The Lexus RZ hasn’t been with us too long, but the technology behind electric cars is moving quickly so it’s already been updated.
Lexus has taken on board criticism of the way it drove and the lack of a decent range. Consequently, the suspension has been altered, the battery is now larger, and there’s even an increase in power. Being late to a party means you can check what everyone else is up to.
What hasn’t changed is that the Lexus RZ is a seriously classy car which feels solid, looks good, is comfortable, safe and, as it’s a Lexus, should be utterly reliable.
Let’s delve a bit deeper.
Price
Prices start at £48,365 (Oct 26) which means the Lexus RZ is priced higher in the market when compared to other EV cars of a similar size…but it’s important to remember that you’re dealing with a premium brand which uses premium, classy materials, and has a standard of build which is up there with some of the best. It’s a case of getting what you pay for.
Different Options
There are three versions available to choose from.
The RZ 350e will give you a predicted range of 346 miles, while a 0-60 mph sprint takes 7.5 seconds and a 10-80 per cent charge can be done in 28 minutes. The 221 bhp power is delivered via the front wheels.
Move up to the RZ 500e and your power increases to 375 bhp, which means a 0-60 mph sprint takes 4.6 seconds. Your range suffers though, and drops to 306 miles, partly due to the addition of a second motor, which now makes the RZ an AWD car. Charging times stay the same and the amount you pay climbs to £56,295.
Lastly, if you really want to go for it, the 402 bhp 550e shaves your sprint time down to 4.4 seconds but, again, your range takes another hit and is now predicted to be 287 miles. You’ll need to dig deep and find £67,795 which is starting to look rather pricey.
To be honest, I’d go for the entry-level RZ 350e and stick with Premium trim because, as I mentioned earlier, every Lexus comes with a decent level of kit as standard. Okay, it’s always nice to have some serious performance when you need it, but surely a 0-60 mph time of 7.5 seconds is more than adequate for this sort of car. It also means you have a greater range which, when heading off on a family holiday, is probably more important than anything else.
If you need all-wheel drive (handy for those of you who live out in the sticks) you’ll need to go for the 500e or 550e.
Trims & Interior
For the record, as well as the entry Premium trim, you can also go for Premium Plus in the 350e. The 500e adds Takumi trim which gets everything, while the 550e adds F Sport trim.
Premium gives you a foot activated powered tailgate, sat nav, powered and heated front seats and steering wheel, dual zone climate control, windscreen de-icer, panoramic glass sunroof, DAB radio, 7-inch driver display, 14-inch central touchscreen, LED headlights and a raft of safety kit. Do you really need any more?
Speaking of which, the interior is a lovely place to be. It’s understated but smart, and everything looks and feels top class. It’s quite roomy too, meaning five adults can travel in comfort, and with 522 litres of space in the boot for everyone’s bags.
The one reason to go for the expensive F-Sport 550e is that it has more technical wizardry. The regenerative paddles behind the steering wheel now act like gear shifts. The steering wheel is no longer round; instead it’s like the controls you’d find on an aeroplane, with no upper or lower section. Lexus refers to it as a yoke. Turn left or right, and your movements are sent to an electric motor, which then turns the wheels. It takes a bit of getting used to because you never fully turn the wheel. The movements feel quite sensitive but, to be fair, you do get the hang of it eventually. Whether it’s worth the additional expense is a moot point, but it’s certainly a talking point for any passengers.
Driving Experience
Out on the road, the Lexus RZ is seriously good to drive. The changes which Lexus has made to this latest version of the RZ have worked. It’s got quite firm suspension, but it’s never uncomfortable. Also, for a big car, you can hustle along a country lane and have quite a good time.
And even though this is an electric car, it’s eerily quiet. Very little wind or tyre noise, and there’s only a faint distant whine from the motors which we don’t mind.
Summary
In a nutshell, the range of the Lexus RZ has now caught up with the opposition. The rejigged suspension now gives a more settled ride and the dollop of extra power also helps when joining a motorway, for example.
If you want an electric car but don’t want to skimp on a few of life’s luxuries, the Lexus RZ will suit you perfectly. It looks smart, has a lovely interior and gets all of the kit you really need. Great car.
words: Graham Courtney
pictures: Lexus
