2024 Lexus RZ

Electric propulsion and exacting Lexus values seem made for each other. The RZ SUV benefits from quiet and energetic drivetrains, while occupants luxuriate in hushed, plush, well-built and well-designed cabins. This is how to build a premium electric SUV. Some rivals have greater ranges and recharge faster, but Lexus has addressed the first aspect with the new 300e, capable of covering 266 miles. Considering most trips rarely exceed half that distance, and owners can charge at home overnight, then living in the real world with any RZ is still going to be a pleasure. We’re also taken by how the RZ drives. Comfortable, of course, yet still with an athleticism ready to respond to a more forceful right foot.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of electric luxury SUVs, including the Lexus RZ. The test model seen here is a 2023 RZ450e Luxury AWD coated in Ether premium paint (+$500) with a sticker price of $67,090.

A fresh variant joins last year’s single-model RZ. It’s the front-wheel drive RZ 300e, a more affordable way of getting into a brand-new Lexus electric SUV. Also, every new RZ now comes with a dual-voltage (120V/240V) charging cable as standard. And Copper Crest is a fresh paint choice in regular or two-tone exterior color schemes.

Similar vehicles worth cross-shopping include the Tesla Model Y starting at $44K, the Genesis GV60 from $52K, and the Volvo XC40 Recharge kicking off at $52,450.

Before buying a new Lexus RZ 450e luxury electric SUV, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. We expect the RZ’s resale values to be at least average among luxury electric SUVs, and similar to the ever-popular combustion-driven Lexus RX — just in case anyone was wavering between these two.

In light of the RZ 450e Luxury trim being the most popular variant last year, we’ll assume this 308-horsepower/dual-motor drivetrain will retain its top spot in 2024. Like most of today’s electric vehicles, the RZ 450e is effortlessly quick. With the traction of all-wheel drive, it’ll zip from standstill to 60 mph in a respectable five seconds.

Delivering the same high levels of comfort we expect from a Lexus SUV, we’ve also found the RZ 450e surprisingly responsive, composed, and even engaging around town. Steering and brake feel are both good. We do wish the RZ offered a one-pedal driving mode, though, perhaps further demonstrating how our driving preferences are evolving as more and more of our seat time is spent in electric vehicles.

This year sees the debut of the RZ 300e, with one motor driving just the front wheels to the tune of 201 horsepower. This version takes 7.5 seconds to hit 60 mph — about the same as a regular, combustion-engined Lexus RX SUV.

Range and Charging

The RZ 450e SUV can travel for 220 miles from a full battery. That’s with 18-inch wheels fitted. When the 20-inch wheels are in place, maximum range dips to 196 miles. The best range, though, comes with the new RZ 300e: 266 miles with 18-inch wheels, or 224 miles with 20-inch wheels.

Compare those figures with the cheapest Tesla Model Y, which is rated at 260 miles. Or the equivalent Genesis GV60, with an estimated 294 miles to its credit. The Volvo XC40 Recharge offers up to 293 miles of range.

Charging the lithium-ion battery pack in an RZ takes about half an hour to go from almost empty to 80% on a DC fast charger. This doesn’t qualify it among the fastest-charging EVs. Tesla vehicles and EVs from the Kia/Hyundai/Genesis camp are all quicker. A 240-volt home setup can add around 25 miles of range per hour, with a full replenishment achieved in about 9.5 hours.

The interior of the RZ resembles the cabin of just about every other contemporary Lexus. And that’s undoubtedly a good thing, We suspect many will prefer such familiarity, as opposed to some of the more futuristic and austere electric vehicle interiors. We feel the front seats seem set higher than usual, but that’s something we would probably get used to over time.

The top Luxury trim cabin has suede-like seating surfaces. Yet there’s still an eco-friendly angle, with sustainable materials used in their composition. Real wood and real leather don’t feature at all, but we really like the feel of the NuLuxe faux leather wrapped around the steering wheel.

Occupants in both rows will find plenty of space. There’s 37.5 inches of rear legroom, about the same as the GV60 and XC40 Recharge, as well as the Lexus RX. The 2-row Model Y has a few more inches, though. The luggage area behind those seats, however, brings more applause for the RZ, which has nearly 35 cubic feet (several more than the Model Y). The GV60 makes do with 24, while the XC40 Recharge can only muster 16 cubic feet. For comparison, the gas-powered Lexus RX has 29.6.

A couple of cool options for this 5-seater cabin include a panoramic roof with a dimming feature, and radiant heaters that can warm the front section without placing too much of a burden on the battery.

At 189.2 inches long (15.75 feet), the 2024 RZ is 3.5 inches shorter than the midsize RX, 5.5 inches longer than the compact Lexus NX, and with a lower roof than both. The Model Y is virtually the same length; the GV60 is about a foot shorter.

This year sees the RZ gaining Copper Crest paintwork, available as either a solo color or as part of a two-tone scheme with either a choice of whites, silvers, or grays. The larger 20-inch alloy wheels available with the RZ look cool, but keep in mind that they have a noticeable impact on range as well as a detrimental effect on ride quality. Overall, though, the RZ has a recognizable resemblance to other Lexus SUVs, which is just fine by us.

Infotainment touchscreen
At 14 inches, it’s not the biggest display in the class, but substantial nevertheless. It enables Lexus to keep the rest of the RZ’s cabin tidy by migrating many functions that would have required physical buttons in the past. And a lot can be done through voice commands.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
The entry-level Premium model comes with cable-free phone integration as standard, along with wireless charging, Wi-Fi, and five USB-C ports.

Frequency Reactive Dampers
Deployed for the first time in a Lexus, these are a sophisticated form of shock absorber that provide great handling stability without having to make the typical trade-off where ride quality suffers.

Panoramic View Monitor
This is standard in the RZ 450e, providing a 360-degree view of the surroundings.

Mark Levinson audio
Just like other Lexus models, the RZ offers an optional Mark Levinson audio setup, one of the nicest-sounding in the automotive world. The option here is for a 13-speaker/1,800-watt surround-sound system.

Advanced Park
This optional feature takes care of steering, acceleration, and braking when maneuvering into and out of tricky parking spaces.

Both versions of the 2024 RZ electric SUV have battery packs with roughly the same amount of energy storage, which is 71.4 kilowatt-hours (kWh). That’s pretty much average for where the technology is at the moment. In combined city and highway driving, the RZ 450e is capable of achieving the equivalent of 107 mpg (MPGe), while the new RZ 300e can manage 125 MPGe combined.

To compare with other maximum energy efficiency figures, the GV60 is rated at 112 MPGe combined, the Model Y at 122 MPGe combined, and the XC40 Recharge at 106 MPGe combined.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The basic Lexus new-vehicle warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first — a typical arrangement among luxury vehicles. Powertrains are covered for six years or 70,000 miles, which is better than most European competitors. An 8-year/100,000-mile warranty applies to the RZ’s battery.

Safety Ratings

The RZ has been awarded the highest accolade of Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). A comprehensive array of safety technology is standard equipment in the RZ.