2023 Lexus RZ450e Sports Luxury review

2023 Lexus RZ450e Sports Luxury

Lexus’s flagship models have always started with an ‘L’ whether that’s the LS sedan, LC coupe and convertible, or LX four-wheel drive. And, of course, the LFA supercar.

That’s about to change, though, with the entry-level LBX set to join the range soon, and the new RZ positioned as a new brand halo. Not as logical as it once was.

While the RZ isn’t an L-car, and isn’t really positioned as such, it is a new hero product for the brand. It’s an EV, not the first from Lexus, but the first designed and engineered as a dedicated EV (unlike the smaller UX300e, which shares platform and packaging with petrol and hybrid models).

As the name suggests, the RZ is a match in the line-up for the traditional RX SUV, but the design is unique inside and out, and the underpinnings are from parent company Toyota’s e-TNGA range of vehicles – similar to what you’ll find beneath the forthcoming Toyota BZ4X.

The RZ450e is positioned the same way as the Mercedes-Benz EQC, Audi E-Tron SUV, and BMW iX are. Pure electric SUVs that blend the traditional values of their respective brands with a raft of new technologies and features to show that legacy automakers can be just like Tesla, as they race to interrupt that landmark EV brand’s runaway success.

But in the case of the all-new Lexus EV, it feels like the rush to market has seen some corners cut in a very un-Lexus-like way.

How much does the Lexus RZ450e cost in Australia?

Lexus offers a simple two-variant range in the RZ line-up. Just one dual-motor powertrain is available, split into low-spec Luxury and high-grade Sports Luxury trims.

That means a combined 230kW and 435Nm output from the all-wheel-drive RZ regardless of which model you buy. The main differences cover equipment changes.

Across the range, NuLuxe leather-look interior trim, LED head and tail-lights, eight-way powered front seats, front seat heating, wireless phone charging, 14.0-inch infotainment, a 7.0-inch digital driver’s display, and a full suite of safety tech (more on that further down) come standard.

Opting for the Sports Luxury steps things up with 20-inch alloy wheels in place of 18s, adaptive headlights, a panoramic fixed glass roof, head-up display, part-Ultrasuede seats, semi-automated self-parking assist, upgraded 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio (up from 10 speakers), ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats, radiant under-dash heating, and a handful of other small details that stack up to make the extra spend worthwhile.

Pricing for the entry-level version starts from $123,000 plus on-road costs, but when you see the extras included for the $12,000 up-spend to get into the Sports Luxury, the base version does start to look a little, well, basic.

Although not equipped on our test car, the Sports Luxury also unlocks the option of two-tone paint that sees the roof, A-pillars and bonnet and front bumper insert painted black. It’s a striking look.

In terms of size, Lexus calls the RZ a Medium SUV, yet looking at the dimensions the RZ is a tiny bit longer than the brand’s RX Large SUV (by 20mm), but 25mm narrower, 60mm lower overall, on a wheelbase that’s the same length.

Judged as a medium-class contender, the RZ450e lines up against the Mercedes-Benz EQC400, the BMW iX3, and the Genesis GV70 Electrified, but it also overlaps consideration with the Audi E-Tron range, the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV range, and the BMW iX, though these are all slightly more expensive.

Key details2023 Lexus RZ450e Sports Luxury Price$135,000 plus on-road costsColour of test carGraphite BlackOptionsNonePrice as tested$135,000 plus on-road costsDrive-away price$145,644 (Melbourne)RivalsMercedes-Benz EQC | BMW iX3 | Audi E-Tron

How much space does the Lexus RZ450e have inside?

Lexus’s flagship interiors are fascinating places to spend time. Cars like the LS and LC feature an array of stunning colour combinations and handcrafted details, loaded to the hilt with comfort and convenience tech. Spend some time poking around the RZ’s interior, though, and you’ll soon see Lexus never intended its newest model to be judged by the same discerning yardstick.

Points to Lexus for offering a sumptuous-looking fit-out. The multi-hued interior in Storm Blue with beige offsets and dark details looks fresh, but there’s also the option of black and grey, or black and tan for something more traditional.

The faux-suede seats and coloured panelling lift the interior ambience, and the accent lighting – including patterned ambient lighting projected from the ends of the dash into the doors – creates a moving accent as the front doors are opened and closed. A neat touch that adds a little theatre.

