2023 Lexus RZ450e Review

Electric crossovers are gaining hype for offering the advantages associated with EVs and crossovers.

The former means that they’re more efficient and are great for the environment while the latter means that they’re practical and comfortable.

No one understands this more than the geniuses at Lexus as they pretty much pioneered the luxury crossover class.

Hence the company has launched the all-new 2023 RZ – a premium electric crossover SUV. The following is a look at its highlights:

Features

The Lexus RZ is currently in its first year of production. It offers two trim levels and a single electric power train. The RZ makes history as it is the first ever all-electric Lexus.

Powertrain and Numbers

The Lexus RZ 2023 comes with a pair of electric motors and a 63.4 kWh battery pack. The total system power output is 308 horsepower and 320 pound-feet.

It is sent to an all-wheel drive system that results in an acceleration time from 0 to 62 mph of almost 4.5 seconds.

The testers at The Drive stated that the RZ “had a nice initial shove and was amply quick.” and those at Road and Track said that its “powertrain prioritizes smoothness.”

Then you have fuel economy, which is 115 MPGe in the city and 98 MPGe on the highway according to the EPA.

The total range of this vehicle adds up to 220 miles of all-electric goodness. Note that all these fuel-related figures are achieved on standard 18-inch alloys.

As far as charging is concerned, any level will do. But the ideal results are achieved under Level 3 DC Charging – 3 miles of range per minute are added.

Interior and Technology

The interior is one of the high points of any Lexus and the new RZ 2023 is a testament to this. Reviewers love how spectacular it looks and the choice of high-end materials used in it.

Motor1 said: “The design is great, especially since the cabin is rendered in such pleasant materials.” and Kelley Blue Book described its “materials [as] suitably plush.”

Meanwhile, the experts at Edmunds were more appreciative of the astounding build quality, calling the cabin “refined to its core,”.

But of course, no crossover vehicle is complete without a spacious trunk and Lexus doesn’t disappoint here. The trunk space is one of the best in the class.

It can handle 23.7 cubic feet of cargo, going up to 55.6 cubes with the rear seats folded.

But it is not just spacious, it’s also quite practical when it comes to loading. Cars.com noted that: “Cargo space is also ample, and the RZ’s low load floor and wide opening make loading easy.”

And yes, both the trim levels offer a power rear door with a kick sensor in case you have your hands full.

With that out of the way, let’s look at the standard offerings on the 2023 RZ450e’s trims:

2023 RZ450e Premium
The first trim here lives up to its nametag and it gets you high-end NuLuxe interior trimmings.

You also receive niceties such as dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, single-colored ambient lighting, and a heated steering wheel.

The front seats are 8-way power-adjustable and are heated and ventilated as well. There are memory settings for the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and side mirrors.

A 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 10-speaker stereo, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also included. The same goes for wireless phone charging.

Automated emergency braking (with pedestrian detection), lane-departure warning (with lane-keeping assist), and adaptive cruise control are some of the safety features.

Other safety features include blind-spot monitoring (with rear cross-traffic alerts), a backup camera, a panoramic view monitor, and parking assists (with automatic braking).

2023 RZ450e Luxury
The 2023 RZ Luxury takes things even further with add-ons like ultrasuede and Tsuyasumi interior trims.

Also included are multi-color ambient lighting, a radiant front knee heater, heated outboard rear seats, and acoustic glass.

You now also get a high-end 13-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, a 10-inch head-up display, traffic jam assist, and front cross-traffic alerts.

Exterior and Driving

The new Lexus RZ 2023 oozes style and modernity and looks like the sharpest crossover on the block – because it is.

Some salient features include bi-LED headlamps, auto-dimming side mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a panoramic glass roof.

The Premium features 18-inch dark gray metallic wheels while the Luxury comes with 20-inch black alloys. Both feature machined finishes.

The exterior colors on the 2023 RZ450 are Ether, Iridium, Cloudburst Gray, Eminent White Pearl, Caviar, and Ether or Cloudburst Gray with Black Onyx.

The 2023 RZ should also be thrilling to drive as it is a calm and composed vehicle but with snippy acceleration.

US News described it best as a vehicle with “spry acceleration and polished driving dynamics,”.

Reliability and Warranty

Neither JD Power nor Consumer Reports has rated the 2023 Lexus RZ for its predicted reliability yet as it is a new car.

However, those who have purchased it have good things to say about its dependability.

You also get several warranties in case any trouble arises.

There’s the limited warranty for 4 years or 50k miles, the powertrain warranty for 6 years or 70k miles, and the electric components warranty of 8 years or 100k miles.

Lexus is also one of the few to offer complimentary maintenance for 1 year or 10k miles.

Verdict

The Lexus RZ 2023 should be another success story from Lexus. The company has outdone themselves and all their competitors despite this being their first EV.

The new Lexus RZ combines everything a Lexus crossover is known for – luxury, capability, and reliability – with a carbon-free all-electric powertrain and a respectable range.

The driving prowess is incredible from its acceleration to its handling.

Even more importantly, it is a good-looking and comfortable vehicle that offers everything possible in terms of convenience and safety on its list of standard features.

To get a 2023 Lexus RZ450e in Mason, Morrow, and Loveland, check out Performance Lexus here.