Top 10 Things To Know About The Lexus RZ 450e
Lexus has been so busy making hybrids out of every model it offers, it did not add an all-electric model until after some of its rivals. However, that all-electric Lexus has now arrived, and it does not disappoint. The Lexus RZ 450e is a fully electric crossover with an exterior a bit larger than the NX and an interior about the size of the RX. Despite being the brand’s first foray into electric vehicles, the RZ 450e is first and foremost a Lexus, delivering the quiet, comfortable, and high-quality experience for which the brand is known. That said, there are several interesting aspects about the RZ 450e that are worth knowing. Automotive enthusiast site TopSpeed.com has collected what they consider the ten things to know about the RZ 450e, and this Lexus of Las Vegas blog post will follow along.
1. The RZ Exterior Is Very Stylish
One look at the front tells you this is a Lexus. However, there is a bit of a reversal going on in the front. Instead of a spindle grille, the RZ 450e has a Spindle panel. It is a solid body panel flanked by grilles on the side and underneath instead of the other way around. As an electric, the RZ 450e does not need a large opening for cooling, so the panel allows greater aerodynamic efficiency. The grill below that does cool some of the electric drivetrain components has shutters to create a smooth surface when not used.
Character lines sweep back from the front wheels, and a small kink in the beltline delineates the passenger-cargo sections inside the cabin. Thin LED tail lights sweep across the entire rear for a refined appearance. Overall, it is a very sleek appearance that still immediately says “Lexus”.
2. There Are Two Trim Levels
As TopSpeed notes, the Lexus RZ 450e is a premium luxury SUV, so the trims are aptly named “Premium” and “Luxury”. Being a Lexus, the lower Premium model is hardly lacking with standard features such as AWD, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, a 14-inch touchscreen, and attractive two-tone and tri-tone interior color combinations. The Luxury grade earns its price premium with upgraded interior materials, an impressive Mark Levenson audio system, and other advanced technology features.
3. The Power Is Good
All RZ models have one motor in the front and another in the rear, giving it all-wheel drive as well as a total output of 308 horsepower and 321 pound-feet of torque. That is enough to ensure the RZ 450e will give you the power you need even when it is fully loaded. The emphasis and calibration are focused on smooth power delivery over neck-snapping thrust as befitting a luxury vehicle.
4. Performance Is Also Pleasing
The calibration for smooth take-off is still quick. Thanks to the instant peak torque of electric motors, the RZ can get you from 0-60 in about 4.6 seconds, which is far faster than the Lexus RX500h F Sport Performance or any other Lexus crossover. The floor-mounted batteries lower the center of gravity for deft handling, which is enhanced by the sophisticated steer-by-wire system, which as TopSpeed notes, “…can take some getting used to, but it does make a difference.”
5. The Lexus RZ 450e Is Built On Toyota’s e-TNGA Platform
It is well hidden, but the core of the RZ 450e is the e-TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform. It shares this platform with the Toyota bZ4X. It is, of course, not the first Lexus to share mechanical components with Toyota models. Though front-wheel drive is standard on the bZ4X, all-wheel drive is standard on the RZ450e, which features the new Direct4 power delivery system, which electronically adjusts torque distribution among the wheels for a smoother driving experience.
6. Range is Good but Not Record Breaking
The 63.4 kWh battery in the RZ 450e delivers an estimated 220 miles of driving range between charges for the Premium model with 18-inch wheels. Upgrading to 20-inch wheels on the Premium or opting for the Luxury grade with standard 20-inch wheels changes the estimated range to 196 miles. On a public 150 kW DC-direct fast charger, the battery will charge from 0 to 80% in about 30 minutes. Presumably, you won’t enter a public charge station with zero battery charge, however.
7. The RZ 450e Is Spacious
The RZ 450e is about three inches shorter than the RX model line, but it has the same 112.2-inch wheelbase. Thanks in part to the compact electric drivetrain, its front and rear legroom of 42.1 / 37.5 inches is actually a bit more generous than the RX (41.1 / 37.4 inches). Cargo space behind the 2nd-row seats is larger as well at 34.9 cubic feet compared to 29.6 cubic feet for the RX. The RX goes on to have a maximum cargo space of 55.6 cubic feet.
8. The Interior is Luxurious and Ergonomic
There is no missing the RZ450e interior’s 14.0-inch horizontal screen, which is nicely integrated into the dash design, rather than just placed on top of it. But Lexus disregards the idea that because a vehicle is electric, everything must be engaged through screen menus. There is a full set of climate controls that are either physical or a permanent part of the screen’s lower edge, so the items you want to change most often can be done so in a single move. Above is a standard panoramic sunroof with an optional Dynamic Sky™ panorama glass roof for the Luxury grade that can electronically turn from transparent to opaque.
9. There are Plenty of High Tech Features
Technology is expected on both electric and luxury brand vehicles, and the RZ 450e delivers. Wireless integration for Android and Apple phones is standard, as is wireless charging. Made possible by the steering-by-wire system, a very sleek yoke can be ordered in place of the conventional steering wheel. A 10-inch Head-Up Display, automated parking, and the ability to use your smartphone as a key is available or standard depending on the grade. The Luxury grade keeps a few features for itself, such as Lane Change Assist* and Front Cross-Traffic Alert, heated rear outboard seats, a multicolor ambient lighting system, and the extraordinary Mark Levinson® 13-speaker, 12-channel 1,800-watt Premium Surround Sound system.
10. Pricing is Premium But Not Unreasonable
Lexus is a luxury brand with a high level of content, and the RZ450e is no exception. Its starting price is $59.650 for the Premium grade, of which Technology and Cold Weather Packages can be added for $1,425 and $200, respectively. The Luxury grade includes all the Technology Package features plus other features mentioned above plus a few
more for a starting price of $66,000. The only things that can be added to that are the Cold Weather Package and Dynamic Sky™ panorama glass roof.
Lexus can make putting an RZ450e in your garage a little easier if you act this month. As part of the Golden Opportunity Sales Event, is an offer of $10,000 cash to put toward a qualified RZ 450e lease. The event is good through the month of August up to Sep 9, 2023. Inquire with Lexus of Las Vegas about the details of the lease offer, and be sure to investigate everything this article said about the RZ 450e for yourself.