2023 Lexus RZ Review and Test Drive

The first electric vehicle from Lexus is likable but flawed.

Christian Wardlaw | 

Jan 8, 2024 | 12 min read

Christian Wardlaw

Lexus is late to the electric vehicle game. Long a leader in hybrid powertrains, Toyota and its luxury brand misjudged the demand for EVs among their target customers — leaving the door wide open for rivals. For example, in 2022, Tesla was the bestselling luxury marque in the United States, far exceeding even second-place BMW.

Unfortunately, I think two things hobble the new 2023 Lexus RZ electric SUV. First, the maximum driving range could be more impressive. Second, Lexus builds the RZ in Japan, making it ineligible for the federal income tax credit available for EVs built in the United States. At the time of publication, Lexus is offering large lease cash incentives on the RZ.

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If the automaker could double the RZ's range without increasing its price, I think it could be a front-runner among electric luxury SUVs. At the moment, it feels like an also-ran.

Lexus sells its new EV in RZ 450e specification and Premium and Luxury trim levels. The base price is just over $60,000, and Luxury trim adds $5,500 to the tally. For this Lexus RZ review, I drove an RZ 450e Luxury equipped with extra-cost paint, an illuminated front Lexus emblem, a Dynamic Sky panoramic glass roof, and a carpeted trunk mat. The manufacturer's suggested retail price was $66,540, including the $1,150 destination charge. Lexus provided the vehicle for this RZ review, and I evaluated the EV in Southern California.

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2023 Lexus RZ Review: The Design

Lexus design often represents a love-it-or-leave-it proposition. But no matter what you think of it, modern Lexus models are undeniably distinctive. You can typically recognize a Lexus with no more than a glance — which is the point.

Aside from its unnecessary gloss-black overfenders — which I feel make the RZ 450e's gorgeous 20-inch wheels look small and insignificant — I like the looks of this electrified Lexus. Park it next to the increasingly ubiquitous Tesla Model Y, and the Lexus RZ offers more visual interest and character. I don't recommend the unusual two-tone paint with the black hood, though.

I found my test vehicle's artificial-suede trimmed, Thunderstorm over Macadamia interior compelling. In addition, the optional Dynamic Sky panoramic glass roof can be adjusted from frosted to a clear view. Unfortunately, the presence of some glossy hard plastic detracted from the ambiance.

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The Lexus Interface infotainment system features a 14.0-inch touchscreen display, physical knobs for stereo volume and climate functions, and dual-mode steering wheel controls that I found distracting to use. The electronic door latch and transmission controls also felt odd to me.

Lexus equips the RZ 450e Premium with eight-way power-adjustable front seats, which are heated, ventilated, and wrapped in NuLuxe artificial leather. A heated steering wheel is also standard. Opting for the Luxury trim swaps the NuLuxe for Ultrasuede simulated suede, adds acoustic side window glass for a quieter interior, and installs heated rear seats.

Drivers and front-seat passengers will likely be quite comfortable, and though the testing day was mild, the climate system kept my occupants cool under the glass roof. Another unusual detail about the RZ is that the steering wheel is wrapped in a material that feels more like fabric than traditional leather.

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While I found the back seat roomy, I also found the cushion was mounted too low to provide proper thigh support. Nevertheless, a flat interior floor, generous legroom, and the glass roof contributed to the cabin's roomy feel. The RZ doesn't offer a separate rear-seat climate control panel, but rear passengers do get climate vents, USB ports, and a power outlet.

Interior storage space feels decent, and includes a sizable bin under the center armrest, roomy door-panel bins, and a tray underneath the center console. However, the RZ doesn't have a traditional glove compartment, and second-row storage is not as robust as it is in the front.

A hands-free power rear liftgate is standard, and when it rises, it reveals 34.9 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the back seat. Lexus locates much of that volume under the cargo load floor, where you'll find a huge hidden compartment. Unfortunately, the RZ's rakish rear window glass limits the ability to pack the trunk vertically, and with the seats folded, the volume expands to just 47.9 cu-ft. Unlike some rivals, the Lexus RX doesn't have a front trunk.

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2023 Lexus RZ Review: The Technology

Lexus equips the RZ with digital instrumentation, but while the panel looks big, the display area feels relatively small. As a result, the content shown there appears crammed into the space, which I found impaired its legibility.

