Lexus RZ450e (2023) Review

TO BE honest I nearly left it at home.

Fully charged the new Lexus RZ450e showed a range of 220 miles. Was that going to be enough for a genealogy foray into deepest, darkest Yorkshire?

It’s only because I’m enjoying  driving the new fully electric SUV that I decide to take the risk – and it proves to be the right decision.

Many electric vehicles lull you into a false sense of security with their overly optimistic range readouts. I’ve had a few that start close to 300 miles only to plummet once you are under way. In one case the school run of 60 miles used more than 100 miles of charge so I learned not to trust the trip computer.

To Lexus’ credit 220 miles means 220 miles and the first 50 miles driven uses, guess what, 50 miles. This gives you instant confidence in the Lexus’ ability to get you there and back where ever there may be.

The other issue gnawing away in the back of my mind is whether rural North Yorkshire will have any chargers. So I’m delighted to discover that there are half a dozen in the public car park in Malton just around the corner from the hotel. The hotel has a charger too but it’s a Tesla and they seldom work unless you drive a Tesla.

All good so far until I plug in…and nothing happens. So I change charger – still nothing – and I’m on the fourth unit before the Lexus decided to take a charge. It does this at another charging station too, fourth time lucky again, so goodness knows what’s happening there.

It is a bugbear of this latest technology. At a very impressive charging station in York I hear a mature driver screaming expletives because his BMW won’t talk to the charger. Several F-ings and blind-ings later he stomps off towards the park and ride for a bus ride into the city centre. I can guarantee that he hasn’t spotted the small print that says if you stay on the charger for more than 90 minutes you will be charged £10 and hour – ouch!

RZ is brand new and has been designed from the ground up as a BEV rather than starting as an internal combustion unit which is then adapted for EV, like the UX.

It’s fab. It looks smart, typical of the brand, and is finished off with lovely large 20in alloys. I like the Lexus family because they have a certain unique look and it is very modern and oozes quality. The interior is the same, very modern, easy to understand, comfortable and superbly built like only Lexus seem to manage. You know it will never let you down, that you will never have to be recovered, which you can’t say of all luxury brands.

The interior ambiance is perfect for long journeys. It is light, tactile and the Mark Levison hi-fi is a joy to listen to. You never tire of the RZ no matter how long you are behind the wheel.

Electric motors on both axles make the RZ a 4x4 by default and the combined power of 309hp gives it electrifying performance – pun intended – with a sprint time of 5.3 seconds to 62mph and real lift in the mid-range for safe overtakes. Sharp steering, brilliant suspension and impressive body control make the RZ a fantastic drive.
Heading home from a successful trip to the past I’m so pleased we took the Lexus RZ because it did a fine job of ferrying us there and back with minimal anxiety and disruption. It’s such an endearing car that you simply take all the charging malarky into your stride and it’s worth it to be driving a truly great vehicle.

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