The All-Electric Lexus RZ 450e Proves The Brand Should Build More EVs

It took time but Lexus has a new battery electric, the RZ 450e. Built on the e-TNGA platform found under the Bz4X, it’s strictly an all-wheel drive machine (that’s the DIRECT4 badge) with torque vectoring. It's stuffed with Lexus creature comforts and technology too. Electrification is perfect for the brand’s mission. How does it work in the real world? Tom Voelk checks out the driving dynamics, design, features and, of course range and charging speed. He drives a Premium model with the following options- Technology Package, Digital Rear View Mirror, optional 20-inch wheels that lower the EPA rated range to an estimated 196 miles.

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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).

00:00 Intro
00:34 How Big Is It?
00:00 Pricing
1:31 Powertrain
2:43 Performance
3:25 1 Pedal Driving
4:00 Handling
5:18 Range
6:26 Steering Wheel
6:55 Charging Speed
8:00 Interior / Interface
10:12 Back Seat
11:11 Design
12:08 Cargo
13:25 Red Light Green Light
14:25 Summary
15:29 Epilogue
16:12 Thanks Rob!
16:53 Before I Go…

[robertwarren]

I bought this car in spite of the fact I was initially "turned off" by the range. The Lexus Reserve program that gives me a free loaner car for three years whenever I decide to go on a road trip, helped my decision. Personally, I would not recommend any electric car to someone who did not have a level 2 charger at their residence and another gas or hybrid car. This will of course change when solid state batteries come out in two or three years. Having said that, I LOVE this car as 98% of my driving is around town. When I first got it, my gauges said I had about 150 miles of range. After driving with the climiate control off, the range went up close to the 196 miles. With the seat warmer, steering wheel heater and radiant heat over my legs, I stayed very warm without the climate control on. It currently gets charged about once a week and I drive all over town.

[henrybrar]

150-170 miles of range in a $65k car,
This should be illegal tbh.

[cchan]

This only works as a 2nd car in your fleet..but at a steep cost of 60k. This should’ve been sold 4 yrs ago and would’ve been eligible for the tax credit, or not at all.

[islami.i]

I returned back after 3 days owning this car
I was ok with low range
But charging was pain 1hr with dc fast charging

[rightlanehog]

Tom, Even the most ardent Toyota fans are disappointed by the new BEVs from Lexus/Toyota. Due to appallingly inefficient heating systems aboard these models, winter driving range will be vexatiously low. 🤨 Toyota's tried and true Hybrid models are a much more rational option for buyers today. On a positive note, there are many, many things Toyota Motor Corporation fans can do to meaningfully reduce their carbon footprint while waiting for Lexus/Toyota to master zero emission vehicles. 😉

[LukasLwM]

Good looking EV and very Lexus!! Unfortunately the range is too low for EV with price over $60k 🤦‍♂️

[aritruths]

People are complaining about this car having low range, so what. Really do you drive close to 200 miles a day? If you live in a home and not even a home as every apartment complex nowadays have charging stations where you can charge, you should be fine. The problem is people don't know how to stay home. All they want to do is run the streets and drive around all day doing nothing but joy riding!

[mishibird]

A bigger battery is not just for longer trips. Having a bigger battery for your daily driving means fewer full charge cycles compared to a smaller battery, which equates to longer battery life and less depletion over time. So if you intend to keep the car for a while it makes more sense to have a bigger battery, even if you’re not planning on doing any long road trips.

[daves]

Thank you for the excellent even-handed review, Tom! The kicker is that >$60K for a commuter and local drive is right out of there regardless of drivetrain or appointments. Here’s hoping Mr Sato delivers on his promises.

[papadougpapadougsadventures]

The range makes this a non starter for me

[tonys]

These are pathetic specs for virtually every aspect of this car. Toyota, and it’s subsidiaries, are stumbling badly in the EV space.

[jsfbay]

If only Lexus would let us option smaller wheels. I'd gladly swap with someone who wants the big ones. Plus where I live, the roads are abysmal and years overdue for repaving. Wheels that large could cost me a lot!

[rhemy]

It’s crazy that Toyota allowed Lexus to release such a vehicle. The brand is seriously going down hill if this is the best it can do.

[stopthefomo]

Yes, they "should" build more EVs but Toyota-Lexus hate EVs, they've been wasting time on hydrogen fuel cells, and are now FINALLY reluctantly taking this technology seriously - REALLY? Geeze, it will be at least 2 years before we see a decent EV on the new platform from this group. Their battery supply chain is competely broken, with worst in class battery density and power delivery, it's an embarrassment. 160 mile range is TERRIBLE for a premium vehicle plus SLOW speed charging? No heat pump either? This is like the stone age. All of that incompetence for $63, 000 and no tax credit is an insult to consumers. The Kia EV9 is a more compelling package for a similar price although I'd pay a little extra for the Volvo EX90 3-row EV with some tax credit as they'll be built in the USA.

[haserotmalach]

I'm a Japanese car kinda person, we own two here in our household and one is a Lexus ES 350 which I love. However, we need to call this thing what it really is: a low effort, half assed attempt by Toyota to fill a gap in their lineup which comes to life already outdated. Not a big fan of Tesla but those cars are, apparently, way ahead of this thing in terms of tech. A claimed range of 180 miles and a stick to prop the hood open instead of gas struts in a so-called luxury car?! One needs to be in need of serious psychiatric treatment if they decide to spend all that money on this hunk of garbage!

[davids]

Thanks to a few of your reviews I drive a humble EV (a Bolt) but for me the math is always "is this enough cheaper than a Tesla do justify having a haphazard charging network?" I think that's the very serious question we all need to ask ourselves until that fundamentally changes. This is nice looking other than the lights making it seem a bit cross-eyed, but at that price point... just get the Tesla. They're very similar in utility and what not and you can do a road trip in the Tesla. But I'm glad there are more choices.

[HOBBYTONY]

Can you please blink when you turn. Or does the car not have turn signals?

[cmair]

Congratulations Martin🎉 all the best to your daughter and son in-law

[krrk]

My guess is their shorter range means that they're conservative on battery's longevity.
People always take it for grant that Toyota/Lexus are built to last.

[rusticroads]

This seems like it isn’t the best at anything, but mostly acceptable at many things. While it’s BZ4X underpinnings would make EV enthusiasts pause, maybe the Lexus badge is all that’s necessary to sell to its intended audience, in spite of its lackluster feature set and gigantic nose.