The all-new 2023 Lexus RZ 450e SUV is the company\u2019s first all-electric vehicle. Maximum range is 220 miles and all-wheel drive is standard. Pricing starts at $59,650.<\/p>\n
For all those luxury buyers who want to go electric but would prefer to choose a trusted marque, the Lexus RZ 450e could be the ticket. The build quality is impressive, the cabin is quiet, and the materials are suitably plush.<\/p>\n
There are faster-charging rivals with better ranges, though\u2014the Genesis GV60, for instance.<\/p>\n
However, it\u2019s high time that\u00a0Lexus\u00a0came out with an electric vehicle. Size-wise, the new RZ 450e slots between the compact\u00a0NX\u00a0and the midsize\u00a0RX.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not coincidental that Toyota\u2019s The 2023 RZ 450e starts at $59,650. That\u2019s for the Premium trim with 18-inch wheels, which enables the best range of 220 miles. It\u2019s another $1,240 for the 20-inch wheels. The top Luxury trim \u2014 from $65,150 \u2014 has those larger wheels as standard.<\/p>\n These figures are the manufacturer\u2019s suggested retail prices and include the $1,150 factory-to-dealer delivery fee (destination charge). A\u00a0federal tax credit may become available\u00a0for the 2023 Lexus RZ.<\/p>\n Learn more:<\/strong> See which electric vehicles get a tax break on new list<\/p>\n For some context, the\u00a0Audi Q8 e-tron\u00a0(range: 285 miles) is bigger and more expensive \u2014 from $74.4K. The\u00a0Tesla Before buying a new Lexus RZ 450e luxury electric SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Talk of resale values is premature, but Lexus vehicles are invariably chart-toppers in this respect.<\/p>\n The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e is a completely new model based on a dedicated electric vehicle platform. It\u2019s a little smaller than the ever-popular Lexus RX SUV.<\/p>\n The new RZ 450e SUV can travel for 220 miles from a full battery. That\u2019s with 18-inch wheels fitted. When the 20-inch wheels are in place, maximum range dips to 196 miles.<\/p>\n Charging the lithium-ion battery pack in the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e takes about half an hour to go from almost empty to 80% on a DC fast charger. This doesn\u2019t qualify it among the\u00a0fastest-charging EVs. Tesla vehicles and EVs from the Kia\/Hyundai\/Genesis camp are all quicker. A 240-volt home setup can add around 25 miles of range per hour, with a full replenishment achieved in about 9.5 hours.<\/p>\n Lexus claims a 0-60 mph time of exactly five seconds for the 2023 RZ 450e.<\/p>\n Read: Those EPA range estimates for electric cars may be unreliable<\/p>\n Like most of today\u2019s electric vehicles, the RZ 450e is exceptionally and effortlessly quick. With its standard dual-motor setup delivering 308 horsepower and the added traction of all-wheel drive, it\u2019ll do 0-60 mph in a scant 5.0 seconds without breaking a sweat or waking the neighbors, even. While we\u2019ve found it athletic enough to handle that kind of power, the RZ is, first and foremost, a quiet, comfortable Lexus SUV.<\/p>\n The optional steering setup featuring a yoke-style steering \u201cwheel\u201d took some getting used to. Still, it\u2019s\u00a0probably a more sensible approach to directional control than the relatively clumsy hand-over-hand dance we\u2019ve been doing for more than a century. Lexus doesn\u2019t expect too many buyers to opt for the yoke, but we\u2019d at least consider it. We also wish the RZ offered a one-pedal driving mode, perhaps further demonstrating how our driving preferences are evolving as more and more of our seat time is spent in electric cars.<\/p>\n Check out:<\/strong>The 2024 Honda Prologue: Honda\u2019s new electric SUV is attractive and spacious. When can you get one?<\/p>\n The interior of the RZ resembles the passenger cabin of just about every other modern Lexus. We suspect many will prefer the familiarity compared to some of the more futuristic and austere interiors in the electric vehicle space.<\/p>\n Although most SUV buyers cherish the raised driving position, the RZ 450e\u2019s front seats seem set higher than usual. Yet there\u2019s little space under them for rear passengers to tuck their feet. Not that this is much of an issue, as occupants in both rows will find plenty of space in which to move around. Behind the rear seats is a luggage area big enough to take three sets of golf clubs.<\/p>\n Options for this 5-seater cabin include a panoramic moonroof with a dimming feature, and radiant heaters that can warm the front section without placing too much of a burden on the battery.