Become a member at to find out how each vehicle we purchase performs in our tests.
This week, we share our first impressions of the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e. The RZ is the first battery-electric vehicle from Lexus, sharing a platform with the Toyota bz4X. We discuss everything from styling, range, livability and if the RZ has enough EV traits that buyers are looking for. Plus, we answer an audience question about EV battery replacement costs.
SHOW NOTES:
0:00 – Intro
0:18 – 2023 Lexus RZ 450e
0:57 – Lexus/Toyota EVs
1:30 – Range/charging time
4:10 – Competing EVs in the same price range
4:30 – Safety technology
7:30 – Lexus buyer experience
8:15 – Driving impressions
10:15 – Climate features
11:00 – Lexus/Subaru/Toyota family of EVs
12:08 – Pedestrian safety features
14:11 – Visibility
15:27 – Driver display
16:10 – Lexus RZ pricing
17:13 – Steering yoke
18:33 – Question: How much should it cost to replace an EV battery?
—
LINKS:
All-New 2023 Lexus RZ 450e Is a Disappointing First EV Effort:
First Drive: 2023 Toyota bz4X EV Impresses on the Road:
2023 Subaru Solterra EV Charges to Production with Up to 228 Miles of Range:
How to Decide If a Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, or Fully Electric Car Is Right for You:
Follow Us on Social:
TikTok:
Instagram:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Pinterest:
An expensive electric golf cart except the golf cart has a bigger range and charges faster.
Oh new intro, I love it
New intro viz and music is a nice change. Feels made for the show
I’m impressed that Lexus managed to replace their whale face grill design with something both less distinct yet even more repulsive!
Agreed. I was on the Lexus lot recently looking at a used Genesis. The salesperson asked why I wouldn’t consider Lexus. Told her I own two Lexus vehicles before, but I just couldn’t buy a car that looks like a big fish that’s going to run me down and eat me.
@TheLifetraveler1 Silly people don’t usually buy Lexus so no big surprise here, sounds like made-up nonsense! lol
It’s a Lexus, that is NOT made for road trips 🙄
I agree with Toyota? Wanted a hybrid sedan for my next car. But rented a Tesla model 3 from Hertz this weekend for a roundtrip from ATL to SAV, about 500 miles. Loved-blistering acceleration, excellent seats and handling.
Hated having to stop in strange places (4 times driving down and 3 times coming back) for 20+ minutes as other Tesla drivers came in and out, to top it off for fear of dropping below 50% power.
All the control in the screens and not being able to find cruise control (duh, it’s the gear selector, I found out by accident), not sure if it was locked unless I saw the outside mirrors fold. Too much! Convinced me I would never buy an electric.
Sounds more like “don’t buy a Tesla”. Electric cars from Hyundai/Kia, VW/Audi and Ford don’t put all the controls on a screen, they still have buttons.
It also seems like you did the exact opposite that most people would do: You rented an all electric vehicle for a road trip when most who are worried about range would leave the electric at home and rent a gas powered vehicle.
Was your Model 3 not a long range version? You could have made the entire trip with one stop on the way to charge and one stop on the way back to charge (starting with a fully charged car and leaving a comfortable amount of spare capacity, you could get 750 miles with a long range model 3 charging 2 times). Given that it is a 4hr drive, seems completely reasonable to stop somewhere for lunch along the way and let the car fully charge at a supercharger.
How often do you drive 300 miles per day?
So you head out from ATL along I-16, hit the Tesla charger in Metter GA (185 miles from Atlanta). 64 miles to SAV. Then you go the charger in Macon GA on the way back (171 miles from Savannah). Should be relatively stress free with plenty of spare battery capacity each time you stop if you are in a Model 3 LR.
❤ Thanks TC ❤. Q:Do car companies ever take into account the changes they make might make people with disabilities use of the vehicle so much more difficult? Thx. Talking Cars!”
Per wham bam tesla cam it does seem that people do tend to unplug chargers.
New intro. Don’t love it.
Toyota’s vested interest in hybrids is severely damaging the EV sector. The ostensible objections are preposterous. Always thought this company knew how to lead. Amazing, the power of hubris… While Musk is loathsome, my Tesla Model 3LR is still light years ahead of any Toyota in the EV space.
Lol enjoy your Tesla. I am happy with my gasoline power car.. Only way I get an electric is when the epa comes to me with long gun and 20 plus agents to consficate my car 😂😁😁😁😁😁
1:06 Correction Gabe, the truth about “THEIR” underperforming half-assed electric vehicles.
My friend just had his 2014 Ford Focus EV battery changed under warranty (barely)
Replacing a 13-year old Leaf battery is akin to using recapped tires… a terrible idea.
Love this new intro music.
How many people taking evs to long road trips though? It such a pain driving evs for long road trip regardless
Another $60k+ EV, ho hum. Just another battery pack with 4-wheels, not exciting or desirable. I am a fan of Toyota hybrids and have owned three. Reliable, no range anxiety, and not overpriced.
I would buy this vehicle today if it had 300+ mile range but will end up buying another Tesla. I love Tesla reliability, software and tech but I hate the fit and finish.
Ahh radiant heat near the feet is something the entire world needs in a warming planet.
I love the fact that Toyota is so innovative, I love the lower range, I love the slow performance, I love the slow charging speeds, I love that terrible looking body cladding, I love the high price for what you get. Oh and no frunk or glovbox…… i’ll keep my Tesla. Thanks.
While Tesla merely cuts off a regular steering to make a “yoke”, the Lexus is a more complex and entirely different innovation that “steers-by-wire”. That’s why it does not require hand over hand operation. I also noticed that you lump all the smaller EVs in the category without taking into consideration size. The Lexus has the roomiest trunk which might be important the some. In regards to range, I just watched another podcast where the said that range/charging limits on the RZ is designed to reduce battery charge reduction over time therefore making for a more reliable longer lasting battery. Finally, no electric car will come without range anxiety especially if you constantly take long trips. An EV may just not be the right vehicle for everyone no matter the range. So if that’s all that’s important to you, then you do have other choices. Just be aware that the stated battery range when new, might fall more dramatically over time than this RZ.