With the Luxury trim, a head-up display (HUD) helps somewhat. However, the steering wheel controls governing the HUD and its data are unmarked because they serve dual functions. That means drivers must remember the dual-functionality design and manually switch to the alternate set of controls. Forget this, and you'll likely become frustrated.

I also think putting the markings for each set of functions within the HUD requires too much hand-eye coordination and thought processing for drivers. While looking at the HUD, you must first assess which functions are active, then change to the alternate ones. Either way, once the desired function set is active, you must reference the HUD to understand which steering wheel control performs what function and then look down to ensure you use it properly.

Presumably, Lexus has developed this technology to reduce interior clutter. Perhaps the intention is noble, but I think the execution leaves something to be desired. I believe commonly used features and functions should always be obvious, located where people expect to find them, and easy to understand.

Every RZ has a Lexus Interface infotainment system with a 14.0-inch touchscreen display. Lexus Interface integrates the infotainment, vehicle settings, and climate system into a single panel with just a few physical controls for cabin temperature, stereo volume, and window defrosters. Want to tune the radio to a different station? Use the touch-sensing buttons on the display, the unmarked dual-function steering wheel controls, or an active Drive Connect subscription to request a station by voice.

In addition to the lack of a physical tuning knob, the system lacks a home display and a back button. The decision to omit these features might save extra steps that are ultimately unnecessary, but it also robs users of common ways to orient themselves. When you've chosen the wrong menu or completed a task, a back button is a natural way to return to where you were. And, if you get too far down into a menu, a home button and home screen serve as a way to reorient yourself. As I see it, Lexus is rethinking conventional user-interface tenets here, to no good effect.

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Standard infotainment features include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, a wireless phone charger, access to streaming music platforms, and several connected service plans with complimentary trial periods of varying lengths. Wi-Fi Connect provides access to a Wi-Fi hot spot. Remote Connect provides remote-access functions via a smartphone app. Safety Connect adds SOS emergency calling and automatic collision notification. Drive Connect activates the cloud-based navigation and Intelligent Assistant natural voice recognition systems.

Luxury trim adds a digital key feature that allows you to open, start, and drive the RZ using your smartphone. It also equips the EV with an impressive 13-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system.

Lexus Interface contains a seemingly endless list of configuration options for the RZ's functions. I highly recommend any buyers read the owner's manual thoroughly and spend some quality time setting their preferences, so screen interaction can be limited as much as possible.

My test vehicle had an active subscription to Drive Connect, so the Intelligent Assistant technology was functional. You wake the assistant by saying, "Hey, Lexus." The technology replies: "What do you want to do?" Then, you can speak a command.

When I subjected the technology to my usual list of test commands, it produced an inaccurate response to an urgent request to find a hospital, providing selections that were medical facilities but not hospitals. While listening to SiriusXM satellite radio, I told the Intelligent Assistant I wanted to hear reggae music. The assistant told me to log into my Apple Music account using the Lexus app rather than change to the Bob Marley station. Otherwise, I thought the technology worked well, including when I requested directions to the closest DC fast charger.

Lexus offers several features to improve visibility and make the RZ easier to park. They include a standard panoramic surround-view camera and an available digital rearview camera. In addition, front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking are standard, and the Luxury trim adds an Advanced Park hands-free parking assistance system.

Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0) is standard on every Lexus RZ, and includes the advanced driving-assistance systems (ADAS) expected on a modern luxury vehicle. The more unusual features include Proactive Driving Assist, Curve Speed Management, Intersection Support, and, with Luxury trim, Front Cross-Traffic Alert.

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Proactive Driving Assist can automatically adjust vehicle speed to maintain a safe following distance to vehicles ahead, even when you're not using the adaptive cruise control system.

Curve Speed Management automatically reduces speed for upcoming curves when you're using adaptive cruise control. While the intention is good, I think the technology slows the vehicle too much in practice.

The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems provide hands-on semi-autonomous driving assistance, and the RZ 450e Luxury adds a lane-change-assist feature that helps to steer the RZ into an adjacent lane for a signaled pass. The lane-change-assist function works well, but I feel the RZ is too slow to realize it's no longer following a slower vehicle and can safely accelerate back to the set speed.

