Lexus RZ450e Aussie spec and pricing revealed
Lexus has announced the RZ450e battery electric luxury SUV will be priced from $123,000 plus on-road costs in Australia when it launches in May.
The RZ is the first dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV or EV) from Lexus. The UX300e is the first electric model from Toyota’s luxury brand, but shares its underpinnings with ICE siblings.
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Instead the RZ450e is a technical close relation of the Toyota bZ4X, with which it shares its e-TNGA platform and much of its drivetrain.
An updated version of the bZ4X launches in Australia in late 2023.
The RZ450e Luxury is the range starter at $123,000, while the 450e Sports Luxury will be priced from $135,000 plus on-road costs.
Both models will come with 230kW dual motor powertrain fed by a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is claimed to deliver a range up to 470km on the ADR/NEDC test cycle; expect less when tested to the more realistic WLTP cycle.
The pricing of the five-seat RZ450e pitches it against the Genesis GV70 and under electric luxury rivals such as the soon to be renamed and updated Audi e-Tron and Jaguar I-Pace.
Standard Luxury model exterior features include 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, rear spoiler, rear privacy glass and heated side mirrors and auto-dimming (on the driver’s side) with auto power folding function.
The interior includes NuLuxe leather trim, eight-way driver and front passenger power adjustable heated seats (driver’s with two-way lumbar power adjustment), 14-inch multimedia display, 10-speaker Panasonic audio with DAB, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, five USB-C ports and Qi wireless phone charger.
A suite of Lexus Connected Services is standard, along with 10 airbags and a range of safety and security features.
The RZ450e Sports Luxury adds 20-inch alloy wheels, acoustic glass, dynamic auto-levelling headlights with cornering function, two-tone exterior paint option, Ultrasuede interior trim, heated outer rear seats, ventilated driver and front passenger seats, heated steering wheel and radiant heating for front seat occupants.
Also exclusive to Sports Luxury are three-position driver seat memory, touch sensitive steering wheel controls, head up display, adaptive high beam system, intelligent park assist, dimming panoramic roof, smart key card and 13-speak Mark Levinson premium audio.
Complimentary home charging is offered to all RZ450e buyers through Lexus Encore Electrified Platinum benefits, which also includes Lexus On Demand – including the loan of other Lexus models – and complimentary Valet Parking.
The RZ450e is also set to offer steer-by-wire and yoke steering wheel system, but a launch date has yet to be confirmed.
Lexus Australia will soon also launch a plug-in hybrid version of the RX SUV.
