush up against the likes of the Cadillac Lyriq, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Tesla Model Y, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge.
2023 Lexus RZ 450e Prices And Trims Explained
The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e’s pricing starts at $59,650, and it will be available in two trims. The RZ 450e Premium AWD and the Luxury AWD costs $65,150. Both trims are equipped with a 308-hp electric setup, a 71.4-kW battery, and an all-wheel-drive system. Besides the plethora of standard features, Lexus offers different optional exterior paints, seating, and interior materials, two packages, and some important accessories.
The 2023 Lexus RZ Is Lexus’s First All-Electric SUV
The 2023 Lexus RZ is the first fully electric car, or BEV, from the marque, and it comes well-equipped to meet the needs of potential EV buyers. The Lexus RZ is built on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, which smartly packs a large battery, two electric motors, and other mechanicals into a compact package.
The Lexus RZ electric SUV is propelled by a pair of electric motors. The front wheels are powered by a 201-hp motor, while the rear has a 107-hp motor. Both of these motors get electricity from the 71.4 kW 96-cell lithium-ion battery mounted under the car’s floor. With both motors forming the Direct4 all-wheel-drive unit, the RZ offers a total of 308 horsepower and 320.7 lb-ft of pure electric punch.
Lexus First BEV Ticks The Right Boxes
The Lexus RZ’s 308-hp electric powertrain ensures enough power and smooth acceleration for every need. The Lexus RZ takes 5 seconds to hit 0–60 mph and 13 seconds to cover a quarter mile.
The Lexus RZ’s 71.4 kW battery offers an electric range of 220 miles and an EPA-estimated MPGe rating of 115/98/107 miles in the city and highway, combined with the standard 18-inch wheels. The optional 20-inch wheels, although they deliver a better ride quality, contribute to a lower 196 miles, with 102/87/95 miles in the city, highways, and combined.
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The Lexus RZ’s standard 120-volt, 6.6-kWh Level 1 charger needs 9.5 hours to charge the battery from 0% to 80%. The optional 11-kWh charger reduces the charging time to 5 hours, and 46 minutes. If that’s too long, the RZ’s battery can be charged from 0% to 80% in just 30 minutes. Still having range anxiety? The Lexus RZ arrives with a regenerative braking system that converts the brake’s kinetic energy to electrical energy and constantly charges the battery through a generator motor.
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Lexus’ First All-Electric SUV Comes Well-Prepared
The RZ 450e impressively uses its clever underpinnings to store a large battery without compromising on handling. The RZ 450e’s Direct4 all-wheel-drive unit uses e-Axle mounted sensors to detect the driving force, contact and ground load, speed, acceleration, and steering angle to bring dynamic settings to the car. Based on the data, the system offers between 100:0 and 0:100 front-to-rear drive force distribution to optimize start-up acceleration, handling, and range. Above this, the steer-by-wire function and 75:25 and 50:50 torque splits help establish a stronger steering feel.
Lexus’s distinctive design language continues to shine in the new RZ 450e. The sharp design combined with the arrow-shaped LED DRLs and the spindle design not only looks amazing but also improves the aerodynamics. The boxy rear end delivers more rear headroom. The spoiler fins, bar taillamps, and muscular side vents give the RZ 450e its distinguished character.
While the RZ 450e looks identical to the RX luxury SUV, the RZ electric SUV is smaller than the latter. Although both ride on a 112.20-inch wheelbase, the RZ is 189.17 inches long, 74.61 inches wide, and 64.37 inches high, making it slightly smaller than the RX.
The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e cabin showcases Japanese craftsmanship through the “Tazuna” concept with grain wood and Ultrasuede surfaces to deliver luxury. The driver gets a digital cluster, a 10-inch HUD, leather and heated steering, and an optional Yoke steering wheel.
The cabin seats five passengers, and both rows have good space. The front comes standard with power, heated, and ventilated seats with memory, and heated seats are standard in the Luxury trim. The interior of the Premium trim is adorned with NuLuxe upholstery, while Ultrasuede seats are standard in the Luxury. Besides the Luxury trim, it offers “Tsuyasumi” touches for more appeal.
Infotainment is catered through a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless charger, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and various other features.
For safety, the RZ 450e comes equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, BLIS with rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, traffic jam assist, and many other features.
Sources: Lexus
