Lexus RZ450e Road Trip Test Produces Interesting Results

Not Holding Up

The Lexus RZ450e is a critical product for the luxury brand as its very first mass-produced, globally-available all-electric vehicle. It's sold with a 71.4-kWh battery pack and dual electric motors generating 308 horsepower, which is capable of propelling it from 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. However, there is one number associated with the new RZ that isn't exactly impressive - its EPA estimated range figures of either 196 miles or 220 miles, depending on wheel choice. Unfortunately, as Out of Spec recently discovered, those numbers don't hold up terribly well on the highway, either. 

Testing Standards

The RZ used in this test is one equipped with the optional 20-inch wheels, which means that it has the lower EPA rating of 196 miles. Our host Ryan sets out to test that figure on a road trip at speeds of 70 mph, but before he heads out on the highway, he makes sure that this is a level playing field by topping off the tires with air.

Other Settings

Ryan then takes his Lexus to a nearby charging station to ensure that it's at 100 percent and that the battery is warm, under which it can provide optimum range. He then puts the car in the most eco-friendly mode possible - which in this case is Eco - which makes it as efficient as it can be with muted throttle response.

Better Mode?

It is worth noting that the RZ comes with Range mode, but in this case, that won't do Ryan much good since that limits the top speed to 62 mph and doesn't even allow the use of air conditioning. In this case, that setting is on 68-72 degrees for comfort's sake.

Other Factors

With all of these things ready, Ryan hits the highway under gentle acceleration, and he's also careful to avoid drafting behind other vehicles, which could artificially improve range and perhaps not give us the most accurate real-world results. He also makes a loop to eliminate any potential effects from the wind or elevation.

Worst Result Yet

When the proverbial dust settles and the battery gets as close to zero as possible, Ryan crunches the numbers for us and, well, they aren't that great. He managed to get 172 miles of range out of the RZ on this highway test, which is the worst result of any vehicle tested by Out of Spec thus far, as we can see on this handy chart.

Around Town Ride

Consuming energy at a rate of 2.6 kWh on this particular journey, the RZ did manage to beat out the Rivian R1T and R1S, the Ford F-150 Lightning, and the Hummer EV in that regard, but those are all big and heavy, inefficient SUVs or trucks. Thus, the RZ is more of an around-town commuter than something one might want to take on longer trips, but in all fairness, we can say the same about most EVs in this day and age - battery technology just isn't quite where we need it to be yet, but we're certainly. getting there.

>>Join the conversation about the RZ450e right here at ClubLexus.com.

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