Lexus RZ review: Big changes bring big rewards

The original Lexus RZ, released in 2023, wasn’t a bad electric SUV. But it did have its flaws – underpowered, not enough range, slow charging times and a price tag that elevated it way above its competitive set.

But in a case of going back to the drawing board, not only has Lexus heavily updated its flagship EV to address each and every one of those issues but also brought some exciting new technology that it hopes will see the refreshed RZ gain a wider audience.

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How much is the Lexus RZ?

Lexus has emphatically addressed what was arguably the previous RZ’s biggest flaw – price – the accountants running the razor over the spreadsheet with gusto.

The 2026 Lexus RZ range kicks things off with the $84,500 RZ500e Luxury, a headline-grabbing $36,559 less than the model it replaces.

It’s a similar story for the mid-spec RZ500e Sports Luxury, its new $91,000 sticker price a gob-smacking $42,059 cheaper than the outgoing model.

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At the top of the RZ tree, the new flagship 550e F Sport asks for $105,000 and it’s here where we see new technologies – a steer-by-wire steering system complete with F1-style steering yoke; and what Lexus calls Interactive Manual Drive, an artificial gearshift system much like that found in Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and 6 N.

All models, no matter the grade, are generously equipped with 20-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, LED dusk-sensing headlights, electric tailgate, power adjustable heated front seats, 14.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, satellite navigation, and wireless phone charging.

The entry-level RZ 500e Luxury alone features NuLux synthetic leather seat trim and a 10-speaker Panasonic sound system with the mid-spec RZ 500e Sports Luxury and flagship RZ 550e F Sport scoring Ultrasuede upholstery, a premium 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. Additionally, the two high grade models bring a panoramic roof, ventilated front seats, heated rear outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, and head-up display.

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The flagship RZ 550e F Sport, underscoring its sportier demeanour, adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, exterior styling elements including a rear spoiler, steer-by-wire system with F1-style steering yoke, sports seats up front, ‘manual’ drive mode, and aluminium pedals.

How powerful is the Lexus RZ?

Two electric motors provide the shove for all variants. In the two 500e models – Luxury and Sports Luxury – they combine for 280kW, a significant increase of 50kW over the old model.

The new range-topping 550E F Sport features the same twin-electric motor setup, but ups the power ante to 300kW. Those power boosts have improved straight line acceleration, with 0-100km/h claims of 4.6 seconds for 500e models, while the 550e F Sport is marginally quicker at 4.4 seconds.

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What is the driving range of the Lexus RZ?

The revamped Lexus RZ range has addressed one of the major shortcomings of the outgoing model – driving range.

New battery technology with improved density has resulted in significant gains without wholesale increases to battery size.

Battery size has increased to 74.7kWh in both Sport and Sports Luxury models, boosting the claimed driving range, now pegged at 460km (WLTP) up from the 400km claim of the older model.

The new RZ 550e F Sport is fitted with a slightly larger 77kWh battery, although thanks to its extra juice and weight, its WLTP-quoted range is lower at 437km.

Recharging the battery is now faster too, with the maximum AC rate doubled to 22kW, now taking 3.5 hours from 0-100 per cent. DC fast charging is capped at 150kW bringing a 10-80 per cent top-up time of 28 minutes.

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Lexus claims energy efficiency has improved over the outgoing model, now quoted at 18kWh/100km for RZ 500e models, and a slightly higher 18.8kWh/100km for the more powerful (and heavier) RZ 550e F Sport.

Lexus’ launch drive didn’t really provide the canvas for real world energy consumption readings, its blend of long highway stretches and tantalising winding and twisting stretches of tarmac showcasing performance over energy use. We’ll wait until we cycle the various RZ models through the Whichcar by Wheels garage before making a definitive judgment on energy use.

How practical is the Lexus RZ?

Inside, the Lexus RZ treads a familiar path, with thoughtful design, top-notch materials and a fit-and-finish that ranks amongst the best in the segment.

Infotainment comes via a carried-over 14.0-inch touchscreen with the usual suspects – Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, sat-nav, – all accounted for.

Lexus only had Sports Luxury and F Sport models available at launch, so I can’t speak to the cabin treatment of the entry-level 500e Luxury, suffice to say that aside from a few amenities and niceties, and the use of synthetic ‘leather’ on the seats, there’s not a lot to differentiate the trio.

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Both Sports Luxury and F Sport variants make good use of their more expensive price points, a highlight the Ultrasuede interior trim that extends to the door cards which have been enhanced by an intricate laser-cut pattern that looks a million bucks.

The sense of space inside is enhanced by the panoramic glass roof, paying dividends in the second row. A completely flat floor frees up vital foot and leg room, adding to the overall feeling of comfort and luxury.

