When the Lexus RZ electric crossover launched in 2023, it had two objectives: to be a good Lexus, and to be a good EV. Did it do the former job? Absolutely, you could hop out of an RX PHEV and into an RZ with virtually zero learning curve. Was it a good EV? Given its competitive set, not really. While 150 kW peak DC fast charging isn’t bad, 196 miles of EPA range for the RZ 450e on 20-inch wheels was embarrassing, and an initial price tag of $59,650 added insult to injury. While Lexus has since brought the price down and introduced entry-level models, subpar range remained an issue. That might be about to change.
Gone are the old trims of RZ 300e and RZ 450e, replaced by the RZ 350e, RZ 500e, and RZ 550e F Sport offering 357 miles, 310 miles, and 279 miles on the optimistic WLTP cycle respectively. While that can’t be directly translated to EPA range, all but the fast trim sport noticeably more WLTP range than you get in a Genesis GV60. What’s more, Lexus claims that the updated RZ can charge 20 percent faster than the old one, which should make a noticeable difference on DC fast charger-intensive road trips.
Oh, and don’t think range is the only thing Lexus has increased. While the RZ 350e’s 235 horsepower to the RZ 300e’s 201 still doesn’t turn it into a speed demon, adding another motor does. The RZ 500e rises to 376 horsepower over the old RZ 450e’s 308 horsepower, while the RZ 550e F Sport promises 402 horsepower. Indeed, Lexus claims the new all-wheel-drive variants will run from zero-to-62 mph in 4.6 seconds and 4.4 seconds respectively, which puts them in the big leagues.
This newfound turn of spirit comes courtesy of some serious motive power revisions. Net energy capacity stands at a reasonable 76.96 kW, but a new battery pack, new motors, updated inverters, and revised charging hardware all do their part to get this updated Lexus RZ up to speed. They even allow for Ioniq 5 N-style fake shifts, with paddles on the yoke, pumped-in sounds, a virtual rev counter, and synthesized gears.
Oh yeah, the yoke. The RZ facelift also brings expanded availability of Lexus’ steer-by-wire system, which seems like a yoke done right. By varying the steering ratio depending on speed, drivers should virtually never have to go hand over hand. Needless to say, I want to try this, because I have a feeling Lexus’ implementation seems like it has potential. The brand specifically claims it also sends “specific feedback” to the driver, and if that’s anything like a direct drive simulator wheel, the results could be fascinating.
But wait, there’s more. Revised damping, a stiffer core support, and extra bracing in the rear section promise a better drive, while a boatload of extra sound deadening should keep passing traffic to a dull whoosh. Even the dimmable panoramic roof has been tweaked to offer better clarity when electrically tinted. Make no mistake, the updated Lexus RZ seems to be a lot more than just a regular facelift.
However, given the model’s somewhat anticlimactic introduction in 2023, will these changes be enough? Well, if Lexus holds the line on pricing, they might. After all, the Lexus RZ was already a good Lexus, it just needed tweaks to be competitive against other luxury EVs. Those tweaks seem to have arrived, and they should mean that Lexus now really has a dog in the fight.
Top graphic image: Lexus
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I see they’ve added more grille as well.
Fake revs? I realize Toyota is reluctant to embrace EVs, but Ford wasn’t offering marketing gimmicks like an iron horse head over the engine to feed barley pellets to appease horse and buggy owners, the product was allowed to stand on its own.
“yoke done right”
the yoke is a solution to a problem that doesn’t exist. is doing it “right” even a possibility?
I could see myself buying one of these used in the future.
This sentence completely killed any interest I may have had in this. Which may be a little unfair, but I hate every single thing mentioned there.
Who else didn’t even know these existed in the first place? Toyota’s EV strategy has been pretty baffling, but at least they seem to be moving toward relevance finally.
They may have fixed the range but that face is busted
I’ve actually always found these attractive and consider them to be viable urban runabouts…but the range was firmly in the “yikes” category, and that’s BEFORE you turn on the climate control which apparently zaps like 10-15% of the already low range.
The range seems better now, although I’d need some reassurances that the whole using the HVAC issue has been remedied or at least improved. That being said you lost me at fake revs and fake shifts. This shit is dumb. The average Lexus buyer probably never touches the paddles at any point in their ownership unless it’s by accident and enthusiasts scoff at this because it’s fucking stupid.
Who is it for? Gamers who want to feel like they’re planing Gran Turismo IRL? It’s just frivolous and dumb. And OH BOY A YOKE! I love copying Tesla and engineering absurd solutions to problems no one ever had. I’m genuinely not going to be interested in many BEVs until this bullshit stops. I don’t want a Tesla. I don’t want a yoke. I don’t want to have to click through a giant ungainly tablet to change the temperature or open the glovebox.
Make it work exactly like an ICE car and feel close enough to it that I don’t have to relearn how to drive and interact with my car. Then I’ll consider it. I don’t want any of these stupid dystopian tech spaceships inspired by Silicon Valley wet dreams. Get off my lawn.
