The RX 450e welcomes you to the premium league

Lexus has joined the ranks of the luxury electric SUV brands with the launch of the highly anticipated RZ 450e. It shares the e-TNGA platform with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, and having driven both we knew what to expect. However, what Lexus does so well is to make its cars ‘premium’ – and the electric RZ does this in spades. Andrew Walker checks it out.

The RZ EV spec is pretty straightforward. You add more goodies as you climb up through the ‘Packs’: Premium Pack, Premium Pack with 20” Wheels, Premium Plus Pack, Premium Plus Pack with Bi-Tone Finish and finally, the model we were driving, the range topping Takumi. Prices range from £64,500 to £74,000.

The RZ adopts an AWD drivetrain with a total power output of 230kW; 150Kw from the front motor and 80kW from the rear motor. With 309bhp and 435Nm of torque, performance is available with a 0-62mph time of just 5.3-seconds. The 71.4kW battery, 64kWh is usable, is located beneath the cabin and comes with a range of 245 miles.

RZ 450e can be DC charged using a CCS charger at 150kW and comes with an 11kW AC On Board Charger allowing faster AC charging where available. This means that the RZ will charge from 0-80% in 25 minutes, giving you about a 195 miles range. Charge at home on a 7.5kW home charger and you’re looking at 11 hours to 100%. We also strongly suggest that you fit a home charger and plug in overnight for cheap electricity. We recommend Rolec ; http://www.rolecserv.com/homecharging

It goes without saying that all Lexus come very well equipped and you may not need to look past entry Premium Pack to get what you want. It comes with a 14″ touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated electric leather seats, wireless phone charging, keyless go, a panoramic sun roof, all around parking sensors, a powered tailgate, dual-zone climate control and a 10-speaker sound system.

The RZ includes the third generation Lexus Safety System +, so features include an advanced pre-collision system including intersection assistance and Emergency Steering Assist, Front Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with four distance settings, curve speed assistance function and enhanced co-operation with the Road Sign Assist functionality, Lane Trace Assist and a Driver Monitor to check driver behaviours for signs of fatigue or distraction.

You can see the bare bones of Toyota’s BZ4X in the shape of the RZ e but that’s all. Lexus has rounded off each side and corner and have finished the electric car with the shape of a normal RX, with slim LED headlights and the familiar Lexus spindle grille. At the rear, there’s now a full-width tail-light and overall the cars shape and lines are pleasing to the eye.

Like all Lexus models, the inside has been put together brilliantly. Top quality finishes adorn every surface and arguably Lexus builds the best quality interiors of any premium brand. The dash and cabin feel less cluttered than some rivals and the overall ambience is of calm and relaxation.

Lexus’s newish operating system will be familiar to some, the highlight being the 14″ touchscreen. While getting to know the minute intricacies of car menus always takes time, the simple things such as connecting an iPhone wirelessly were simple and easy to perform. Plus there’s 3x C USBs at the front.

Front and rear seat passengers have decent head and leg room. You also get a large glovebox, five USBs, large door front bins, twin cup holders, a massive cubby under the armrest and space for your phone with wireless charging. Rear passengers also have a quality fold down armrest with storage space within and two cup holders.

There is seat back storage and on Takumi, rear passengers also get their own climate and heated seat controls. Three adults will sit side by side in the back in plenty of comfort as well, thanks to the flat rear floor.

Boot space comes in at 522 litres, with the flat floor making loading or unloading nice and easy. The floor also lifts at the front to allow storage of up to two charging cables.

We popped along to our local dealer Lexus Stockport to borrow the RZ for a couple of hours.

First off, an urban drive showed us just how quiet the RZ is and also how you can utilise the on-board brake regeneration via the steering wheel paddles. There are four settings, with each adding just a little more force it the cars regen-system. It’s really very good and in the highest setting allows for almost one-pedal driving.

Trundling around town the RZ takes everything in its stride. Despite the heavy 71kWh battery it handles road imperfections and speed bumps with aplomb. It’s also nice to drive, with light steering, especially useful when reversing or doing a three-point turn. Add in the excellent dashboard reversing camera and for a large car it’s very easy to manoeuvre and to park.

We wirelessly connected our iPhone to Apple CarPlay before we departed and were able to use Apple Maps and listen to a podcast via the phone. Lexus’s own SatNav is one of the better ones out there but familiarity with the Apple system means we prefer to switch where we can.

Takumi features Mark Levinson Audio which was splendid. And when we stopped to take pics, we opened the boot by using the kick sensor. The suede/leather upholstery was lovely and stayed cool in the heat.

Take the RX onto the motorway and you’ll find little to complain about. The built in radar controlled cruise control is simple to work and the plethora of third-generation Lexus Safety Systems make it one of the safest cars you can own. Push your foot down and the RZ will take off as required and comfortably get up to motorway speed and overtake slower moving vehicles. Even at high speed, cabin noise is almost non existent and it’s an incredibly calming car to be a passenger in.

Pros

All Lexus models are incredibly well built and the RZ is no exception. It’s hard to think of anything else that’s as well made in its sector. With just 2% BIK, those company car drivers lucky enough to be able to afford one will do so with a massive smile.

The official consumption figure of 3.4-3.7 miles per kWh is competitive so another plus. The spec and safety features are so good even on entry level Premium, that you won’t want for anything.

Cons

Simply put, it’s battery range. While 245 miles may seem generous, some of its many competitors are claiming up to 350 miles before the need to plug-in.

And the car’s rapid-charging rates of 150kW is also beaten by others.

Conclusion

The RZ is beautifully built and as well equipped as we’ve come to expect of a Lexus. Passengers will want for nothing and the car itself looks good from every angle.

The cabin is amazingly quiet and it’s practical too.

For drivers you get plenty of power and its all delivered in a smooth electric manner. Compared to many electric cars it also does a very good job of hiding its weight taking on poorly maintained roads and coming up a winner.

For company car drives 2% BIK is a big tick as well.

Only the battery range may put some off, which is a real shame as it’s one of the most impressive all-around EV packages we’ve tried yet.

As premium as you can get, and luxury all the way. Comfortable and a great ride. Only that range goes against it – and for all that, it’s still 245 miles.

CC&V RATING: N N N N