Following hard on the heels of the Toyota bZ4x comes a plusher counterpart from Lexus. The new RZ 450e might be based on the strangely-named Toyota, but it couldn’t be mistaken for it – the new electric car is sized between the NX and RX and shares their dramatic looks both inside and out.
It’s definitely an interesting looking car. It continues the use of the company’s ‘spindle’ grille, despite not having a radiator behind it, and is distinguished by complex surfacing and slashes along the flanks. It’s up against more conservative-looking cars, such as the Audi Q4 E-Tron, Mercedes-Benz EQA and Volvo XC40 Recharge.
The new car is an electric SUV available with four-wheel drive only, and plays on this thanks to the introduction of the One Motion Grip, which is an all-electronic system that does away with the connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This allows the option of significantly altered steering characteristics depending on what drive mode has been selected. We’re looking forward to trying it out.
What’s it like inside?
The centrepiece of the RZ 450e’s interior is an imposing 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Lexus’s latest operating system and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. It’s a connected setup, so you’ll be able to keep track of the car’s location and get it to flash the hazard lights for assistance locating the car from a distance.
You can spec it with radiant heaters at knee level up front, which are part of a package which includes heated seats and a heated steering wheel. Lexus says this will speed up the warm-up process for occupants, and therefore will be more efficient because it’s loading up the battery for less time.
It’s also available with a powered and dimmable panoramic roof that can easily and quickly switch from transparent to opaque, rather like a Dreamliner aeroplane. It’s also coated to reduce heat build-up on warm days, and keeping things toasty inside in colder conditions.
What’s it like to drive?
We need to wait a little longer to find out. It should be quick, as the RZ 450e packs 313hp from its twin-motor setup (204hp front, 109hp rear). That’s enough for a claimed 0-62mph time of 5.6 seconds, and on to a top speed limited to 99mph. The battery capacity is 71.4kWh and Lexus says that gives the RZ 450e more than 250 miles of range between charges.
What else should I know?
The Lexus RZ 450e is available to order now, although the first deliveries aren’t expected until early 2023.
Pricing is to be confirmed, but we’d expect a start point of around £50,000, which puts it above the UX in the model lineup.