Boot space is carried over from the old model, quoted at 522L (seats up) and 1451L (second row folded). There’s no under-bonnet storage.

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But the headline act of the cabin, at least in RZ 550e F Sport trim, is the F1-style steering yoke, connected to a steer-by-wire system. It’s only available in the flagship F Sport variant and brings not only a sense of theatre, but also fundamental changes to the way the RZ drives.

Beyond its racecar aesthetic (and its trick steer-by-wire system), the yoke serves other practical purposes – thanks to its dimensions, there’s more leg room for the driver while the view through the windscreen and onto the instrument cluster is unhindered by the rim or spokes of a traditional wheel.

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What’s the Lexus RZ like to drive?

There’s not much between the 280kW Sports Luxury and 300kW F Sport, certainly not in terms of performance. Yes, the F Sport is, on paper, fractionally quicker in a straight line but the 0.2s difference is so small you don’t feel like you’re being short-changed out on the road if you opt for the more affordable of this pair.

Both variants settle into easy and quiet lopes, never feeling overly-stressed. Ambling along at city speeds is whisper quiet, a hallmark of electric powertrains. So too throttle responsiveness when you step on the ‘gas’, the RZ surging forward with ease in an entirely predictable manner. Like so many EVs of its ilk, the RZ is easy to drive, a relaxed and comfortable medium SUV, whether curling on the highway or trawling the suburbs.

Refinements to the chassis, along with tweaks to the suspension for this update, bring refined road manners. Bump absorption is excellent while everyday road nasties are dispatched with cossetting ease. Body control, during more adventurous cornering, remains nicely in check too.

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And it’s here where the F Sport’s steer-by-wire system shows its true hand. With just 200-degrees turn end to end – 100 degrees each left and right from centre, doing away with hand-over-hand steering – inputs are much smaller than a conventional setup. It doesn’t take long to get used to, your mind adjusting quickly as you begin to enjoy the sharp accuracy of even the most minor adjustments. It’s a system that rewards precision.

The conventional steering in the Sports Luxury doesn’t suffer by comparison: still accurate, still responsive, just needing more work from the driver.

As for Lexus’ hyped Interactive Manual Drive, activated in the F Sport only by a press on the ‘M’ (presumably for Manual), button? It’s a miss, filling the cabin with an overly-synthesised sounding imitation of a trad engine and gearbox that’s entirely unconvincing. Hyundai does it better.

What safety technology does the Lexus RZ have?

All Lexus RZ variants are equipped with the brand’s Safety Sense suite of advanced driver assist and safety technologies including autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and driver attention monitoring. A complement of 10 airbags covers both rows.

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ANCAP awarded the Lexus RZ a five-star safety rating in 2023, a score that should carry over to this 2026 update.

What’s verdict on the Lexus RZ?

Lexus should be applauded for acknowledging the inherent flaws of the original RZ, and then addressing those same flaws just three years after launch.

Improvements across the board have resulted in a measurably better mid-size SUV compared to its predecessor. More range, more power and more on-road refinement are the headliners, with steer-by-wire of the F Sport the supporting act.

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The new RZ isn’t without its flaws still, but they pale into almost nothingness when measured against the model it replaces. The F Sport could have done without the fake gearshifts, which is unconvincing at best, and simply awful at worst, but at least it’s a feature that drivers need to opt-in to, meaning it will lie dormant and unused. And while improved driving range is always welcome, in a segment where 500-plus kilometres is becoming increasingly common, the RZ’s 460km claim at its best feels a little below par.

But, saving the best for last, it’s the RZ’s price realignment that arguably represents the biggest improvement, a realignment that brings the mid-sized SUV much closer to its rivals, which should see Lexus now in the conversation around premium mid-size electric SUVs.

Specs

Lexus RZ 500e Luxury standard features

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Dusk-sensing automatic LED exterior lighting
• Electric tailgate
• ‘NuLux’ synthetic leather upholstery
• 8-way electric front seats with heating
• Power steering wheel adjustment
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 7.0-inch digital driver’s display
• 14.0-inch touchscreen
• Satellite navigation
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Wireless phone charger
• 10-speaker Panasonic sound system

RZ 500e Sports Luxury adds

• Two-tone alloy wheels
• Semi-autonomous parking functionality
• Upgraded LED headlights with adaptive high beam
• Dimming panoramic glass roof
• Suede upholstery
• Ventilated front seats
• Heated outboard rear seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Head-up display
• 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio
• Digital rear mirror

RZ 550e F Sport adds

• Black alloy wheels
• Sportier exterior styling, including a rear spoiler
• Steer-by-wire
• Yoke steering wheel
• Manual drive mode
• Front sports seats
• Aluminium pedals