The first fully electric vehicle from Lexus was the UX 300e, unveiled worldwide in 2019, but it was not a true EV in the sense that it was built on an existing platform that was meant for combustion engines. It was also never offered for sale in Malaysia. The new Lexus RZ rectifies both of these points—it uses a new platform purpose-built for EVs, and it debuts in Malaysia as a singular RZ 450e Luxury variant (RM429,888). The e-TNGA platform, which is also found on the Toyota bZ4X, offers advantages such as reduced weight when compared to a combustion engine platform, optimised mass placement, and better rigidity.
The Lexus RZ is a mid-sized crossover SUV with a 71.4kWh battery capacity, providing a stated range of up to 440km. Its maximum DC charging capability is 150kW, with a charge time of approximately 30 minutes for 0 to 80 per cent. It has two motors, one on each of the front and rear axles, and has a total power output of 308bhp (or 313 PS) and 435Nm of torque. The 0-100km/h time is 5.3 seconds.
As has often been the case, the implementation of an EV is also an opportunity for visual change but these are not so extreme for the RZ. It is an edgier take on the brand’s visual identity, with a couple of well-defined creases running up from the front wheel arch and down the shoulder line to the rear, where it ends in a wraparound visor of taillights. Two small, fin-like spoilers sit on each corner of the roof, contributing visually and aerodynamically. The most noticeable departure is at the front, where the lack of a large grille means that the iconic ‘spindle grille’ is now more of a ‘spindle body’—but its pointy, trapezoidal motif is still immediately recognisable, in an especially clean and modern guise.
Inside is a different story, however—it looks and feels much like one would expect from a Lexus. It is minimalist, very conscious of space and meditative, lacking the drama of all-around running lights or overly insistent architecture. The interior is largely monochromatic, with its different greys broken up by touch and texture. The upholstery is in soft, leather-like Ultrasuede material, while the centre console is adorned with a veined ‘tsuyasumi’ pattern, evoking natural cinder blocks. The steering wheel is especially comforting to hold. Beneath the powered tailgate, one finds 522l of cargo space, increasing to 1,451l when the rear seats are folded down.
The fascia is dominated by the expansive 14in central touchscreen. The lower part of the screen is dedicated to climate control functions, though a few of them still have dedicated physical knobs—most notably for the temperature and volume controls. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included. The instrument cluster is a seven-inch screen that is functional and practical, but also graphically unimpressive by today’s standards; the head-up display alleviates this somewhat by taking over some of the workload. It has a neat synergy with the steering wheel, which has a bank of thumb buttons on either side. When these buttons are lightly but not fully depressed, a diagram will pop up on the head-up display, indicating which function that particular button is tied to. This makes it exceptionally easy to dial in cruise control, flip through music stations, or answer phone calls—all without the eyes leaving the road. A 13-speaker Mark Levinson audio system completes the internal luxuries.
In terms of driving, the RZ is more composed than sporty—while reasonably quick, the nature of the power delivery is organic rather than ferocious. It is easy to be smooth on the thrust, and lacks the twitchy impatience that some EVs have. The default settings for the regenerative system mirror this—back off the pedal, and the car slows in a way that feels very much like engine braking. It is not especially tall for an SUV and this, combined with the low centre of gravity, means poise in the corners and little body roll.
The Lexus RZ also the sees the brand’s DIRECT4 intelligent all-wheel drive control system applied to two electric motor axles for the first time, which balances torque and braking force throughout all four wheels to provide a particularly stable ride. It is also equipped with a full suite of safety and assistance systems, including stop-and-go dynamic cruise control, and a self-parking system that makes full use of its four cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors.
The RZ is a quiet ride as well, and not just because it is electrically propelled. Some of the considerations to reduce wind and road noise are an all-around seal for the bonnet, a vibration-damping sheet inserted in the roof, and acoustic glass used in the front and rear windows.
The Lexus RZ is something of a late entry, but stands out in a crowded segment with a sensible, straightforward design philosophy that is unique to the Japanese marque. It is a credible first step in the automaker’s plans to shift to EV-only offerings by 2035.
More photos of the Lexus RZ 450e
