2023 Lexus RZ Model Review with Prices, Photos, & Specs
Key Features
- Starting at $59,650 MSRP*
- Fully electric drivetrain producing 308 horsepower and 321 lb-ft of torque
- Standard Heated and ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel
- Bi-LED headlamps and daytime running lights
- Power Rear Door with Kick Sensor
- Lexus Interface with 14-in multimedia touchscreen display
- Panoramic View Monitor
- Lexus Safety System+ 3.0
- Available Dynamic Sky™ panorama glass roof
- Available Mark Levinson® 13-speaker, 12-channel 1,800-watt Premium Surround Sound
About The Lexus RZ
The RZ is the first all-electric vehicle from Lexus. A blending of familiar and popular Lexus qualities with cutting-edge electric vehicle technology and performance. The potent electric drivetrain includes standard Direct4 all-wheel drive, as well as a low center of gravity that makes for exceptional handling. And even among electric SUVs, the RZ packs a lot more power than you would expect in a compact SUV. The styling is an evolution of the Lexus design language, trading a Spindle Grille for a Spindle Body, a more aerodynamic and efficient interpretation of Lexus styling. And when it comes to luxury, the RZ sets a new standard for the segment, with a cabin that takes full advantage of the EV platform’s strengths to deliver a luxury experience that can’t be matched.
What the Critics Say
"Comfort is why you buy a Lexus RZ. With phenomenal ride quality and exceptional sound insulation, the RZ is the most comfortable option among its closest rivals. Lexus tuned the suspension to eat up bumps in the road without issue and without a fancy electronically adjustable suspension." — Edmunds
"Lexus' first dedicated electric vehicle upholds the expectations of the brand—with some surprises. The new RZ looks like a Lexus, and feels like one too with its smooth ride, quiet cabin, and premium materials. Yet its dual-motor powertrain can deliver brisk acceleration quite unlike the automaker's typically demure crossovers." — MotorTrend
Lexus RZ Features
Electric Performance
At the heart of the first all-electric Lexus model is a 71.4 kWh battery pack, which is related to the battery pack in the Toyota bZ4X, but has been enlarged. It sends power to all four wheels thanks to the Direct4 all-wheel drive system. The output of 308 horsepower and 321 lb-ft of torque is more than you would expect from a compact SUV, and the 5-second 0-60 time is considerably quicker than you’re going to find from any of the gasoline-powered competition. The RZ drives more like a conventional gasoline vehicle than most electric vehicles, offering a familiar driving experience that doesn’t have a learning curve for the controls. (Although Lexus will still let you opt for a steering yoke in place of a traditional wheel, for those who want a futuristic driving experience). The battery pack provides up to 220 miles of range, and can be charged at a rate of 3 miles per minute with DC fast charging.
Luxury Interior
For all of the exciting tech in the RZ, it’s the luxury experience it provides that brings it all together. A sophisticated suspension setup provides an incredibly smooth ride, and thanks to exceptional noise isolation and the electric drivetrain, the cabin is quiet and serene. A heated steering wheel comes standard, as do heated and ventilated front seats, upholstered in either NuLuxe® or Ultrasuede®. You can get heating for the back seats too, and there is even an available radiant front knee heater.
A panoramic glass roof comes standard, adding warm, natural light and an open feeling to the list of reasons why it feels so good to sit in the RZ. Of course, with the available Dynamic Sky™ feature, you can also turn the glass roof opaque with the touch of a button. Speaking of buttons, the RZ uses buttons for a number of the more frequently used functions, while others are controlled through the large 14-inch infotainment touchscreen. This allows for a balance between the cluttered feel of a cockpit covered in buttons and the kind of stark interiors in a lot of electric vehicles, where even the simplest of functions require you to navigate a series of menus.
Exceptional Safety
Few automakers have a safety record that can compare to Lexus, and the RZ brings that outstanding record to the world of electric vehicles. Conventional safety measures are part of what makes the RZ so safe, things like the available head-up display that makes it easier to keep your eyes on the road, or the nine airbags that come standard. The other part of the equation is the standard Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a suite of the most advanced safety tech Lexus has ever developed. This includes things like All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Intersection Support, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, and Intelligent High Beams. Vouching for the efficacy of all of this tech is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Every year, they give out awards for the safest vehicles on the market, known as the Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ awards. For 2023, the guidelines became much more stringent. But Lexus still received several awards, including a Top Safety Pick+ for the RZ.
Trims & Specs
RZ 450e Premium
Starting at $59,650 MSRP*
- Fully electric drivetrain producing 308 horsepower and 321 lb-ft of torque
- Direct4 all-wheel drive system
- Lexus Interface with 14-in multimedia touchscreen display
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Power Rear Door with Kick Sensor
RZ 450e Luxury
Starting at $65,150 MSRP*
- Heated rear outboard seats
- Tsuyasumi interior trim
- Multicolor ambient lighting with Shadow Illumination
- 20-in split-10-spoke alloy wheels with Black and machined finish
- Mark Levinson® 13-speaker, 12-channel 1,800-watt Premium Surround Sound
*Starting MSRP includes the Delivery, Processing and Handling fee (DPH), which is subject to change at any time. Excludes manufacturer and dealer options, taxes, title and license, and dealer fees and charges. Dealer price will vary.
**Source: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/top-safety-picks/2023/all/lexus#award-winners