Lexus · 2023–present

Lexus RZ

The Lexus RZ (Japanese: レクサス・RZ, Hepburn: Rekusasu RZ) is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV built by Toyota for its luxury division Lexus since 2023. It is considered a "large SUV" by Euro NCAP and a "small sport utility vehicle" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The RZ is built on the e-TNGA platform shared with the Toyota bZ4X/Subaru Solterra, it is the first dedicated battery electric vehicle of the Lexus marque that will be sold worldwide and also the second battery electric model after the ICE-based UX 300e.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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History

The RZ was previewed by the LF-Z Electrified concept in March 2021. A prototype RZ was shown in December 2021 during a Toyota press event to announce its future plans for rolling out battery electric models. The production model was unveiled at a press event on April 20, 2022, and it was first shown to the public at Le Volan Cars Meet 2022 Yokohama in late May. The RZ was developed at Toyota's Technical Center Shimoyama. It went on sale in 2022 (as the 2023 model year in North America), initially in RZ 450e grade, which is equipped with a standard fully variable "Direct4" all-wheel drive system and optional steer-by-wire technology. In June 2025, Lexus announced an updated version of the RZ that brings improvements to the battery and motor output as well as a new F Sport version with 'Lexus’ Interactive Manual Drive', a virtual gear shift system that mimics the feel of a manual transmission.

Design

=== Powertrains === The front motor of the RZ 450e is taken from the front-wheel drive version of the bZ4X, while the rear unit is taken from the all-wheel drive version of the same car, making it quicker than the bZ4X/Solterra. Using the 'DIRECT4' system, front/rear axle torque output can be varied continuously from 100:0 to 0:100; during normal driving, the torque split ranges from 40:60 to 60:40. The storage battery is identical to the bZ4X/Solterra, with a capacity of 71.4 kWh. The RZ 450e has an estimated range of 320–360 km (200–225 mi) under the EPA driving cycle, depending on wheel size. The maximum charging rate is 150 kW. Four levels of regenerative braking are available; the lowest level eliminates regeneration entirely and relies on the mechanical (hydraulic) brake system. According to the RZ 450e chief engineer Takashi Watanabe, this was done to provide a more conventional braking feel. At maximum regeneration, the deceleration rate is 0.15 g0 (1.5 m/s2). Steer-by-wire system. The steer-by-wire system, which Lexus have branded "One Motion Grip" for some markets, comes with a steering yoke and removes the physical connection between the yoke and the steering rack. The position of the yoke is used to drive a motor attached to the steering rack, while a second motor provides feedback to the yoke itself. The effort required to turn the yoke varies in response to driving conditions. Regardless of the situation, the total rotational range of motion is 300 degrees, which removes any need to perform a hand-over-hand movement for which a conventional steering wheel may be more suitable. In a hands-on test, Motor Trend called the yoke "little more than a novelty" but declared the "steering system that minimizes movement by instantly and intuitively adjusting to ever

F Sport Performance models

=== RZ450e F Sport Performance === At Tokyo Auto Salon 2023, a F Sport variant LEXUS RZ SPORT CONCEPT Showcased as a concept vehicle. Features a redesigned front bumper, a rear spoiler and overfenders. The production model was announced in January 2024. Based on RZ450e, the production identical to the concept model except L emblem. The alterations kick off with a thoroughly revised front fascia with a splitter clad in carbon fibre as well as a large carbon panel positioned directly below the headlights. Production is limited only 100 units in Japan. The RZ450e "F Sport Performance" shares the same two-motor 4WD powertrain as the standard model, the RZ450e "Version L". RZ600e F Sport Performance. Toyota has announced a special model: RZ600e F Sport Performance, which will be available at dealers on 2 March 2026. The design is very identical to the previous limited RZ450e F Sport Performance model. The RZ600e F Sport Performance ground clearance 20 mm lower than the RZ550e F Sport. Based on the RZ 550e "F SPORT," which features a comprehensively renewed BEV system, the Special Edition RZ 600e "F SPORT Performance".

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Lexus RZ

Manufacturer

Toyota

Production

2023–present

Model years

2023–present

Assembly

Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Motomachi plant)

Designer

Daichi Kimura

Class

Mid-size luxury crossover SUV

Body style

5-door SUV

Layout

Front-motor, front-wheel-drive, Dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (Direct4)

Platform

e-TNGA

Related

Toyota bZ4X/bZ / Subaru Solterra, Toyota C-HR+/C-HR / Subaru Uncharted, Toyota bZ4X Touring/bZ Woodland / Subaru Trailseeker/E-Outback

Transmission

eAxle

Battery

71.4 kWh NMC PPES, 72.8 kWh NMC CATL, 77 kWh NMC PPES

Charging

150kW DC

Wheelbase

2850 mm

Length

4805 mm

Width

1895 mm

Height

1635 mm

Kerb weight

NNNN kg

sp

us

Electric range

500 - (NEDC), 450 km (WLTC), 200 – (EPA)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110123748CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_RZCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375305482 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2023_Lexus_RZ_450e_in_Ether,_front_left.jpgCC BY-SA 3.0 · Photo: Mr.choppers · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.lexus.com/models/RZLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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