2023 Lexus RZ 450e: Australian pricing and specs

Lexus Australia has announced a $123,000 starting price for its first dedicated EV, the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e, ahead of its national release in May – and confirmed the controversial steering yoke is coming to Australia, just not from launch.

Two versions of the all-new battery-electric mid-size luxury SUV will be offered here initially, comprising the base RZ 450e Luxury and pricier RZ 450e Sports Luxury, which will be priced at $135,000 plus on-road costs.

Both variants are powered by a pair of electric motors – good for a combined 230kW – drawing current from a 71.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted between the axles and yielding an effective driving range of up to 470km.

Standard equipment highlights for the entry-level Luxury are predictably opulent and include ‘NuLuxe’ leather upholstery, heated eight-way power adjustable front seats, a 14-inch multimedia display, 10-speaker Panasonic audio system, DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic LED headlights and the latest suite of Lexus Connected Services.

Spend the extra $12,000 on the Sports Luxury and you’ll also get upgraded 20-inch alloy wheels, acoustic glass, dynamic auto-levelling headlights with cornering function, Ultrasuede upholstery, heated outer rear and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, radiant heating system, three-position memory function for the driver’s seat, touch-sensitive steering wheel controls, head-up display, adaptive high-beam, intelligent park assist, a dimming panoramic roof and 13-speaker Mark Levison premium sound system.

Like the Toyota bZ4X on which it’s based, both RZ variants ride on the bespoke e-TNGA chassis architecture and feature Lexus’ proprietary DIRECT4 hybrid and EV all-wheel drive system, which is said to adjust the torque bias between the motors in a matter of milliseconds depending on vehicle speed, steering angle and g-force.

Arguably less advanced is the 355V voltage of the RZ 450e’s battery, which facilitates maximum charging power of only 150kW when using a DC fast-charger (versus the Genesis GV70 Electrified’s 350kW limit – hence Lexus has been hesitant to reveal the model’s full charging capabilities.

The premium Japanese brand says the battery can be charged to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes when using DC power, however, it doesn’t provide a starting percentage for that claim.

Lexus says the RZ can be charged to 80 per cent at home using a three-phase wallbox in “around six-and-a-half hours” but, again, a starting charge percentage isn’t given.

Lexus Australia chief executive John Pappas said the RZ 450e is a “milestone vehicle” for the brand and was designed to “reinvent the Lexus Driving Signature” with its zero-emission powertrain.

“It is not a vehicle that simply adopts battery electric power in place of a conventional engine.

“It goes much further to realise the exciting potential of new technologies that enhance performance and driving pleasure.”

As for the steering yoke, a Lexus Australia spokesperson said the Tesla-style innovation would become available in the RZ locally at some stage after its national launch, but a specifical timeframe hasn’t been communicated.

“Further details will be made available closer to the system’s introduction,” they said.

How much does the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e cost?
Luxury – $123,000
Sports Luxury – $135,000
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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