Lexus RZ 450e review: quality shines, range disappoints

The Lexus RZ 450e impresses on overall quality, but for the asking price its range is an issue.

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The Lexus RZ 450e is the Japanese brand’s first fully bespoke, 100% electric model developed from the ground up. As you’d expect, it carries over Lexus’s core values into EV form - with craftsmanship and design right at the top of the list.

That said, I’ll admit my first in-person encounter with the Lexus RZ 450e wasn’t exactly a lyrical “love at first sight”. This test car’s Graphite Black paint (as pictured) combined with 18-inch wheels didn’t deliver the look I’d built up from photographs.

On top of that, the stylistic requirement to echo Lexus’s traditional front grille lines on a panel that is fully closed off and dark sounds clever, but in this particular specification it didn’t quite come together.

The rear, however, is far more convincing in the metal, helped by the full-width LED light bar. The spaced lettering spelling out the brand name also brings the RZ closer in feel to Lexus’s latest design direction.

Higher up, at the top edge of the tailgate, sit two aerodynamic elements that look a little unusual yet play their part both in efficiency and in adding visual flair.

The art of making you feel welcome

With my initial impressions still a bit muted - and perhaps in too much of a hurry - I open the door and step inside. It’s at this precise moment that I instinctively slow down and take it in, because this is where the RZ 450e starts to show that it is unmistakably a Lexus.

The black exterior suddenly feels more elegant when set against the cabin’s brown tones. And this is also where you can sense the Japanese hospitality concept known as Omotenashi - it genuinely makes you want to settle in.

There’s another instant confirmation that this is a Lexus: the hush that falls over the cabin as soon as the door shuts.

It might sound like an exaggeration, but this is a familiar Lexus trait that the RZ 450e delivers as well - the ability to isolate you from the outside chaos. The same attention shows in the selection and finish of the materials. In my view, that is one of this electric SUV’s biggest strengths.

A more high-tech look

This isn’t the Lexus RZ 450e version that comes with the radically different steering wheel, so the main talking point inside is the 14-inch touchscreen.

Navigation, audio, settings and plenty more live here - including the climate controls. Even so, functions such as temperature adjustment and the audio volume still have physical controls, which are simply easier to use while driving.

In the Executive Plus trim we tested, there was also a more distinctive ambient lighting setup. It projects a light pattern onto the door panels, giving the cabin a more upmarket atmosphere.

By contrast, the instrument cluster directly ahead of the driver feels like the one area in urgent need of an upgrade. Beyond being small for the space it sits in, its resolution is low and doesn’t match the crispness of the main touchscreen.

Optimised space on board

The Lexus RZ 450e provides a spacious, well laid-out cabin. Both the front and rear seats offer generous room, with no real compromises. And if someone does need to sit in the middle of the rear bench, the flat floor helps comfort levels.

At the back, there’s also a boot offering 522 litres of capacity, plus a parcel shelf that can be removed in seconds and folded in half when required.

Alongside the space, the Lexus RZ 450e’s interior is packed with storage areas in various shapes and sizes, as well as USB ports. You’ll find cubbies in the doors, in the centre console and beneath the centre console. The only thing missing is a glovebox - and that’s for a good reason.

For the new RZ 450e, Lexus has developed a heating solution using thermal panels fitted in the lower dashboard area. Because of this, it can save a significant amount of energy that would normally be used when heating the cabin via the air conditioning system.

Calmness as a key strength

Driving the Lexus RZ 450e around town scores highly for serenity. From the light steering - without losing a sense of security and solidity - to the comfort of the seats and the more “silky” suspension response, each trip can genuinely feel relaxing.

In heavy traffic, which is typical of urban driving, the electric system plays to its strengths and doesn’t demand many kWh to run everything we need. By making the most of deceleration and braking, it’s possible to achieve a figure below 17 kWh/100 km.

As with most electric cars, consumption rises most noticeably on the motorway, where there are fewer opportunities to regenerate energy. In that scenario, the claimed 440 km range drops to just over 300 km. At that pace, average consumption sits close to 22 kWh/100 km.

That level of consumption would be less of a concern if the RZ 450e had a larger battery, but it offers only 71,4 kWh of capacity. Considering this unit asks for more than €80,000, a little over 300 km of motorway range feels underwhelming.

Two motors, four driven wheels

The Lexus RZ 450e uses two electric motors - one on each axle - and therefore comes with all-wheel drive.

Up front there’s a 150 kW (204 cv) motor, while the rear axle gets an 80 kW (109 cv) unit. Combined maximum output is therefore 313 cv.

Power comes from a 71,4 kWh battery - covered by a 10-year warranty or one million kilometres - which can be charged in around 30 minutes (0-80%). That is, of course, only achievable on a 150 kW rapid charger.

At the other end of the spectrum is that old socket in the corner of the garage that acts as a last resort - but if you use it, you’ll need to set aside several dozen hours.

Away from charging points and in a more dynamic mood, the 313 cv feels adequate, even with weight hovering around two tonnes.

Through corners, the Lexus RZ 450e’s suspension keeps weight transfer well in check. Even so, the driving mode I most enjoyed (out of four available, plus a customisable one) was “Eco”.

With that setting engaged, there’s still enough performance for everyday use, and you don’t have to switch off comfort features such as the air conditioning.

If the remaining range starts to fall quicker than you’d like, there’s also the “Range” mode. In that case, everything is optimised to get you to your destination. But in a premium vehicle these kinds of compromises shouldn’t be necessary - we’d rather have a larger battery.

Equipment and prices

The Lexus RZ 450e is offered with four equipment levels, with prices starting at 75 582 €. The tested car is an Executive Plus, which adds a meaningful amount of kit, but also lifts the base price to 80 232 €.

For similar money, you could consider an Audi Q8 e-tron, which starts at 79 842 €. You’ll get less equipment, that’s true, but it delivers greater range thanks to its “giant” 95 kWh battery.

Against the Toyota bZ4X - which shares its platform with this Lexus - there’s a difference of almost 22 600 euros. Is it justified? Yes, if you value the comfort and the impressive quality on display in this RZ 450e. It’s a model you need to drive to fully understand.

Verdict

Technical specifications