Lexus RZ 450e: comfortable but ambitious

Paradox. While Toyota has always believed in electrificationcommunication of his vehicles putting the first hybrid model on the market in the late 1990s, the global giant has been dragging its feet when it comes to electric vehicles.

With the near secret arrival of the bZ4X, an unlikely name for the car, it enters through the back door into this market dominated globally by Tesla, Chinese manufacturers and, to a lesser extent, by the Corean people.

The RZ 450e is a Lexus version. But unlike Toyota which has only one electric model in its VP range, the RZ of ” Get to zero » which can be translated as “ to reach zero (advertisement)” is Lexus’ second electric product, after the UX 300e, whose sales however remain a myth.

Read also: Lexus NX: the advantage of the plug-in hybrid

At 4.80 m long, the RZ is 9 cm shorter than the RX, the brand’s former bestseller. It partly uses the same power train as its cousin Toyota, which is a 71.4 kWh battery and two engines. electric, placed on each axle, the architecture that makes it in fact an all-wheel drive model, called here Direct4.

Lexus RZ 450e is equipped with two electric motors. ©Lexus

This distribution”intelligent” it distributes torque and power to the axles according to the driving conditions, the management of which ensures excellent traction. But the comparison with the bZ4X stops there, because the RZ 450e is more powerful: it reaches 313 hp (230 kW) and its torque is 435 Nm. These are 100 hp more than the Toyota. This extra power translates into powerful acceleration and a delightfully sporty feel.

Uses to be reviewed

On the other hand, and this is its main weak point, the utility of the RZ 450e is very high. If the manufacturer communicates an average of 18.3 kWh/100 km, on a mixed route (road, highway and city), we could not go below 25 kWh/100 km, which is too much to consider making it a partner. for a long distance.

Because it was impossible for us have more than 300 kilometers displayed on the dashboard, while the car is authorized for 435 kilometers of autonomy. And when you turn on the ventilation, it’s even worse: suddenly you lose 50 km.

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And that’s a shame. Because the RZ 450e remains a very good car, designed to swallow kilometers and offer real driving pleasure if we put aside its speed.

Despite 2,075 kg, its behavior is reassuring and its handling is precise. Sound insulation is mastered and we see in the cabin that Lexus has taken care of small details, which has always been the strength of the brand.

Lexus has taken care of its interior with this large, powerful central screen. ©Lexus

Another quality, its housing, the shape of which RZ 450e is very generous; Rear passengers have, in fact, a lot of space, especially to stretch their legs.

But where it becomes less generous again is on its price. With a range starting at 75,600 euros, the range of possibilities for the Japanese brand is narrow. Therefore, the manufacturer shows very modest expectations, without mentioning the number.