Unfortunately, some less desirable old-fashioned Lexus touches have crept in. The silver strip that runs horizontally across the lower dash looks like silverfrost paint, rather than a more realistic foil-stamped finish. The stop-and-start colour coding looks off too. The tops of the doors and headlining are beige, but the roof pillars and upper dash are black, creating a less integrated look as colour blocks break midway through continuous design elements.

I tend to find Lexus’s seats fall to the firmer end, although my co-workers often like them more than I do. For me, the front seats have some firm places where it feels like you can feel the frame beneath.

The seats also lack some of the adjustment you expect at the price. While there’s powered fore-aft slide, tilt, lumbar and recline functions, there’s no extendable seat cushion or bolstering adjustment. Not features you’ll find everywhere at this price, granted, but not out of the question.

Seat space itself is decent. The seats aren’t particularly wide, but they do fit a variety of frames, and having seat heating and cooling ensures long-range comfort. Lexus also goes one step further on the Sports Luxury with radiant heating panels under the dash and steering column, heating the legs of front seat occupants from the top as well as the seat surface – a neat little touch.

I found the driver’s perch to be a little off-centre, with the steering wheel not aligned with the instrument graphics unless you push yourself hard into the right seat bolster. Distracting once you focus on it.

That aforementioned radiant heating also takes the place of a traditional glovebox, so instead a pass-through under the console becomes the key storage option. A pair of open cupholders in the console and a wireless charge pad under the infotainment screen round out small-item storage, while a regular (but shallow) centre console and compact door bins offer space for slightly bigger bits and pieces.

Into the rear seats and the electric vehicle platform of the RZ, curiously, doesn’t offer a completely flat floor; however, the minimal centre bump is nowhere near the equal of a traditional transmission tunnel. Still, batteries under the floor and the placement of the front seats limit toe room, but the pushed-back rear seats open up plenty of leg room.

Head room is decent, and the rear backrest can be reclined for a cheeky road-trip nap or to tailor the fitment of a child seat. There’s no seat sliding function, though, to bring the little ones closer to the front, if you’re looking for it.

The rear seats are heated, and there’s face-level ventilation via the centre console, but no side window shades like you’d find in an RX. Overhead front and rear occupants are covered by an electrochromic fixed glass roof that can be darkened at the touch of a button. Lexus also includes a pair of mesh shades that can be manually clipped in.

At 522L, the boot is quite a bit smaller than the 612L on offer in a similarly sized RX, and again with the seats folded there’s 1451L in the RZ compared to 1678L in the RX. For something a little different, the cargo cover is a hard panel instead of the more common roller blind, but with a fold in the middle so it can be stowed under the floor.

There’s a detachable bag for the roof blinds too, which lifts with the cargo cover. However, these panels don’t stow under the floor and don’t fold, so they either need to be clipped in place or left at home if boot space is the number-one priority.

2023 Lexus RZ450e Sports LuxurySeatsFiveBoot volume522L seats up
1451L seats foldedLength4910mmWidth1895mmHeight1635mmWheelbase2850mm

Does the Lexus RZ450e have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

I have a lot of love for the current Lexus infotainment platform. It is perhaps not perfect, but it’s a huge leap beyond what the brand has tried in the past.

The headline act is a massive high-definition 14.0-inch touchscreen that plays host to inbuilt satellite navigation, wireless smartphone mirroring for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, AM/FM/DAB+ radio and various car functions.

The lower section of the screen looks after climate controls, with integrated physical dials to adjust temperature. It’s slick. My one tiny whinge is that there is no home screen. I quite like an overview page that shows maps on part of the screen, plus a bit of multimedia info and other secondary info.

Maybe I’m spoiled by the CarPlay experience, but Lexus only lets you toggle between full-screen maps, music, settings, etc, and it isn’t always what I’m after.

Otherwise, it’s a great system with high-quality graphics and an easy to follow menu flow. It’s less bewildering than BMW’s latest OS, for instance, and on par with the user-friendliness of Audi’s infotainment… maybe even a touch better.

I’m not in love with the touch-tracer steering wheel controls. Here you get a selection of unlabeled buttons, and as you drag your finger across them the head-up display previews what they’ll do. These can be customised to control functions of the driver’s choice, but the touch function is finicky and often needs the button to be pressed twice – once to activate the HUD prompt and again to activate the command.

