New Lexus RZ Review

How does the RZ drive? Will it feel like a stranger or will it welcome you like every Lexus before it?  Those are good questions.

With its thoughtfully engineered body, the New Lexus RZ feels solid and stable on the road. Strong yet lightweight materials keep the vehicle agile, while the battery is positioned low and centered beneath the floor to maximize cabin spaciousness. 

Maintaining the Lexus Driving Signature, engineers employed rear Frequency Reactive Dampers, a unique Active Hydraulic Booster-G braking system, and other measures that ensure precise control of sprung weight, tactile steering, and natural vehicle posture.

Numerous engineering tricks as well as extensive insulation keep the cabin quiet, just as you’d expect from a luxury SUV. Active Sound Control does the rest! 

Ready for our hot Phoenix climate, a special sealant helps keep dust and water out of the battery, protecting it from Phoenix’s dry and sometimes dusty weather. Efficient cooling systems also help the battery maintain the right temperature, even in Arizona’s extreme heat.

New RZ owners and lessees have access to a concierge guest experience with a dedicated team available via phone to answer BEV questions. Plus your Earnhardt Lexus team will always be available to assist you. Contact us about the ordering process.

Powered by a 72.8kWh lithium-ion battery, the front-wheel drive RZ 300e achieves 201 horsepower. There are no worries about range with an EPA-estimated range rating of 266 miles With 20” wheels, the EPA-estimated range rating is 224 miles. New for New, a dedicated FWD subframe suppresses vibrations and noise, contributing to a smooth and quiet ride.

For those seeking more power, the RZ 450e adds the eAxle, more power, and the DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system. A robust 308 horsepower allows the Lexus EV to do the 0-60 mph sprint in just 5.0 seconds. Electric range reaches 220 miles with 18-inch wheels and 196 miles with 20-inch wheels.

Better than the majority of all-wheel drive systems, DIRECT4 can move torque completely to the front wheels for efficiency or completely to the rear wheels for traction. That’s a ratio of 100:0, 0:100, and everything in between.

You may be asking if these electric vehicles actually live up to the promise of fuel savings. Well, efficiency is terrific at an EPA-estimated MPGe rating of either 137/112/125 or 114/96/105 mpg-e (city/hway/comb) for the front-wheel drive RZ 300.  

The New RZ 450e can claim excellent numbers too. Efficiency ratings show 115/98/107 or 102/87/95 mpg-e (city/hway/comb). With either luxury electric vehicle, you will be paying yourself back for skipping the gas pump. 

Of course, charging is flexible and convenient. Your Lexus RZ purchase or lease includes a dual-voltage charging cable for 120V and 240V outlets and a CCS1 (Combined Charging System (CCS)) socket for at-home and public charging. 

A Level 2 charger can replenish the battery in about 9.5 hours. Ready for your long distance travel, DC fast charging brings the battery from low to 80% in roughly 30–35 minutes. Your navigational tools can help you find the nearest charging stations or plot your route to include them.

Remote charging capabilities are also included with Remote Connect. This gives drivers the ability to check charging status, start/stop charging with a vehicle that is already plugged in and even edit charging schedules, allowing for enhanced controls of the RZ’s charging. The Lexus App also provides an easy-to-use map to find charging station locations.

Adding incredible value to an already excellent package, Lexus Reserve complimentary rental service is complimentary for up to three years after your purchase or lease. You have up to 30 days worth of rental time to use a different vehicle for a big trip across the region or the country.  

You could call the RZ a study in modern, aerodynamic design. Lexus has replaced its signature spindle grille with a spindle body, giving the RZ a distinctive, futuristic face. 

Sculpted fenders and flowing side panels create a sense of forward momentum. At the rear, clean horizontal lines and wide stance hint at the vehicle’s dynamic capabilities. Striking wheel designs—18-inch for most grades and 20-inch for the Luxury trim—allow for further personalization.

