The Lexus RZ is the posh big brother of the Toyota bZ4X (Lexus is owned by Toyota) and a premium family SUV designed to take on the big German car brands. It’s the first Lexus to be built as an electric car from the ground up meaning cabin space and technology has been optimised for zero-emission motoring.

Key highlights

Lexus has always focused on comfort, luxury and technology – and the new all-electric RZ is no different. From the outside it gets the trademark Lexus grille while a hefty 14-inch touchscreen dominates the minimalist cabin. For those wanting something a little different there’s a futuristic fighter pilot-style steering wheel – think Tesla’s yoke steering wheel only with more buttons. The wheel is actually part of a new handling system that makes manoeuvring the car easier, especially at low speeds in town. The Lexus RZ also features a cool pre-conditioning function that goes a step beyond some. Heaters at knee level combine with heated seats and steering wheel to reduce the time it takes to heat the cabin, which in turns means less impact on battery range. For families, there’s a boot of around 500 litres and cabin space is on a par with bigger SUVs.

Performance and range

The Lexus RZ has a dual motor which means it offers some impressive performance off the line. A range of over 250 miles is possible from the 71kWh battery and there’s a maximum 150kWh charging capability. The range may not seems as much as some rivals, but Lexus has developed a “Range” mode which will maximise miles by limiting power and switching off non-essential systems to ensure you reach your destination.

Tech specs

Lexus RZ

• 0-62mph: 5.6 seconds
• Top speed: 99mph
• Battery: 71kWh
• Range:  250 miles
• Max charging speed: 150kW
• Boot space: 500 litres (est)

Similar models

The Lexus RZ has a range of natural rivals. The obvious options come from the established German brands, the BMW iX3 has similar bold looks while the Audi Q4 e-tron is an impressive all-rounder and the seven-seat Mercedes-Benz EQB shouldn’t be dismissed. For something a bit more unusual, we’d also recommend the Genesis GV60 with its impressive range and charging capability.