Luxury trim adds Traffic Jam Assist. This low-speed semi-autonomous driving aid works at lower speeds, such as when driving in heavy traffic, to maintain a safe following distance and keep the RZ in the intended lane of travel. It requires an active Drive Connect subscription to work.

While I was using the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering technology, the modes suffered momentary bouts of confusion when one lane widened into two and when driving through bends in the highway. In addition, I found it reacted too abruptly when motorists merged into gaps ahead. However, it successfully ignored exit and entrance ramps on a freeway, and when traffic ahead came to a halt, the adaptive cruise control brought the RZ to a smooth, safe stop.

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2023 Lexus RZ Review: The Drive

Lexus equips the RZ 450e with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing a total of 308 horsepower. A 150-kW front-axle motor powers the SUV's front wheels, while an 80-kW rear-axle electric motor propels the rear wheels. Lexus says the RZ 450e accelerates to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds.

A 71.4-kWh lithium-ion battery provides the juice, and the RZ 450e is EPA-rated at up to 220 miles on a full charge. The Luxury and the Premium trim — when equipped with 20-inch wheels — are rated at 196 miles. Lexus claims the RZ recharges to 80% in 30 minutes using a 150-kW DC fast charger. Set up a 240-volt, 32-amp home charging station and it will take 9.5 hours. If you plug the Lexus into a standard household wall outlet, it will take about 50 hours.

Eco, Normal, Sport, Range, and Custom driving modes are available. Range maximizes battery life but also reduces the operation of unnecessary functions, such as the climate controls. During the evaluation drive, I used Normal mode in typical driving situations and Sport mode for mountain driving. In addition, I put the regenerative braking system into its most aggressive setting except for highway driving, where I used the second lowest setting of four.

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I set off on the evaluation drive with an indicated 184 miles of range. At the end of the 76.6 route, the RZ 450e showed 101 miles of remaining range and an efficiency number of 2.7 miles per kilowatt-hour. Translated, that is equivalent to 37 kWh per 100 miles, or slightly less efficient than the official rating of 36 kWh per 100 miles.

The Lexus RZ 450e isn't fast by EV standards, but I found it quick compared with a Lexus RX 350, and it emits a distinctive, futuristic sound when accelerating. I didn't sense much difference between Normal and Sport modes, other than the RZ feels more responsive to accelerator inputs and more energetic when exiting curves and corners in Sport. Overall, I think the drivetrain is properly calibrated for Lexus buyers.

Similarly, I found the RZ good in urban and suburban environments. The MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension offer impressive isolation from speed bumps and humps, and while the ride is firm, it is pleasant. The RZ is quiet, too, and the regenerative braking system feels natural underfoot, so smooth, jostle-free stops are easy.

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As speed picks up, I found some flaws. For example, wind and road noises are more noticeable than I expected. Also, on undulating pavement, the Lexus exhibits unwanted body motion, and I feel it could use an adaptive damping suspension. In addition, while the steering is silky and accurate, it also feels artificial and lifeless.

The RZ 450e's driving dynamics didn't fall apart on Southern California's legendary Mulholland Highway. Equipped with P235/50R20 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tires, the vehicle's grip was good, but the EV feels nose heavy, so it's crucial to reduce speed before entering a curve. The brakes held up, too. But this isn't a vehicle that encourages enthusiastic driving. And that's fine, because that's not the Lexus RZ's mission.

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Is the 2023 Lexus RZ a Good EV?

It's been a long time since I immediately liked a Lexus as much as I do the 2023 RZ. But, this EV's potential is unrealized, simply because I think it's too expensive given its limited range. That said, the available incentives might help, and range anxiety isn't a significant hurdle in daily driving — especially if you have a Level 2 home charging station. It should only create concern if you find yourself far from home and in need of public charging, which can prove finicky.

All vehicle pricing includes MSRP plus destination charges (set at the time of publication), and will be rounded to the nearest thousand.

Christian Wardlaw

Chris says his first word was "car." For as long as he can remember, he's been obsessed with them. The design. The engineering. The performance. And the purpose. He is a car enthusiast who loves to drive, but is most passionate about the cars, trucks, and SUVs that people actually buy. He began his career as the editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com in the 1990s, and for more than 30 years has created automotive content for CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, the New York Daily News, and others. Chris owns Speedy Daddy Media, has been contributing to Capital One Auto Navigator since 2019, and lives in California with his wife, kids, dog, and 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata.