Lexus Spices Up Its Solely EV With Extra Vary, Extra Energy And Sooner Charging

The Lexus RZ, Toyota’s luxurious division’s solely electrical automobile (EV), is already getting an intensive replace after being available on the market for under two years. Just like the Toyota bZ4X, with which it shares most of its {hardware}, the Lexus RZ has been criticized for delivering lukewarm vary, charging and environment friendly efficiency in a world of quickly altering EVs. For the 2026 mannequin yr, Lexus will attempt to mitigate these issues by a collection of enhancements. Here is the total rundown.

Lexus

Based

1989

Founder

Eiji Toyoda

Associated

2023 Toyota bZ4X Is What Occurs When A Carmaker Does not Need To Promote EVs

Non-competitive vary, sluggish charging instances and poor cold-weather efficiency stop the 2023 Toyota bZ4X from being a real menace to different EVs.

2026 Lexus RZ: A Bigger Battery And 20-% Extra Vary, The Carmaker Says

One of many new Lexus RZ’s key upgrades will probably be an all-new lithium-ion battery, offering an elevated capability of 77-kWh versus the outgoing 63.4-kWh unit. With it, Lexus guarantees vital enhancements in general vary. The automaker states that the brand new RZ will drive 20-percent additional than the mannequin it replaces in front-wheel-drive mode, with an estimated 575 km (357 mile) ranking, based on Europe’s WLTP evaluations. Realistically, we might anticipate one thing across the 250-mile determine as soon as the EPA will get its arms on it. Lexus says the all-wheel-drive mannequin’s vary will enhance 14-percent, with an estimated determine of 500 km (311 miles), nonetheless below WLTP evaluations.

Lexus additionally claims a brand new onboard charger, for stage 2 residence charging, will enhance charging instances by half-hour, however the automaker did not specify any technical particulars in regards to the fee at which the brand new RZ will cost, each on stage 2 and DC fast-charging models. The 2026 RZ can be nonetheless operating on the CCS2 protocol by default, and never Tesla’s North American Charging Commonplace (NACS). Lexus additionally made no point out of NACS within the 2026 RZ’s press launch. For reference, the present Lexus RZ is provided with a 6.6-kW onboard charger, and may fast-charge on the fee of 150 kW, underwhelming numbers on the earth of luxurious EVs.

Extra Energy And A New, 550e F Sport Mannequin

The upgraded battery has additionally extracted extra energy from the whole RZ lineup, together with new nomenclatures and a first-ever, high-performance RZ550e. Beginning subsequent yr, the brand new lineup will go as follows: RZ350e (FWD), RZ500e (AWD), and RS550e F Sport (AWD with extra energy). Beneath are the detailed technical specs for every model.

2026 Lexus RZ Technical Specs

Contained in the RZ, Lexus additionally introduces its first-ever steer-by-wire system by its yoke steering wheel structure. Though it’s nonetheless unclear if it will make it to our market, Lexus says the system – which works very equally to the Tesla Cybertruck‘s – will assist add maneuverability to the automobile, whereas enhancing its driving really feel within the corners. Lastly, Lexus additionally introduces what it calls Guide Drive, a function the carmaker says can simulate the traits of a handbook transmission with a view to ship, what it calls, a singular EV driving expertise. This expertise is just like what Hyundai at the moment presents within the IONIQ 5 N, and I am personally trying ahead to giving it a strive.

However we’ll want to attend some time nonetheless till the brand new Lexus RZ hits our roads. Lexus remains to be attempting to eliminate some 2024 models because the unchanged 2025 fashions arrive in showrooms. As I write this, each Lexus USA and Lexus Canada did not but have particulars to share about our two respective markets, however my guess is the automobile will arrive right here in direction of the top of this yr.