Lexus RZ 450e: price and range of the electric SUV with aircraft-style steering wheel

It may seem unfair that for many people, the new Lexus RZ 450e is better known for its aircraft-style steering wheel than for its design, the technology it contains or the fact that it is the first Lexus car developed from scratch to use only electric propulsion. But it cannot be denied that the steering wheel associated with the by-wire steering of the Lexus RZ 450e makes an impression. We still need to test it on the road. But in a first static contact, on the occasion of the announcement of the RX 450e prices for the Spanish market, the truth is that we liked it a lot. The steering wheel… and the car in general.

Before detailing what is truly new, the prices and the equipment, I will tell you in a bit more detail about what caught my attention most about this new electric SUV, which sits in the Japanese brand’s range between the Lexus NX and the Lexus RX, both in size and price; although in terms of presence and bearing, in person I can assure you the car gives the feeling of being closer to an RX.

The first Lexus designed to be electric

Unlike the Lexus UX 300e, which was the brand’s first electric car but is also offered in hybrid versions with a combustion engine, the RZ 450e was developed from the start as a vehicle with purely electric propulsion. The modular platform is shared with the Toyota bZ4x and with the Subaru Solterra, although Lexus has specifically developed for the RX 450e the suspensions and the optional steering system called One Motion Grip, which I will talk about a little later.

All versions of the RZ 450e have all-wheel drive called Direct4, thanks to the use of two electric motors, one of 150 kW on the front axle and another with 80 kW on the rear, for a total system power of 230 kW (313 CV). The battery, at 355 volts and with a total capacity of 71.4 kWh, allows a range of 440 km to be announced. Lexus boasts a very low consumption of 16.8 kWh/100 km, which means around 15-20% less than its direct competitors. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 5.6 seconds. The top speed is limited to 160 km/h.

One of the most notable features of the RZ 450e is that the brand guarantees that the battery retains at least 90% of its capacity for 10 years or 1 million kilometres. The fine print will have to be read carefully, since the norm for new-generation electric cars is battery warranties of 8 years or 160,000 km… and guaranteeing up to 70% of their capacity. Without a doubt, a reassuring factor, as long as it only requires following the maintenance schedule established by the brand, naturally, in its own network of official service centres.

As for the maximum charging power, it accepts up to 11 kW with alternating current (around 6.5 hours for a full charge), or up to 150 kW with direct current, which allows going from 0 to 80% charge in half an hour.

The One Motion Grip steering

As you can see in the images, the Lexus RZ 450e comes as standard with a round steering wheel, associated with a conventional steering system. As an option the One Motion Grip system is offered -I’ll tell you about its price at the end-, in which there is no mechanical connection between the steering rack and the steering wheel; instead, the commands on the steering wheel are transmitted to the wheels electronically or “by-wire”.

The key to this steering system is that it allows a variable steering ratio depending on the driving situation at each moment. This makes it possible for us to barely have to turn the steering wheel less than half a turn for the wheels to turn fully to that side. Less than one turn of steering lock-to-lock is far less than half of what the more direct steering systems require, such as that of the new Mégane E-Tech (which is conventional, not by-wire); normally in a standard car, for the wheels to turn fully from one side to the other we need around 2.5 turns of the steering wheel.

And the first consequence of a steering system that allows the wheels to turn so much while moving the steering wheel so little is that it doesn’t need to be round, since you won’t have to “paddle” it. The truth is I’m already eager to try it. So far I have only been able to get acquainted with this system on a pre-production unit of the RZ 450e, with the motor connected, but without being able to set off. The first thing that surprises you is how clear the instrument panel is; at first it even gives the impression that something is missing…. The second, the good feel of the “rim”, if you want to call it that. And the third, that you really notice how the wheels reach the stop… and you haven’t turned the steering wheel even half a turn.

At the position of maximum turn you find your hand gripping the steering wheel at the angle of vision, just in front of the instrumentation. I don’t think it will be a problem when driving, since it will be a position that only occurs occasionally, in some manoeuvre.

Interior of the Lexus RZ 450e: a very car-like SUV

Two other things that surprised me about the Lexus RZ 450e are the driving position and the multimedia screen. The first, because despite being an SUV you don’t sit especially high, and the posture is very “car-like”. The second, although it is the system debuted in the latest update of the Lexus NX, with its 14 inches it takes on a special prominence here, especially in versions with the “rectangular” steering wheel.

There is no conventional glovebox, beyond the handy compartment under the central armrest, with a lid that opens hinged on both sides. And for its 4.81 metres in length, the interior space is very good, with a “small problem” that is common to many electric cars, but a bit more so in this Lexus, in which the seats sit very low relative to a floor that is high, because the battery is underneath. This means that in the rear seats, the knees sit higher relative to the hips than in other SUVs, which can be uncomfortable on long journeys. The boot has very regular shapes, and its capacity, still pending homologation, will be around 550 litres.

As special details, the RZ 450e offers radiant heating for added comfort, a noise-cancelling system, and a split panoramic roof that can be darkened at will to reduce solar radiation.

Range and prices for Spain of the Lexus RZ 450e

The RZ 450e range for Spain is configured on the basis of three trim levels, called Business, Executive and Luxury. All include the Lexus Relax service, which extends the warranty up to 10 years. These are the list prices:

• RZ 450e Business: 73,000 euros
• RZ 450e Executive: 78,500 euros
• RX 450e Luxury: 85,400 euros

The Business versions already come as standard with, among other elements, 18-inch wheels, bi-LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, smart key, the Lexus Link pro multimedia system with a 14-inch screen, navigation and metallic paint. Optionally, from the second trim level -Executive- the One Motion Grip can be fitted, which for 4,200 euros includes, in addition to the by-wire steering with the aircraft-style steering wheel, specific design wheels, head-up display instrumentation projected onto the windscreen, and heated steering wheel and seats. The price of the One Motion Grip steering for the Luxury versions, in which practically all the remaining equipment is standard, is 2,400 euros.

Only in the case of the Luxury with the One Motion Grip can you choose the two-tone bodywork, for a supplement of 600 euros. In this case the roof, but also the bonnet and its extension towards the grille, are painted in a contrasting colour.

Among the alternatives to the Lexus RZ 450e by size, power, price and concept, we find electric SUVs such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Tesla Model Y, the BMW iX3, the Audi Q4 e-tron and the Mercedes-Benz EQC.

Image gallery of the Lexus RZ 450e