It’s frustrating if you’re a radio channel surfer like me, and borderline dangerous if trying to manage the cruise control as it ignores single-press inputs. Fingers crossed, Lexus can iron out a software solution to improve the experience.

The Lexus RZ also features Lexus Connected Services, allowing remote vehicle access via a linked smartphone, allowing owners to check charge level, remotely lock and unlock, look at routes that include charger access, plus contact emergency services in the event of an accident, and allow stolen vehicle tracking. Access is complimentary for the first three years.

There are three USB-C charge ports in the front of the cabin and two on the back of the centre console for the rear seats. The RZ450e also features 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio that’s clear and crisp to a point, but if really pushing the limits, I found it would cut out rather than distort – an odd experience, but one that no doubt is a form of speaker self-preservation.

Is the Lexus RZ450e a safe car?

The Lexus RZ has yet to undergo either ANCAP or Euro NCAP assessment and as such is currently unrated, with no baseline for how it might perform.

The Lexus RZ comes equipped with 10 airbags and two rear seat ISOFIX mounting points along with three top-tether anchorages.

2023 Lexus RZ450e Sports LuxuryANCAP ratingUntested

What safety technology does the Lexus RZ450e have?

As with much of the feature set, the safety list doesn’t change between the two RZ450e grades. Both come with forward autonomous emergency braking including pedestrian, cyclist, and junction AEB, plus reverse AEB, active lane-keep assist, emergency steering assist, front and rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit assist, driver attention monitoring, tyre pressure monitoring and more.

The RZ’s active cruise control includes stop-start functionality and is linked to road signs so the driver can choose to obey the speed limit at the touch of a button. There’s also curve speed reduction and ‘overtaking prevention’, which will keep the car from passing on the left in traffic.

There’s a range of sensitivity settings for the various systems, so you can mix and match their alertness. For the most part, the lane centring and adaptive cruise control work well, but Lexus likes to pop a warning for almost everything up on the driver’s display, and at times they’re often not necessary.

A crystal clear 360-degree camera with an under-car view helps make parking a breeze, but for the times you’d rather let the car have a shot, the RZ450e Sports Luxury comes with intelligent park assist, something the Luxury grade misses out on.

How much does the Lexus RZ450e cost to maintain?

The Lexus RZ comes with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty. In addition, a warranty of up to 10 years applies to the high-voltage EV battery provided owners perform an annual EV system health check, as prescribed by Lexus. Lexus provides capped-price servicing, with yearly service intervals priced at $395 per visit for the first five years.

Lexus RZ owners get access to the Encore Platinum ownership program, usually reserved for top-tier models, which adds on-demand rental of other Lexus models in cities across Australia and New Zealand, Westfield valet parking redemptions, exclusive offers and events. EV owners also receive five-year roadside assist, home charger installation, and three years of Chargefox access away from home.

Our regular insurer wasn’t able to quote on a policy for the RZ450e, but shopping around returned one comprehensive insurance quote of $2486.79, while another came in at $3629.66 showing the absolute need to compare prices. Both were based on the same situation for a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male driver living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.

At a glance2023 Lexus RZ450e Sports LuxuryWarrantyFive years, unlimited km
Up to 10 years, unlimited km (high-voltage battery)Service intervals12 months or 15,000kmServicing costs$1185 (3 years)
$1975 (5 years)

Is the Lexus RZ450e energy-efficient?

Lexus offers a confusing array of power consumption figures for the RZ450e. Claimed range is 470km, but that’s using the older NEDC test cycle with consumption claimed at 15.2 kilowatt hours per 100km. Overseas, the WLTP claim is 439–395km of potential range at a nominal 16.9kWh/100km.

In the real world, both of those seem very optimistic. The best range estimate from the car when fully charged was 371km with the HVAC system turned off, or 305km with it on. I don’t think I’m out of line in suggesting that having a little warmth in a winter cabin shouldn’t wipe out almost a fifth of the available range. If you’re interested, my week with the car was one of Melbourne’s coldest with temps falling to between six and 12 degrees.

Real-world energy consumption settled on a whopping 25.6kWh/100km after a week of Monday to Friday commuting, plus a country run to Creswick and back. No matter the driving style, the car stayed around this consumption figure, suggesting that a single charge would deliver a range closer to 279km – putting it nicely, that’s abysmal.

