Video: 2023 Lexus RZ 450e Review: Likable in Many Ways, But Not All of Them

It's based on Toyota's own first EV, the BZ4X but has a different motor setup, vastly different styling and is larger. It slots between the NX and RX in Lexus's SUV lineup and overall is an excellent first EV. With little to none of the quirkiness that plagues other EVs, the RZ balances innovation and comfort from its driving experience and usability but it's not all perfect and less range than key competitors is a problem. Here are three things that I like about the new RZ and three things that I don't. (upbeat music) First, it gets high scores in the going and stopping departments. It's really zippy. Power feels almost immediate from a stop and delivery is smooth. Two electric motors make a combined 308 horsepower and it also uses a 71.4 kilowatt hour battery pack. All-wheel drive is standard. Braking is also smooth, which is something some EVs struggle with. Like other Evs, it has a regenerative braking system that helps capture kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost but I could barely tell because the system is subtle and the brakes feel natural and not lurchy like in some EVs. While I like the brakes, I wish it had a one pedal setup. Some EVs have a one pedal setup that allows the accelerator pedal to control forward speed and braking, which is a handy feature that I like to use in traffic. This car's braking system is adjustable using the paddle shifters to dial up the strength, but I wish it did have that one pedal instead. Composed road manners are another highlight. With athleticism you wouldn't expect from an SUV this size, the RZ feels agile around corners and has a direct connected steering field that really adds to its composed character. Ride can be a mixed bag, however. On the standard 18 inch wheels and tires, the ride is serene with ample isolation from bumps. It also comes with larger 20 inch wheels and tires, avoid them. The twenties feel rowdier and translate too much of the road through the body for a more unsettled ride. The cabin is another high point. The RZ's interior is lovely. Everything feels well put together and the look is minimalist without being boring. The overall effect is modern, classy and really open and airy. And there's a couple of neat touches that I really like, like the standard panoramic glass roof. It doesn't have a screen but there's an available system that takes it from clear to opaque with the push of a button. Also neat, is a light as trim element. Instead of the wood or metal paneling you see in traditional luxury vehicles, the shadow illumination system projects light and patterns onto the front door panels. It was difficult to see in the daytime, however. So what needs work? First, it has less range than some competitors. On models with the 18 inch wheels, the RZ has an estimated 220 miles of range, that dips to 196 miles with the 20 inch wheels. It's range falls short of a key competitor. A base Tesla Model Y has an EPA estimated range of 279 miles. Another competitor, the Audi E-tron, gets 226 miles of range. Second, it has longer level two charge times than some competitors. It lags in terms of its level two charging rate, which matters for home charging and lower powered public charging. The RZ's onboard charger is rated at 6.6 kilowatts which is on the low side and means a full charge from empty at a level two charger takes about 9.5 hours. The Model Y by comparison, has an 11.5 kilowatt onboard charger and shorter charge times. Lastly, the RZ is likable, but it's expensive. It starts at around $60,000, which is well below an Audi E-tron, but also well above a base Model Y. And that price stings a little bit more because it's not currently eligible for the federal tax credit, which is $7,500 and it most likely won't be because it's made in Japan. In the recently overhauled and ever-changing tax credit program, vehicles need to be assembled in North America in order to qualify. The Model Y is assembled in North America and is currently eligible for now. This lowers its price considerably. While the positives of the RZ are numerous and significant, it's hard to overlook some key numbers, range, charge times, and price. Lexus has a goal of zero emissions from its vehicles by 2035 and the RZ signals the future is bright for its further offerings. It just needs to work out a couple of things. For more about the RZ, what I like, what I don't, head to cars.com for my full review.