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 pure electric vehicle to be offered by Lexus, a compact SUV that brings signature Lexus driving dynamics and luxury to the world of electric vehicles. The powerful electric drivetrain includes standard all-wheel drive, making for a vehicle that’s quite a bit quicker than you might expect from a compact SUV, while delivering the confident and comfortable ride quality you expect from Lexus. The body hints at the future of Lexus design, with the Spindle Grille featured on gasoline-powered Lexus vehicles being replaced by a Spindle Body, which sets a new standard for aerodynamics and aesthetics in EVs. Inside, you’ll find a luxury cabin, complete with premium materials, impressive technology, and luxury comfort levels to make every trip more enjoyable.
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
As the first all-electric Lexus vehicle, the RZ gives us a glimpse of what Lexus can do in this arena. And the first thing to note is that the RZ is quick, thanks to the 308 horsepower and 321 lb-ft of torque produced by the twin electric motors. It's 5-second 0-60 time is a full 1.6 seconds quicker than the fastest non-plug-in version of the NX, Lexus’s other compact SUV. That’s a huge difference, and thanks to standard all-wheel drive, the RZ handles all of that power with ease. The RZ comes with a 71.4 kWh battery pack, good for up to 220 miles of range, with the ability to charge at a rate of three miles per minute on DC fast charging. Lexus worked to make the experience of driving the RZ feel as similar to a gas-powered as possible, and first-time EV buyers will appreciate the familiar feel of the RZ compared to other electric vehicles.
Luxury Interior
For Lexus, the quiet of an electric vehicle is a luxury feature, and the cabin of the RZ is designed to offer a serene experience that highlights this quiet. RZ buyers have a choice of soft-touch materials for the upholstery, either NuLuxe® or Ultrasuede®. Heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel all come standard, which isn’t always the case with compact SUVs, even from luxury brands. In fact, the RZ takes it a step further, with available heated rear outboard seats and a radiant front knee heater. The standard panoramic glass roof lets you enjoy an open feeling with lots of natural light, and the available Dynamic Sky™ feature allows you to turn it opaque with the touch of a button. The large 14-inch infotainment display gives drivers access to standard wireless Android Auto™ and Apple CarPlay®. It’s also what allows the RZ interior to offer a middle ground between a mess of buttons everywhere and the starkly minimalist interiors you see in some EVs. The RZ eliminates clutter without sacrificing functionality, an important balance that a lot of luxury vehicles don’t manage to achieve.
Exceptional Safety
Lexus has a stellar safety record, and the RZ continues that tradition. The RZ comes with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 as standard equipment, a suite of safety technologies that include 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. In addition, more conventional safety systems are in place, like the nine airbags throughout the cabin, and an available head-up display to help you keep your eyes on the road. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives out awards every year to the safest vehicles on the road. The requirements for Top Safety Pick and Top Safety Pick+ are extremely stringent, but Lexus vehicles always win quite a few. For 2023, the RZ was the recipient of a Top Safety Pick+ award**, an impressive accomplishment for a brand-new vehicle.
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