The luxury substitute of the Toyota bZ4X is here with more power and its own design cues. Welcome the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e – the brand’s first dedicated EV.
Exterior
Starting a comparison with its lesser siblings – the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra – we can find less use of body cladding, a different greenhouse with glossy black panel, different positioning of the side mirrors, and a distinct shape of the headlights. Alternatively, the 2023 RZ has its own upper character lines and wheel design. We see a similar story at the back where the dual-piece roof spoiler and the company badges have their own identity.
Interior
On the inside, the pictures also show a yoke-style steering wheel, similar to the Tesla Model S. In addition, we see the Lexus RZ 450e has its distinct digital instrument cluster, a bigger 14-inch touchscreen (the equivalent Toyota and Subaru EVs have12.3-inch infotainment), and fewer quick shortcuts on the center console, etc.
Some of you might feel the start/stop button’s location is a bit awkward at the left of the central air vents. The side vents are aligned horizontally rather than vertically compared to the Toyota and Subaru EVs. Being a luxury crossover SUV, Lexus made sure the RZ’s interior feels and looks plusher than its lesser siblings.
Powertrain
Similar to the Solterra, the RZ EV is an all-wheel-drive model. The company calls the drivetrain “Direct4.” Thanks to the two improved motors – the front making 150 kW and the rear creating 80 kW – the 450e generates more power than both the bZ4X and Solterra. The total output is 230 kW or 308 horsepower, which is 93 hp more than the AWD models of Subaru and Toyota generating a total of 215 horsepower.
The torque story is similar to the horsepower rating; the RZ is rated at 321 lb-ft (435 Nm) versus 249 lb-ft (336 Nm) of the lesser EVs. The 71.4-kWh battery pack is the same we find in its counterparts, delivering 225 miles (362 kilometers) of range.
Analyzing again with its siblings, the bZ4X all-wheel-drive model offers 228 miles (XLE) and 222 miles in the Limited variant. The Solterra’s figures are the same – delivering 228 miles for the Premium and 222 miles for the Limited and Touring.
The difference in the range appears due to the additional gadgets for the upper-level trims, making them heavier. Moreover, the pricier trims also use bigger wheels. The 225 miles range of the RZ is for the US-bound model with 18-inch alloys.
Price and Availability
The 2023 RZ 450e will hit the roads in North America before the end of 2022. Lexus did not mention the price in the press release but we expect them to demand more than $44,080 – the price for the bZ4X XLE with AWD. If we consider the better-loaded bZ4X Limited model with dual e-motors retailing at $46,700, we should be ready to pay around $50,000 before incentives.
The arrival of RZ 450e in the UAE is still not confirmed.
Source and Images: Motor1