To put this in perspective, the bigger and much higher-performance Audi E-Tron S, with 320kW combined, put down a 27.3kWh/100km figure when we last tested it, while the dual-motor Hyundai Ioniq 5 recorded a 19kWh/100km usage rate when it launched, giving its 72.6kWh battery a 382km range (though the Ioniq 5 now features a larger battery).

The RZ can recharge away from home at a maximum of 150kW DC, which allows a 10–80 per cent charge in 30 minutes on a compatible ultra-fast charger.

What is the Lexus RZ450e like to drive?

If you’re looking for a big, comfortable street cruiser, look no further.

The RZ450e settles itself neatly into the stereotype that Lexus isn’t a frontrunner when it comes to dynamic prowess. The EV strengths of silent running and seamless acceleration certainly help here.

The result is a safe and predictable cruiser, but there’s a clear reason why Lexus hasn’t added a sharper F Sport variant to the range. The poor old RZ just doesn’t appear to have athleticism in its core DNA.

Despite an EV platform that’s claimed to be all-new and specific to the application, Lexus has decided to follow the lead established by its hybrid models and route more power to the front wheels than the rear. While you may not notice it in the workday commute, when you find an involving stretch of road and drive with some vigour, the pushy front end and wafty handling soon put to rest any notion that this might be a sporting SUV.

Although 0–100km/h is possible in a brisk 5.3 seconds, digging into rolling acceleration for some roll-on punch on a freeway on-ramp or for overtaking delivers a much more subtle swell of speed.

Depending on the road surface, tyre noise is variable. Never quite able to fully silence tyre roar, even on smooth surfaces the RZ feeds some tyre noise into the cabin. On coarse-chip bitumen this grows to a level that’ll see occupants raising their voices to compensate.

Given previous Lexus hybrid models run without engine noise and vibration in some situations, you’d think the brand would have a bit more experience at making cars quieter.

Drive modes are found in the car’s on-screen menus, making it trickier to adjust the mode on the fly, but regenerative braking can be stepped up or down on the fly via steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

Light steering with some inbuilt vagueness feels in line with the car’s luxo credentials. You may have seen that some versions of the RZ450e shun a traditional steering wheel for an aircraft-style ‘yoke’ that uses a steer-by-wire system to vary the amount of turns it takes for effortless low-speed manoeuvres but more stability at speed.

Rather than just adding a full-circle steering wheel to this set-up, the RZ450e has launched in Australia with a traditional mechanical steering linkage and electric power steering, so fully variable like yoke-equipped cars, though this new tech is still set to arrive at a later date.

Finally, the ride isn’t absolutely magic carpet ride absorbent. The RZ rides out most imperfections well, but can slap over road joins and potholes a little more abruptly, struggling to balance out 2.1 tonnes of weight in all situations.

Key details2023 Lexus RZ450e Sports LuxuryEngineDual electric motorsPower150kW front motor
80kW rear motor
230kW combinedTorque266Nm front motor
169Nm rear motor
435Nm combinedDrive typeAll-wheel driveTransmissionSingle-speed Power-to-weight ratio109kW/tWeight (kerb)2110kgSpare tyre typeTyre repair kitTow rating750kg braked
750kg unbrakedTurning circle11.2m

Should I buy a Lexus RZ450e?

Lexus has invested considerable time and effort into the RZ450e, and yet it’s the shortcuts on this car that stand out the most. A fully-electric version of the similarly sized and packaged RX range (similar to what Lexus has done with the smaller UX) might have made more sense.

While the underpinnings are the first dedicated EV platform from the brand, the lack of fresh thinking and obvious carryover elements from other Lexus vehicles make the RZ feel like it’s entering the EV arena with one hand tied behind its back. In many ways, the RZ feels more like a product of Lexus’s past, not its future.

Dynamics that fall behind the pack and an interior that lacks the sizzle of other Lexus products would be forgivable in isolation, but the minimal effort here, together with the dismal driving range, make the RZ less appealing overall. In the same way that Toyota has rushed updates to the related BZ4X to improve its lacklustre range, here’s hoping the same is on the agenda for the RZ450e.

As it stands, though, the first dedicated Lexus electric vehicle feels like a rushed ‘compliance car’ to meet European emissions targets, rather than the aspirational flagship the brand (and its buyers) deserved.

The post 2023 Lexus RZ450e Sports Luxury review appeared first on Drive.

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