Inside, the RZ cabin is a blend of minimalism and luxury. Lexus’s tazuna cockpit design brings controls within easy reach, inspired by the intuitive connection between horse and rider. A low hood and available panorama glass roof open up the space, providing excellent visibility and a sense of airiness. The result is an environment that feels both cutting-edge and welcoming.

Interior colors include singles or duos of Thunderstorm, Macadamia, Palomino, and Dapple Gray. Exterior color choices include a bi-tone option if a single shade just won’t do. 

In a space designed for relaxation and versatility, the cabin’s minimalist approach doesn’t skimp on amenities: NuLuxe trim is standard, while the Luxury grade introduces Ultrasuede upholstery crafted from sustainable materials. Ambient illumination, available in up to 50 colors and 14 themes, sets the mood. The optional Dynamic Sky roof can instantly dim to control sunlight and heat. 

Every detail, from sound-dampening materials to the gentle ambient lighting, is designed to create a peaceful, inviting atmosphere. Dual-zone air conditioning and available ventilated seats ensure a cool ride on a hot Phoenix summer day.

The thoughtful layout means there’s ample room for passengers and cargo alike. The rear cargo area accommodates three golf bags or a pair of large suitcases. Extra storage is found under the center console and in door pockets. 

Technology in the RZ is both advanced and intuitive. The centerpiece is an enormous 14-inch high-definition touchscreen, featuring an anti-reflective coating. Keeping things simple,  smartphone-like controls ensure effortless navigation of menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, keeping your favorite apps and music within easy reach. Five USB ports and an available wireless charging pad keep everyone’s phones charged and ready. 

With the Lexus Interface system, you enjoy cloud-based navigation and Google points of interest for up-to-date directions. Voice commands are handled by the Intelligent Assistant, activated by simply saying “Hey Lexus,” to adjust climate, navigation, or entertainment without taking your hands off the wheel. 

For audiophiles, the available Mark Levinson Surround Sound system places 13 carefully tuned speakers around the cabin. The RZ also supports digital key access, Wi-Fi connectivity for up to five devices, and remote vehicle controls through the Lexus app. You can use this for charging management to ensure your ride is always ready to roll. Plus, it allows for climate pre-conditioning to cool off the cabin on a hot summer afternoon.

Every New Lexus RZ comes equipped with a suite of driver assistance features designed to enhance safety and peace of mind without overwhelming the driver. The Pre-Collision System can alert you to vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists ahead, even applying emergency braking if needed.  

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control adapts to traffic, maintaining a preset distance and even handling stop-and-go situations.  Proactive Driving Assist gently adjusts speed and steering to support smooth driving in curves or when approaching slower vehicles. 

Lane Tracing Assist and Lane Departure Alert help keep the vehicle centered and provide gentle steering support if you begin to drift. Road Sign Assist recognizes and displays important signage. Lexus Digital Latch with Safe Exit Assist prevents doors from opening into oncoming traffic or cyclists. 

Traffic Jam Assist can take over some driving tasks in slow-moving highway traffic, allowing for a more relaxed commute. These technologies work seamlessly in the background, supporting rather than replacing the driver, and ensuring every journey is as safe as it is enjoyable.

Choosing the New Lexus RZ is about more than just driving an advanced electric vehicle—it’s about joining the Earnhardt Lexus family. 

At Earnhardt Lexus, you’ll experience No Bull pricing and No Bull financing, meaning transparency and honesty at every step. The dealership’s luxury-level customer service ensures you’re treated with care whether you just found us or have been trading with us for years. 

Earnhardt’s reputation for integrity and excellence is backed by factory trained technicians known for expertise and attention to detail. So you can trust our state-of-the-art service department with your luxury car maintenance needs.

When you’re ready for a new kind of electric luxury, schedule your test drive at Earnhardt Lexus and discover the difference for yourself—where every detail is designed with you in mind. 

Contact us if you want to order the RZ or you don’t see what you want in our inventory.

We look forward to demonstrating RZ technologies, including the Four Parallel View Monitor and Park Assist features.  At the dealership, on the phone or over the internet, customer satisfaction is our number one priority.