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The Toyota and Lexus brands are some of the last brands to join the EV party, but maybe they should have abstained. The Lexus RZ is cool but extremely lacking.
The new RZ is an electric SUV that slots between the NX and RX in terms of sizing. This makes it useful, comfortable, and enjoyable until you take it for a drive. The impressive Lexus cabin is easy to admire; packed with tech and comfort, it’s a fitting cabin for a Lexus SUV. Still, if you’re looking for an electric vehicle that will be the poster child for range anxiety, you’ve found it in the new RZ.
How bad is the driving range in this Lexus EV?
If it were ten years ago, the RZ would seem like a long-range electric SUV, but that’s not the case any longer. This new EV provides a maximum of 220 miles of driving range with higher trims only achieving 196 miles. These figures are downright paltry compared to most of the competition and extremely poor for a brand-new electric vehicle. If you choose the RZ as the EV for you, it’s important you also have an at-home Level 2 charging station installed; you’ll use it almost every night.
Driving range aside…
When we don’t think about the range anxiety built into the Lexus RZ, we can see this new luxury electric SUV is attractive, stylish, and elegant. The rear end features a full-width taillight bar tucked under the lip spoiler. The front showcases the signature spindle grille, giving this vehicle a familiar welcome. The base Premium model rides on a set of 18-inch wheels, but the optional 20-inch wheels look better and fit this Lexus perfectly.
Moving inside, you’ll find a simple, understated, and elegant cabin packed with premium qualities. The NuLuxe faux leather is comfortable and attractive, bringing some impressive colors to your drive. The gray/blue combination offset with tan gives this cabin area a desirable appearance. Soft plastic touches are found throughout the cabin, making it easy to enjoy the comfort and soft surfaces that make this SUV enjoyable.
Does the RZ ride well?
One of the most impressive and redeeming qualities of this electric Lexus SUV is the ride quality. You’ll feel a smooth and comfortable ride over the pavement, even if a few blemishes exist. The quietness of the cabin is accentuated by the fact that it’s an electric vehicle, making this a great place to enjoy a drive. The front passengers enjoy a radiant knee heater that keeps them warm and helps maintain driving range, which can be reduced with traditional forced-air heating.
The rear seat area of the Lexus RZ is comfortable and spacious, making it easy for adult-sized passengers to enjoy the ride. The flat floor removes the challenge of the transmission tunnel, which is usually reserved for the smallest passenger. There’s plenty of cargo room in this SUV, with 23.7 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 55.6 cubic feet when you fold the seats flat.
What powers the Lexus RZ?
Every version of this Lexus electric SUV uses a dual permanent-magnet synchronous electric system to send 308 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque to all four wheels. These power figures are impressive and exciting; too bad the driving range only reaches 220 miles. The entire system receives power from a 71.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Maybe future RZ models could be offered with a larger battery pack to improve driving range.
Why is 220 miles considered inadequate?
Drivers who spend their time living and working in a city or only running errands a few times per week might feel the 220-mile driving range of the Lexus RZ is plenty for them but should hold off before running to the Lexus dealership.
As we’ve learned with electric vehicles, the best way to protect the lifespan of battery packs is to charge them to 80% of the full charge regularly. The only times you should charge 100% is when preparing for a road trip. Additionally, the batteries shouldn’t be depleted to less than 10% before recharging. That means 30% of the overall driving range isn’t available to you. For the Lexus RZ, that means 66 miles, cutting the overall useful driving range to 154 miles.
If you face a long daily commute or regularly take road trips, the Lexus RZ isn’t the right electric vehicle for you. On the other hand, the comfort, quality, and ride offered are excellent for those drivers who don’t spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
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