Say hello to…
…the Lexus RZ450e, a fully electric large SUV based on the, slightly smaller, Toyota BZ4X. The two share the same 64kWh useable battery, however the Lexus is currently only available in all-wheel drive from and has a more powerful motor at 308hp.
The RZ450e is available in three trim levels.
- Premium
- Premium Plus
- Takumi
Standard kit on the Premium model includes 18-inch alloys, synthetic leather upholstery, powered front seats, 14-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, wireless charging, dual zone aircon, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot warning, drive modes, 4x USB sockets, keyless entry and panoramic roof.
Premium Plus adds 20-inch alloys, heated and ventilated front seats with memory function, head up display and surround view.
Takumi adds uprated upholstery, auto park function, uprated stereo, LED front fog lights and uprated suspension.
Is The Lexus RZ450e Suitable For My Fleet
Range plays a big part when selecting an electric company car, particularly one of this size. Official figures quote a range of up to 271 miles, however in the real world in warm conditions we averaged 3.2 m/kWh which, with a 64kWh battery means 205miles max, which is not great – especially when this will be worse in the cold. Like the RZ450e’s sister car, the Toyota BZ4X, it suffers from having a climate control system that appears to rob 40 miles of range as soon as you turn it on. Given that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice aircon in a premium (or any) car with a list price over £65,000, that drop is a disappointment.
The charge speed isn’t particularly quick either, with Lexus claiming 150kW max. A faster capability could offset some of the lack of range. After all, if you have to stop more frequently at least those stops would be minimised.
On the more practical points, the Lexus wins back points. Rear leg room is excellent, even seating adults behind taller front seat occupants. And the boot comes in at 522 litres.
Leasing A Lexus RZ450e
Where the Lexus gains more points back is on the lease rates. A recent list price drop has clearly had the desired impact. Intelligent Car Leasing is offering the RZ540e with the Premium pack for £483 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year. As a comparison, the BMW iX3 in M-Sport Pro costs £634 a month.
Gensen Reports forecasts a monthly maintenance cost of £36, while Class 1A NIC comes in at £16 a month.
Driving A Lexus RZ450e
Beyond negative marks for Lexus’s battery size, charging speed and efficiency the RX450e takes another hit because the brand has opted for a front wing mounted charging point. This means you have to park front-in to charge which as any good fleet manager will tell you, is not the safest way to park. What’s more, the charge port is a good way along the wing which for some public charge points can cause an issue if the cable isn’t long enough.
The RZ450e is, however, packed with safety kit so you’d have be trying quite hard to reverse into something thanks to a host of warning beeps and auto-brake systems.
Turning off the unwanted, but legally required, speed warning and lane keeping is easy enough but could be higher in the menu system. Unfortunately it seems impossible to turn off the driver attention camera which cases the car to distract you with more beeping if you’re not looking dead-ahead all the time. Even very short glances at the infotainment screen will produce a warning.
On the move, the Lexus is, as you’d expect, very refined. It’s also comfortable and easy to drive with the car feeling smaller on the road than it’s 4.8m length.
On quicker, twistier roads the RZ remains composed and the all-wheel drive system works well to keep everything in check. The transition from brake energy regeneration to physical braking is imperceptible too.
While these points are good, they’re not really any better than a host of rivals and, aside from the looks of the RZ, there isn’t a particular unique selling point beyond the competitive lease rates.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Lexus RZ450e
Highly competitive lease rates help an otherwise ordinary premium SUV.
Lexus RZ450e
- Model: RX450e
- Power: 313hp
- Torque: 435Nm
- Max speed: 99mph
- 0-62mph: 5.6s
- Official range: 271 miles
- Test range: 205 miles*
- CO2 emissions: 0g/km
- BIK tax band 2024/25: 2%
* ambient temp circa 21degC
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