2022 Lexus RZ (EV)

Lexus RZ (2025) Price & Specs

The new Lexus RZ will soon launch as Toyota South Africa Motors’ first fully electric model. Here’s how much this 230 kW battery-powered crossover will cost you…

Toyota South Africa Motors is finally set to join the local fully electric segment with the imminent launch of the Lexus RZ. And we’ve managed to lay our paws on pricing ahead of this battery-powered crossover’s official market debut.

Yes, thanks to the ever-helpful vehicle-information specialists over at duoporta.com, we can confirm the following pricing for the 2 derivatives that are set to comprise the local Lexus RZ line-up: the RZ 450e EX will start at R1 583 100 and the RZ 450e SE will kick off at R1 756 600.

According to information we separately dug up, the higher-spec SE variant will launch first, with the EX expected to follow late in February 2025. From what we understand, only a “handful of units” have been allocated to South Africa owing to “limited global volume supply” (this model was, after all, initially scheduled to launch locally in 2024 after being revealed globally in April 2022).

Sharing much with the Toyota bZ4X, the RZ in “450e” guise features “e-axles” fore and aft, each comprising a motor, gearing and power control unit. This arrangement results in peak system outputs of 230 kW (150 kW from the front motor and 80 kW from the rear item) and 435 Nm, allowing a 0-100 kph sprint in 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 160 kph, according to the Japanese automaker.

How much does the Lexus RZ cost in South Africa?

Lexus RZ 450e EX – R1 583 100

Lexus RZ 450e SE – R1 756 600

The new RZ is covered by a 7-year/105 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan with the same parameters. The battery pack, meanwhile, features a separate 8-year/160 000 km warranty.

 
The electric 402bhp Lexus RZ is here with steer-by-wire and fake manual gearshifts

Ready your finest Fast & Furious moves, Lexus has given its e-SUV pretend gears

Prepare to be thoroughly whelmed. This is the new Lexus RZ electric SUV, and yes, you read right, it comes with paddle shifts to mimic a traditional eight-speed transmission. It deploys stuff like real-time feedback through throttle responses and artificial engine sounds, with a rev limiter in place to try and up the authenticity value. Reckon this is a guinea pig project for a forthcoming, manually-driven LFA successor? One can only hope.

The Manual Drive is one of two key tech breakthroughs for Lexus in one volt-driven swing, with the other being steer-by-wire, um, steering. Toyota’s luxury arm has been teasing it for a while now, so it’ll be interesting to see just how a lack of physical connection between the driver and the axle could pay off.

If you want the gearshifts, you’ll need to opt for the range-topping ‘550e F Sport’ with 402bhp - almost 100 more than its predecessor. The alternatives are the 375bhp ‘500e’ or the 221bhp ‘350e’. Regardless of which you go for, there’s a bigger 77kWh battery replacing the old 71.4kWh unit. By cramming in more cells, Lexus has managed to find an extra 60 miles of range, which should pin the new boy’s return at between 310 and 330 miles depending on the spec.

A new pre-conditioning system also means around 30 minutes is cut from the home charge time if using the provided 22kW onboard plug. The previous 30-minute 10-80 per cent top-up at a public DC fast charger is said to be shorter now too, but Lexus hasn't said by how much.

 
Lexus refreshes RZ with more power, range, steer-by-wire and fake gear shifts

Lexus is refreshing its solo electric offering for the new model year. The 2025 RZ is bringing a blend of advanced technology and a touch of traditional driving feel. The updated RZ, while retaining its familiar look, introduces significant changes, most notably a steer-by-wire system and simulated gear shifts. The European market will see three trims: the RZ 350e, RZ 500e, and the new RZ 550e F Sport, each offering distinct performance levels.

The base model, the RZ 350e, features a single front-mounted electric motor producing 224 horsepower (167 kW) and 269 Nm of torque. All RZ models come with a 77 kWh battery, with the 350e promising an estimated range of 575 km. The RZ 500e comes with dual motors, delivering a combined 375 horsepower (280 kW) and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. Its range is estimated at 500 km.

At the top of the range sits the new RZ 550e F Sport. It pushes the performance further with 402 horsepower (300 kW) squeezed from the same powertrain found in the 500e. The extra power results in a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of just 4.4 seconds, though its range drops to 450 km. That's usually the price to pay for extra performance.

The new RZ follows its twin Toyota bZ4X in upgrading its charging speeds. The 22 kW AC charging is now standard across the range, but just like the Toyota, Lexus kept the rather mediocre 150 kW DC charging. That means 30 minutes of charging time from 10% to 80% SoC, but only in perfect conditions.

www.arenaev.com

Lexus refreshes RZ with more power, range, steer-by-wire and fake gear shifts

The 2025 Lexus RZ introduces advanced steer-by-wire and simulated gear shifts to enhance driver engagement in its electric lineup.
www.arenaev.com www.arenaev.com
 
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