Lexus gave us a look today at the 2023 RZ 450e: an all-electric SUV with an estimated range of 225 miles and a 71.4 kWh battery. The company’s first-ever electric vehicle (EV) will also feature Direct4. That’s its new all-wheel-drive system, which automatically calibrates weight distribution across all four wheels, resulting in “improved take-off acceleration, driving stability and low power consumption.”
Inside the vehicle is a sleek interior with a 14-inch touchscreen and a panoramic sunroof that stretches from the front seats to the rear. A steering yoke, which my colleague Andrew Hawkins complained about in a previous post, is optional.
The steering yoke is optional. Image: Lexus
Lexus included an image of the yoke in its initial tease of the car, but Lexus spokeswoman Amanda Roark confirmed to The Verge that Lexus will be selling the vehicle in the US with a standard wheel for a year. After that, the yoke will be offered as an additional option with steer by wire, a feature that replaces mechanical steering with electronic controls.
Lexus still hasn’t revealed pricing information for the RZ, but it’s likely the luxury vehicle will cost a little more than Toyota’s $42,000 BZ4X electric SUV. The base BZ4X model has an estimated range of 252 miles, a 71.4kWh battery and is based on the same e-TNGA platform as the RZ.
The RZ 450e comes with a 71.4kWh battery that is estimated to last 225 miles on one charge. Image: Lexus
Compared to other luxury electric SUVs, the RZ’s range is a little short with its estimated range of 225 miles. The 2022 BMW iX M60 lasts up to 280 miles on a single charge, while the 2022 Tesla Model X can travel an estimated 333 miles. The RZ’s mileage is more in line with the $51,700 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge, which goes up to 223 miles on a charge.