Lexus has been lagging in the electric space. Since Lexus and its parent company, Toyota, sell hundreds of thousands of hybrids a year, you'd think these automakers would be all over electric vehicles, but that hasn't been the case until now. Toyota's bZ4X broke cover late last year, and now it's that car's more posh sibling turn to take a bow. Meet the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e, the brand's first globally available EV.
2023 Lexus RZ 450e





- Lexus' first electric vehicle sold in the U.S.
- A small crossover roughly the size of an NX and based on the Toyota bZ4X
- 225 miles of all-electric range
- Launches the first RZ generation for 2023
- 2023

The RZ 450e features two electric motors, one on each axle, that are powered by a 71.4-kWh battery pack. Lexus says the RZ's front motor will make 201 horsepower and the rear motor will produce 107 hp. That's a major step up from the bZ4X and Solterra, which use twin 107-hp motors in their all-wheel-drive configurations.
As for range, Lexus says the RZ will go 225 miles on a single charge, as long as you opt for the smaller 18-inch wheels. The larger 20s will likely sap more range and bring that figure down a touch. If 225 miles on a single charge seems like a middling figure in 2022, you'd be right. There are half a dozen other EV crossovers from the likes of Ford, Kia, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Tesla, Volkswagen and Audi that will cover more ground than this Lexus. However, as our real-world EV range tests have proven time and again, EVs often go farther than their EPA estimates suggest, so maybe the RZ 450e will be an overachiever. We'll find out when the electrified Lexus goes on sale toward the end of the year.
While the RX 450e has a passing resemblance to the NX on the outside, you might be struck by déjà vu on the inside. The RZ's cabin is almost a carbon copy of the NX's, featuring the same instrument cluster and 14-inch infotainment screen. The biggest difference between the two crossovers will come at some unspecified date later this year, and it's the RZ's new optional steering wheel.
Like the Tesla Model S and Model X, the RZ will be available with a yoke — a steering wheel without an upper section — but Lexus says its approach is different to Tesla's. This yoke will have a much higher steering speed, made possible by a steer-by-wire system. Essentially, smaller inputs will result in bigger movements from the front tires, hopefully eliminating the hand-over-hand flailing we've experienced in the new Model S. However, this is the second time an automaker has literally tried to reinvent the wheel, and we can only hope Lexus' solution is better executed than Tesla's in real life.
It's about time Lexus got in on the EV game, but we aren't sure if the RZ 450e will be more appealing than a Model Y or any of the other EVs that are already on sale from other legacy automakers. Stay tuned for our full driving impressions and whether the RZ 450e is worth taking over its competition.




Related 2023 Lexus RZ 450e info
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Saturn Astra 2000
- Used Mazda 5 2010
- Used Lexus LS 500 2005
- Used Audi TT 2002
- Used Chevrolet Spark 2015
- Used Ford Bronco 1994
- Used Ram Promaster City 2016
- Used Subaru Legacy 2004
- Used BMW ALPINA B7 2012
- Used Chevrolet Express Cargo 2009
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2022 Kia Soul
- 2022 Ford Edge
- 2022 Audi Q7
- 2022 GMC Yukon XL
- 2022 Honda HR-V
- Acura RDX 2022
- 2022 Kia Carnival
- Ford Explorer 2022
- 2022 Lexus LC 500
- Alfa Romeo Giulia 2021
Vehicle rankings by type
- Best SUVs
- Best Electric Cars
- Best Hybrids
- Best Sedans
- Best Crossovers
- Best Trucks
- Best Compact Vehicles
- Best Minivans
Other models to consider
- 2021 Lexus LC 500H
- 2022 RX 350
- Lexus IS 350 2022
- Lexus GX 460 2022
- 2022 ES 350
- Lexus IS 300 2022
- Lexus RX 350 2021
- 2022 Lexus RX 450H
- 2021 RX 350L
- 2021 Lexus IS 350
Research Similar Vehicles
- 2022 Jeep Wrangler
- 2022 Toyota RAV4
- Kia Telluride 2022
- 2022 Honda CR-V
- 2022 Escalade
- 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee
- 2022 Model Y
- 2021 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
- 2022 Corolla Cross
- 2022 Hyundai Tucson
Hot new vehicles
- 2020 Tesla Model 3
- 2022 Ford Bronco
- 2023 Vinfast VF-8
- 2021 Mustang Mach-E
- 2023 Vinfast VF-9
- 2021 Karma GS-6
Recommended
- Oldsmobile Toronado 1990
- Volvo S60 2016 Features Specs
- Plymouth Grand Voyager 1999 Features Specs
- Pontiac 6000 1991 Pictures
- Audi A6 2020 Pictures
Other models
- New Lexus NX-250 for Sale in Sandy, UT
- New Chrysler Pacifica for Sale in San Antonio, TX
- New Volkswagen Atlas-Cross-Sport for Sale in Cerritos, CA
- New Subaru Impreza for Sale in South San Francisco, CA
- New Mini Hardtop-2-Door for Sale in Laredo, TX
- New Chevrolet Express-Cargo for Sale in Hamilton, OH
- New Audi S7 for Sale in Toledo, OH
- New BMW X6-M for Sale in Murfreesboro, TN
- New Mazda MX-30 for Sale in Daly City, CA
- New GMC Sierra-1500-Limited for Sale in Dekalb, IL
- New Mitsubishi Mirage-G4 for Sale in East Lansing, MI
- New Volkswagen Atlas-Cross-Sport for Sale in Gulfport, MS
- New Alfa-Romeo Stelvio for Sale in Lowell, MA
- New Kia Soul for Sale in Kissimmee, FL
- New Subaru BRZ for Sale in Cicero, IL
- New Ford Ranger for Sale in Bonita Springs, FL
- New Toyota Mirai for Sale in Urbana, IL
- New Infiniti QX80 for Sale in Antioch, CA
- New Mercedes-Benz Maybach for Sale in Woodland, CA
- New Hyundai Santa-Fe for Sale in Newark, CA
- New Mazda CX-5 for Sale in Bell Gardens, CA
- New Porsche Macan for Sale in Lombard, IL
- New Volvo XC40 for Sale in Provo, UT
- New Toyota BZ4X for Sale in Lynn, MA
- New Toyota C-HR for Sale in San Luis Obispo, CA
- New Mercedes-Benz Sl-Class for Sale in Kissimmee, FL
- New GMC Canyon for Sale in Torrance, CA
- New GMC Yukon for Sale in Elmhurst, IL
- New Lexus RX-450HL for Sale in Fountain Valley, CA
- New Toyota Corolla-Hybrid for Sale in Parker, CO