Does The Lexus RZ Have Enough Range For Most Commuters?

The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e has compelling causes to excel within the burgeoning luxurious electrical crossover phase. For starters, Lexus designers had been capable of give the RZ a particular form, regardless of sharing its e-TNGA underpinnings with the Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X. 

It additionally has a well-equipped and nicely-appointed cabin, with loads of usable area and all of the anticipated ranges of tech; like a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, wi-fi smartphone connectivity, a 10-speaker audio system, dual-zone local weather management, heated & ventilated seats, and so on.

Unlike its Toyota and Subaru EV cousins, the Lexus RZ is peppier off the road, because of twin electrical motors (rated as much as 308 horsepower), a 71.4 kWh battery pack, and normal DIRECT4 all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. As a end result, it goes from 0-60 mph in 5 seconds — faster than its Toyota and Subaru stablemates.

However, the Lexus RZ’s underwhelming vary numbers may very well be a letdown. Lexus claims an estimated 220 miles with the usual 18-inch wheels, however upgrading to the non-obligatory 20-inch alloys (normal within the RZ 450e Luxury trim) reduces the driving vary to round 196 miles. 

In a world the place a base Tesla Model Y AWD achieves an EPA-estimated 279 miles of vary (the Long Range Model Y lasts 330 miles per full cost) at a decrease base worth, does the Lexus RZ have sufficient battery life for the common commuter?

The new Lexus RZ 450e will not be alone in its predicament. The base Nissan Ariya has fewer motors, a smaller 66 kWh battery, and 216 miles of vary, whereas the Mini Cooper SE and Mazda MX-30 are not any higher, with 110 and 100 miles per full cost, respectively. However, contemplating the common American commutes round 41 miles every day to and from work, all of the EVs talked about above may theoretically survive the every day grind with out recharging — together with the Lexus RZ 450e.

It’s not that easy, nonetheless. The entry-level Lexus RZ 450e Premium begins at round $60,000. For some folks, that sort of cash will not be price it for the 220-mile vary, conserving in thoughts that an EV just like the Tesla Model Y goes farther, is quicker, and has no scarcity of hi-tech gizmos. 

Moreover, the Lexus RZ solely helps as much as 150 kW of DC quick charging (from 0-80% in half-hour), whereas different EVs may settle for extra juice for extra speedy charging. For consumers who need the luxurious driving expertise and the panache of the Lexus badge, the RZ 450e is not going to disappoint, as long as your common every day commute can cowl round 150 miles all through the week.