Is the Lexus RZ450e Too Expensive, or Just Right?
By Brett Foote

A bit more than some of its competitors.

 

Too expensive. Not enough range RX500h makes more sense and is easier to live with as there is no need to charge. IMO of course

 

Agree. Way overpriced for what you get, especially since there is nothing that sets this EV apart from others, including mainstream EV's.

 

I think the price is right but the vehicle is wrong. Meaning, I'd consider buying a $60k Lexus BEV crossover if it was competitive. But even for $10k less, I think I'd find this particular vehicle lacking. Looks good, though.

 

Compared to NX hybrid and plug-in, the price of RZ is about right.
However, it should have a bigger battery pack for lot more range, and it should be RWD-based with upper and lower wishbone suspension at both ends.

 

That's exactly it. There's nothing that really stands out other than the badge. I really wanted to like it, but everything we know about it seems rather ho hum at best. Maybe the driving dynamics might be great, but it looks like it might be going the way of the less popular Lexus's like the RC350 and HS250.

Edit: I'm a little cranky that they didn't put the base price under the 60k CAD limit to qualify for the Canadian EV rebate, similar to say, the Audi Q4 or Volvo XC40.

 

I think its way underpriced if we consider other EV's like the Tesla Model X.

Lexus has a better design and a long standing reputation.

 

Doesn't compete with the X. It competes with the Y and the Y provides ~300 miles of range and a sub 5 0-60 for less money.

 

without the $7.5k rebate, no thanks

 

I think the price is spot on. These buyers are going to have another car in the family for trips and will have home charging, more or less negating the abysmal range.
If you're going to drive a $50k RX to commute, get groceries, and take kids to activities, why not swap it for a $60k RZ? It's faster, has all the same features you like in the RX, you'll make up a chunk of the price difference on fuel cost, and you don't have to actually go get gas anymore.

 

Yea but the Lexus looks better and has a better reputation and has actual dealerships.

 

Tesla aside, it's priced around the same as the Genesis GV60 and Audi Q4 so it's not surprising for its segment. The problem is that it is inferior to every single other option in this segment as an EV, 196 miles of range is simply a joke for something made in 2023 with a 70+ kWh battery.

Of course, I'm sure that like with the BZ4X it's based on, Lexus will sell every single one they make because they'll barely be able to make any.

 

Looks are subjective, lack of 'dealerships' is a feature not a bug, and the wheels literally fell off the Toyobaru EV twins which led to recalls.

 

I spend more time in the actual cars than at dealerships or with their reputations lol.

The RZ has to be one of the least competitive EVs to come out to date. There is not a single impressive thing about the RZ except for the steer by wire system and yoke, in my opinion.

 

Are looks really subjective though? Compare the RZ to a Ford focus and get a mass survey asking which one looks "better".

Dealerships are a big deal because its the point or venue at which as customer experiences their vehicle before taking ownership and its a point where they can go to maintain their vehicles. Heated seats are a feauture, not dealership networks costing hundreds of millions of dollars. I believe Tesla don't have dealerships not because they could, but because they coudln't because of funding.