LexusRZ 450e

　　

2023 Lexus RZ 450e Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　, rating written byMark TakahashiSenior Reviews Editor

　　Clint Simone has worked in the automotive industry since 2015. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Before joining zzdcar as a senior reviews editor, Clint contributed to Motor1.com and InsideEVs, evaluating mostly electric cars. Clint loves hot hatchbacks more than any other type of vehicle but secretly enjoys driving big trucks when he gets the chance. He would never admit to that.

　　Lexus and parent company Toyota have been noticeably slow to move into the EV space. That's surprising from the carmaker that pioneered hybrid technology, but the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e looks to finally change all of that. This first Lexus EV is based on the same platform as the Toyota bZ4X and related Subaru Solterra, which had a rather rough debut. The RZ is its own distinct electric SUV, though, with all of the comfort and refinement expected of a Lexus.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below

　　

Lexus RZ 450e EV Insights

Trim:RZ 450e Premium

　　Premium 4dr SUV AWD w/18" Wheels (electric DD) (Most Popular) - $58,500 MSRPPremium 4dr SUV AWD w/20" Wheels (electric DD) - $59,740 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV AWD (electric DD) - $64,000 MSRP

　　

Range

　　220 miles

　　EPA Estimated Range

　　EV batteries lose 1-2% of range per year. Est. range for this car is 187 miles after 8 years.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.

　　Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Rutland, North Dakota. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.Map display generated using: © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT | Map data © Recurrent contributors | Recurrent

　　from 58067

　　

EV Battery Warranty

　　10 yrs or 150,000 milesThe federal government requires that EV batteries be warrantied for a minimum of eight years or 100,000 miles. The EV battery warranty includes replacement if your battery capacity drops below a certain percentage of the original capacity.

　　

Charging at Home

　　10 hours

　　Total Charging Time (240V outlet)

　　SAE ComboStandard port for most electric models. Supports Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast charging.

　　Plug Type

　　

EV Tax Credits & Rebates

　　$400

　　Available Rebates. Restrictions apply.

　　Utility EV Charger Offer

　　$400

　　Restrictions: Otter Tail Power offers EV owners a rebate of up to $400 towards the installation of a Level 2 charging station. To qualify for this rebate, the customer and/or charging station must meet the following requirements: Receive electricity from Otter Tail Power.

　　To learn more, visit Recurrent

　　

Cost to Drive

　　$67/mo

　　RZ 450e

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　SUV Avg.

　　Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　

Am I Ready for an EV?

　　EV ownership works best if you can charge (240V) at home or at work This typically means a 240V home installation, but you could also have a similar setup at your office or other places your car is already parked for several hours each day. Don't expect a regular household outlet (120V) to suffice unless you've got a plug-in hybrid, in which case overnight charging at home is feasible.

　　If you can’t charge at home, charging at a charging station could take at least 10x longer than at a gas station With public charging infrastructure still in its infancy, the user experience can be maddeningly inconsistent. Tesla owners tend to rave about the reliability and speed of the company's proprietary Supercharger stations, but rival DC fast options have thus far been plagued by technical issues and overcrowding. It's an evolving landscape and our best advice is to do your research on the available options for the EV you want to buy.

　　Adding a 240V home charging system could cost up to $1,600 or more If your existing electrical service can handle the additional demands of EV charging, you may be able to add Level 2 charging at home for less than a grand, including installation. But your costs will multiply if you need to upgrade your electrical panel or add a dedicated circuit.

　　The new RZ 450e also adopts Lexus' luxury-focused driving dynamics that favor a calm and quiet touring experience over sporty handling and jaw-dropping acceleration. That said, the RZ is no slouch and will likely exceed most drivers' performance expectations, especially if they're a Lexus loyalist.

　　There's a lot to like about the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e, but there are also some drawbacks that include lackluster range and an elevated price. We go into detail on what works and what could use some improvement in our Expert Rating below.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Good

　　7.9

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

8.0/10

　　How does the RZ 450e drive? Considering its modest 308-horsepower output, the RZ 450e puts down power with some unexpected urgency. Our testing showed a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.8 seconds, tying the Tesla Model Y Long Range. However, nothing else about this Lexus' driving experience is performance-oriented.

　　Most noteworthy about the RZ is how much it feels like any other gas-powered Lexus product, something that was done intentionally to better target that customer base. Some EVs offer immediate shove when you hit the accelerator pedal, but the RZ has some built-in lag to feel more relaxed. The same can be said of the brakes, which feel more traditional and provide very little slowdown from regeneration. As a result, there's no one-pedal driving, even as an option.

　　In the corners the RZ feels relatively planted for an SUV thanks to its battery weight keeping its center of gravity low. However, the softly tuned suspension means it bobs and moves more than most EVs in this segment. This EV is best enjoyed from stoplight to stoplight, making for a great commuter and not a twisty road companion.

　　

Comfort

9.0/10

　　How comfortable is the RZ 450e? 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. Sure, it sacrifices some handling ability but we think the trade is worth it.

　　The seats are supportive and soft, with luxurious materials and powerful heating and ventilation functions. The climate system's heating, however, takes way longer than it should to reach temp — cold mornings will necessitate preheating the cabin or donning a large fluffy sweater until the system wakes up. The radiant heating panels in the front row are a neat idea but don't provide as much warmth as we'd like when called upon.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below