<\/p>\n The new RZ 450e doesn\u2019t need a radiator grille up front because there\u2019s no combustion engine to cool, but Lexus has placed a typically huge spindle shape there anyway.\u00a0The rear end has the Lexus name spelled out in upper-case letters, which looks arguably cooler than the regular company logo, while a ducktail spoiler completes the picture. A two-tone paint job is available, featuring solid black at the front end, running up to the hood and the roof.<\/p>\n At 189.2 inches long, the 2023 RZ 450e is 3.3 inches shorter than the midsize RX, 5.7 inches longer than the compact NX, and features a lower roof than both.<\/p>\n Also see: <\/strong>The 2023 Lucid Air: It\u2019s powerful and plush, with an unbeatable 516-mile range<\/p>\n Infotainment touchscreen<\/strong> Wireless Apple CarPlay\/Android Auto<\/strong> Panoramic view monitor<\/strong> Mark Levinson audio<\/strong> Advanced Park<\/strong> Frequency Reactive Dampers<\/strong> Don\u2019t miss:<\/strong> 10 new electric cars with the longest range<\/p>\n Two electric motors, one for each axle, provide an electric form of all-wheel drive (which Lexus calls Direct4) as standard. Together, they generate a total of 308 horsepower. The front motor is capable of 196 lb-ft of torque, and the rear develops 124 lb-ft, making 320 lb-ft in total.<\/p>\n Power can be distributed between the front and rear wheels according to the conditions and demands. For example, at the exit of a corner, it\u2019s the rears that gain 80% for maximum traction and efficient acceleration. Other times, most of the work is done by the front wheels for optimum efficiency. The driver doesn\u2019t really feel all this going on. Transitions are seamless.<\/p>\n Dual electric motors
\n TM,
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\n new\u00a0bZ4X\u00a0all-electric SUV also launches this year. These two vehicles are based on the same platform and share more than a few mechanical parts. This Lexus naturally has its own interior and exterior designs while catering to the luxury end of the market.<\/p>\n2023 Lexus RZ pricing<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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\n \n RZ 450e Premium<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $59,650<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \n RZ 450e Luxury<\/p>\n<\/td>\n \n $65,150<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n
\n TSLA,
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\n Model Y\u00a0starts at $55K and is capable of 330 miles. The\u00a0Volvo
\n VLVLY,
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\n C40 Recharge\u00a0(226 miles) comes in at $55.3K. The\u00a0Genesis GV60\u00a0(248 miles) begins at around $59.3K, while the\u00a0Cadillac Lyriq\u00a0is in that same financial ballpark yet has a maximum range of 308 miles.<\/p>\nWhat\u2019s new for 2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Range, charging, and performance<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Driving the 2023 Lexus RZ<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Tactile interior<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Usual Lexus exterior, but with a twist<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Our favorite features and tech<\/strong><\/h2>\n
At 14 inches on the diagonal, it\u2019s not the biggest display in the luxury electric vehicle class, but a substantial size, nevertheless. It enables Lexus to keep the rest of the RZ 450e\u2019s cabin nice and tidy by migrating many functions that would have required physical buttons in the past.<\/p>\n
The so-called entry-level Premium model comes with standard cable-free phone integration, along with wireless charging, Wi-Fi, and five USB-C ports.<\/p>\n
Quite often an option in other vehicles, this is standard in the new RZ 450e electric SUV, providing a 360-degree view of the surroundings.<\/p>\n
Like every other new Lexus, the RZ 450e offers an optional Mark Levinson audio setup, one of the nicest sounding in the automotive world. The option here is for a 13-speaker\/1,800-watt surround-sound system.<\/p>\n
This optional feature takes care of steering, acceleration, and braking when maneuvering into and out of tricky parking spaces.<\/p>\n
Deployed for the first time in a Lexus, these are a sophisticated form of shock absorber that provides great handling stability without having to make the typical trade-off where ride quality suffers.<\/p>\nEngine and transmission<\/strong><\/h2>\n
308 combined horsepower
320 lb-ft of combined torque
EPA city\/highway fuel economy: 115\/98 MPGe (18-inch wheels), 102\/87 MPGe (20-inch wheels)
EPA-estimated range: 220 miles (18-inch wheels), 196 miles (20-inch wheels)<\/p>\n