Lexus and its parent company, Toyota, have been slower than many other automakers to jump into the electric vehicle (EV) fray with both feet. The RZ is Lexus’s first mainstream entry and shares much of its underlying engineering with the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra. While it has a somewhat slower charging speed than its main rivals, the RZ offers an upscale interior and a refined ride quality that many can’t match.
2024 Lexus RZ Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2024 Lexus RZ
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2024 Lexus RZ
Lexus added a new charging cable setup for 2024, including 120- and 240-volt cables. There’s also a new 300e entry-level trim.
Design
Though it shares much of its underlying engineering with the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra, the Lexus RZ is its own animal. It features the automaker’s signature “spindle” grille shape, but unlike its gas counterparts', the hybrid’s closed off. The sides are deeply sculpted, and the rear-end look is accented by wide “hips” and an LED light bar that stretches from tail light to tail light.
Powertrain
The base front-wheel-drive (FWD) Lexus RZ is powered by a single electric motor making 201 horsepower and 196 pound-feet of torque. The upgraded powertrain includes two electric motors with a combined 308 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque, plus all-wheel drive (AWD).
Unlike some EVs, the RZ and its Toyota and Subaru counterparts focus more on refined power than on all-out acceleration. The RZ offers a Lexus-trademark smooth ride and quiet interior. Though it looks the part, the RZ is more of a comfortable cruiser than a canyon carver. Its suspension keeps things tidy in the corners.
Interior
The RZ comes standard with synthetic leather upholstery, but more expensive configurations get synthetic suede. Heated front seats come by default, and ventilation is available, along with heated rear seats.
Technology
Lexus’s updated infotainment interface runs smoothly on the standard 14-inch display, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come by default. Other standard tech includes wireless charging, navigation, 10 speakers, five USB ports, Bluetooth, dual-zone climate controls, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. A 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and LED ambient interior lighting are available.
Safety
The 2024 Lexus RZ earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick, down slightly from 2023’s Top Safety Pick+ designation. That’s due in part to the IIHS’s stricter testing requirements, which include a more intense side-crash evaluation.
Standard safety tech includes forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high beams, front and rear parking sensors, intersection turning assist, and traffic-sign recognition.
Lexus also offers a head-up display, parking assist, a rear camera mirror system, and traffic jam assist as options or as standard features on higher trim levels.
Pricing and Release Date
As of this writing, the 2024 Lexus RZ starts at $55,150, which includes a $1,150 destination charge. Stepping up to the higher RZ 450e Premium trim costs $59,580, and the top RZ 450e Luxury pushes the price to $65,580.