The HVAC thing sounds like a lack of heat pump, which they really should’ve fixed by now. The fake rev/shifts thing can be ignored by turning it off, and hopefully the yoke is optional. I think these silly gimmicks are a luxury brand thing rather than necessarily an EV thing (see: ICE Lexus electronic door handles). I don’t think Toyotas really do anything like that in their EVs.
It does have, (and always did have) a heat pump
The yoke is essentially non-existent outside of press cars
I like this, it’s not trying to look like anything else out there except a Lexus. The yoke seems fine, but my problem is how much my brain would have to switch when driving one of the 3 cars in our household. We’ve got a pretty good rotation between the two daily driver cars, which would be confusing for the first few turns.
A “virtual rev counter”?!? Hi kids, welcome to the dystopian future you were promised. It’s here now.
dont hate it til you try it.
This is one of the Good Things about this timeline compared to what is going on politically in the USA.
Let me stop you right there.
I’d like to see the Venn diagram of “people who want simulated shifts, fake engine noise, and yoke steering” and “Lexus SUV buyers”.
It gives you an added sense of urgency when you’re running late for your open house.
Looks like this: OO
Simulated shifts – yuk! Put me right off of Hyundai hybrids. That makes them seem clunky to me in comparison to Toyota’s smoothness.
I’m sure the world has been waiting breathlessly for an uglier, more expensive Busy Forks. As the Toyota ads used to say, “You asked for it, you got it.”
The yoke’s on us.
Yeah, fix this and its sister models by throwing them in the ocean so they can hang out with all the other batteries.
Now if they could do something about the front end so you don’t have to approach your $60K EV with your eyes shielded.
So, when do they update the bz4x? It is the same thing in different package, and the Urban cruiser/Vitara is coming – it has similar size battery as the current bz4x and likely better charging bits. In a smaller and cheaper package.
Anyway, it will be interesting to see how the charging and battery conditioning work in sub zero climates with this version… A battery upgrade is pointless if the heat management is so poor/non-existing.
Toyota announced pretty similar updates to the BZ4X at the same time. I’m not sure what it wasn’t mentioned here.
The Euro-spec mid-cycle refreshed bZ4X also dropped last night, with good improvements to most areas except battery capacity. Curiously, the smaller C-HR+ EV announced alongside it had a larger pack, so the US-spec bZ4X might use that instead.
It could come with 20kwh battery and a charging speed of 22kwh and I’d still choose it over a Model Y
Going in the right direction, but still not enough range for the price.
Still, it’s now a legitimate option for someone wanting something a little different (or Lexus loyalists), as opposed to a non-starter.
The yoke. *le sigh*
“They even allow for Ioniq 5 N-style fake shifts, with paddles on the yoke, pumped-in sounds, a virtual rev counter, and synthesized gears.”
I will never understand who this is for
Car journalists. Notice how anytime one of them talk about the I5N its the “shifting”.
Me neither. Shifting? Booo.
The creepy suburban dad trying to impress his son’s gf?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcEylCwkSxE
Hey now… I resemble that statement!!!
(not really)
and I’ll never understand the hate for simulated shifts from people who’ve never even tried it…
Good lord, dude
I didn’t say I “hate” it – I don’t get it. It’s fake. The joy of driving a manual is that it’s all “real”. The shifting is a physical thing you must do – it’s not the software artificially limiting you. The noises are produced by the engine, not by an mp3 in the infotainment system.
For context, I own both a manual 124 Abarth and an Ioniq 5, and I greatly enjoy both of them. This isn’t some anti-EV purist thing.
I’ve surmised that with modern tech, you can change the feel and sound of modern BEVs to simulate the sound and power delivery of automatic cars of the past.
For example… the Dodge Charger I test drove at the recent Toronto Autoshow did simulated Hemi sounds. But I was thinking you could theoretically program it to sound and perform like Chargers from the 1960s… at least ones with the automatic. Imagine switching between a basic Slant 6 Charger, to one with the 318 to one with the 440-6 pack to one with the 426 Hemi (though I don’t think they sold those with an Automatic).
Or do a simulation of the 1980s Dodge Charger with the 2.2L or 2.5L turbo. Hell… you could even run it as a FWD vehicle given the electric Charger comes with front and rear motors.
And you could use something like the slant 6 charger setting as a ‘valet mode’.
I think it would be a fun novelty.
If it actually holds up to the promise of the spec sheet it seems like it’ll finally be properly competitive. And if it holds up to Lexus reliability record it’ll be one of the best ev choices.
Ick. I hate the idea of fake gears, fake sounds, etc. in EVs.
A yoke…well, if it stops at 90° that *might* be something I could become used to.
And, of course, *stares angrily at alphanumeric model names*
I think this is the perfect car for an alphanumeric model name.
“RZ 550e F Sport” is to coherent language what that sheet metal is to coherent design.
About time Toyota made a competitive EV. This still isn’t earth shattering. But Toyota doesn’t do earth shattering. That said, it should lease in solid numbers for them. Should make for a nice used car for someone in 4-5 years.