2023 Lexus RZ SUV Debuts as Brand's First Electric Vehicle

The 2023 Lexus RZ has debuted as the Japanese luxury brand's first fully electric vehicle (EV). With a familiar design and shape to its current SUV lineup but amped up to look even more angular and futuristic, the new Lexus RZ 450e signifies a big shift for the automaker.

Lexus' "spindle grille" has become a signature design feature for the brand, and in this new SUV, the design has been worked right into the front bumper body panels and tweaked to optimize aerodynamics.

The RZ 450e gets standard all-wheel drive and is estimated to get about 360 kilometres of driving range on a single charge. No other information on charging or EV-specific features were detailed.

Inside, Lexus is using new materials that are made with up to 30 per cent plant-based sustainable materials and it uses an efficient radiant heating system, a first for Lexus. The available greenhouse roof is dimmable and gives the cabin an open, airy feel, Lexus says.

The EV will also come standard with the brand's LSS+3.0 suite of driver assistance and safety features that includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, proactive driving assist with steering assist, pre-collision system, lane trace assist, and a system that will stop the vehicle and activate the hazard lights in an emergency situation if the driver is detected to be unresponsive. A remote parking assistant that automates parallel, front-in, and reverse parking will also be available.

The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e is expected to go on sale nearing the end of 2022. Numbers regarding charging and more information will be revealed closer to its launch.