Road tested by Hugh Maguire.
Pros:
Attractive styling.
Supremely comfortable.
Premium look and feel.
Cons:
Range still trails some rivals.
Charging speed is only average.
Not an involving driving experience.
So you have decided an EV is for you. But you are not looking for a budget entry level model. You seek something more premium. You have a budget of just under €70,000 to buy a luxury electric car. So what are your options? Should the Lexus RZ350e priced from €66,280 be on your shortlist?
If we stick rigidly to the above budget then there are a few main rivals that spring to mind at this price point namely the Volvo EX60 priced from €66,695, the Audi Q4 e-tron priced from €59,999 and the Polestar 4 priced from about €56,490. Naturally there are much cheaper options but for this review we are focusing on what are perceived to be the premium brands. Obvious comparisons will therefore be drawn with the new BMW iX3 Neue Klasse and the Mercedes EQE but they are priced from €73,925 and €78,490 respectively. That leaves us with few other choices at this exact price point. So how does the new Lexus RZ 350e fare against those rivals?
The Lexus RZ 350e is not completely new but could almost be considered a new car as there are so many technical revisions from body rigidity to suspension while also addressing the main criticisms of the original namely a poor range and poor charging performance. So have they succeeded?
First Impressions
I do like the sharp almost coupe-like lines of the Lexus 350e. The steeply raked windscreen, sweeping roofline with twin discreet rear spoilers and the two tone alloy wheels do give it an appealing style. So initial impressions are certainly of a stylish modern looking SUV.
If I could level any criticism of the Lexus it is that it looks way too similar to the Toyota BZ 4 upon which it shares most of its running gear.
So what’s it like inside?
The moment you slip inside the cabin of the Lexus it is immediately apparent that you are in a vehicle that looks and feels premium. I instantly took to the lovely design of the dashboard in particular the way Lexus have arranged the now obligatory central touchscreen. Unlike many manufactures who add it in almost as an afterthought Lexus have designed the central touchscreen to be an integral part of the dashboard. It is even angled slightly towards the driver for better ergonomics. Most of the functionality is through the screen but Lexus did include real buttons such as two rotary control knobs for cabin temperature and two climate control associated real buttons and a knob for radio volume. Thats good!
The voice activation is not class leading but manages to work for the majority of your needs. A wireless phone charging pad sits below the screen and the centre console lid is cleverly hinged on both sides allowing either the driver or front seat passenger to open it with ease. All nice touches showing that some real thought went in to the design of the interior.
There is generally decent storage space in the cabin but strangely no glovebox and that lower shelf below the centre console is too hidden and awkward to use really.
The cabin is trimmed in eco friendly upholstery which Lexus call NULuxe, it is designed to look like leather. Visually its fine but frankly just does not feel as good as the real thing particularly on the steering wheel, your main contact point with the car. Here it really it feels like your holding something made of vinyl.
The driving position is pretty much perfect giving a commanding view of the road ahead but rearward visibility is not so good. There is of course the Lexus Panoramic View Monitor which gives a 360 view of the car so that does offset the slightly compromised rearward vision.
Jumping into the rear there is plenty of leg and headroom and again feeling of quality about the car. The dual panel panoramic roof lets in a nice amount of light too making he cabin feel bright and airy.
What is under the bonnet?
The RZ350e is of course an EV and the electric motor is now powered by a larger 77kWh battery. Max power is some 224 bhp and in this version it powers the front wheels. Top speed is claimed to be 160km/h. I found overall performance to be very good. It accelerates smoothly and rapidly making for safe and easy overtaking.
Lexus make bold claims about the range claiming about 560km (WLTP) from 100% charge. However like all EV’s I have tested over the years it did not manage close to that. I started with 100% charge and an estimated range showing of 408km. With a true test combining urban, rural and motorway I achieved 397km leaving about 25km remaining. To be fair under less testing conditions I think expect a range of about 425km. Charging is faster now getting from 20% to 80% in about 25 minutes on a DC fast charger (150kW+).
So how does it drive?
Very nicely actually. The Lexus RZ350e is set up for comfort and refinement rather than a particularly involving driving experience and in that it scores very well indeed. I found it very refined, beautifully quiet and very comfortable. It handles well too despite its mass though it does not encourage press on motoring on twisty roads.
In short the Lexus RZ350e is an enjoyable car in which to travel as either a driver or passenger.
Hugh’s Verdict.
The latest Lexus RZ350e is a supremely comfortable, quiet, luxury-first electric SUV.
I like its styling despite its similarities to its much cheaper Toyota BZ 4 sibling. The RZ350e delivers in exactly what it was designed to do. It feels and looks premium, will no doubt prove totally reliable as we have come to expect from Lexus and for complete piece of mind it also now comes with an amazing 10 year or 1,000,000 kms warranty on the battery. Now that is faith in your product.
So should you shortlist the Lexus RZ 350e? Absolutely! In my opinion it will prove to be a rewarding ownership experience while delivering reliable trouble free motoring.