The All-Electric Lexus RZ 450e Proves The Brand Should Build More EVs
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- čas přidán 13. 06. 2024
- It took time but Lexus has a new battery electric, the RZ 450e. Built on the e-TNGA platform found under the Bz4X, it’s strictly an all-wheel drive machine (that’s the DIRECT4 badge) with torque vectoring. It's stuffed with Lexus creature comforts and technology too. Electrification is perfect for the brand’s mission. How does it work in the real world? Tom Voelk checks out the driving dynamics, design, features and, of course range and charging speed. He drives a Premium model with the following options- Technology Package, Digital Rear View Mirror, optional 20-inch wheels that lower the EPA rated range to an estimated 196 miles.
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2024 Lexus RZ 450e review, 2024 Lexus RZ 450e range, 2024 Lexus RZ 450e charge speed, 2024 Lexus RZ 450e price, all electric Lexus review, Lexus EV review, 2024 Lexus RZ 450e DIRECT4, 2024 Lexus RZ 450e AWD, 2024 Lexus RZ 450e all wheel drive, Tom Voelk, Tom Volk, Tom Volk car reviews
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he's won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).
00:00 Intro
00:34 How Big Is It?
00:00 Pricing
1:31 Powertrain
2:43 Performance
3:25 1 Pedal Driving
4:00 Handling
5:18 Range
6:26 Steering Wheel
6:55 Charging Speed
8:00 Interior / Interface
10:12 Back Seat
11:11 Design
12:08 Cargo
13:25 Red Light Green Light
14:25 Summary
15:29 Epilogue
16:12 Thanks Rob!
16:53 Before I Go… - Auta a dopravní prostředky
150-170 miles of range in a $65k car,
This should be illegal tbh.
Disagree. Lower weight = less range. The range obsession is pushing cars toward 5000 pounds and that causes other problems. 150 miles is plenty for 99% of driving.
@@jazzfan7491 lmao, you smoking same stuff as Lexus is.
@@jazzfan7491 lol. You can't drive 3 hours on a road trip without having to recharge. Lame.
@@weirdshibainu As he says in the video, the car purchase includes car rentals from Lexus for road trips. Great idea.
The “range” race reminds me of the megapixel race among camera manufacturers. A metric that has you paying a lot more for something you’ll never use.
@@henrybrar if Lexus is smoking science as I am, well, good for them
I bought this car in spite of the fact I was initially "turned off" by the range. The Lexus Reserve program that gives me a free loaner car for three years whenever I decide to go on a road trip, helped my decision. Personally, I would not recommend any electric car to someone who did not have a level 2 charger at their residence and another gas or hybrid car. This will of course change when solid state batteries come out in two or three years. Having said that, I LOVE this car as 98% of my driving is around town. When I first got it, my gauges said I had about 150 miles of range. After driving with the climiate control off, the range went up close to the 196 miles. With the seat warmer, steering wheel heater and radiant heat over my legs, I stayed very warm without the climate control on. It currently gets charged about once a week and I drive all over town.
This only works as a 2nd car in your fleet..but at a steep cost of 60k. This should’ve been sold 4 yrs ago and would’ve been eligible for the tax credit, or not at all.
they shouldn't have modified the concept. I was tempted by the concept when i was deciding on the Cross Turismo
I returned back after 3 days owning this car
I was ok with low range
But charging was pain 1hr with dc fast charging
Abysmal charging curve just like Toyota and Subaru siblings.
Good looking EV and very Lexus!! Unfortunately the range is too low for EV with price over $60k 🤦♂️
Tom, Even the most ardent Toyota fans are disappointed by the new BEVs from Lexus/Toyota. Due to appallingly inefficient heating systems aboard these models, winter driving range will be vexatiously low. 🤨 Toyota's tried and true Hybrid models are a much more rational option for buyers today. On a positive note, there are many, many things Toyota Motor Corporation fans can do to meaningfully reduce their carbon footprint while waiting for Lexus/Toyota to master zero emission vehicles. 😉
That might be true, but a check with my local Toyota and Lexus dealers finds these cars are all but impossible to get. There's a waiting list. There is room for improvement, but loyalists seem to be embracing them.
@@DrivenCarReviews I won't dispute the waiting lists because Toyota/Lexus have waiting lists for EVERYTHING right now. As a Canadian, it is impossible to overlook cold weather concerns. 🥶
Heck with the low driving range, and dealership quantities. I'm still marveling at the word "vexatiously". :)
The driving range is awful, though.
No wonder Lexus/Toyota don’t want to offer EV’s. Embarrassing.
@@DrivenCarReviews
Toyota & Lexus dealers are known for hyperbole as there are hundreds of unsold Lexus RZ models currently available on dealers lots.
Never looking back...Thanks Tom!
A bigger battery is not just for longer trips. Having a bigger battery for your daily driving means fewer full charge cycles compared to a smaller battery, which equates to longer battery life and less depletion over time. So if you intend to keep the car for a while it makes more sense to have a bigger battery, even if you’re not planning on doing any long road trips.
Yes, but Toyota claims it's doing things different by leaving a lot of reserve in the pack and being very conservative with the charge curve. He claims that after 100,000 miles the battery will be 90% usable if not better. Considering what I've seen with a few Chevrolet Bolts, that's very similar to GM longevity.
@@DrivenCarReviews I know. I had a Bolt for three years. 😉 But even so, many others have conservative approaches to charging curves but get better range. E.g. my current ID.4 which by default charges to 80% and still gets better range. So that justification sounds a bit weak. It’s also useless to have that “reserve” if you can’t access it when you need it once in a while on a longer trip. Also, DC charging curve is somewhat less relevant if you’re charging at home at 240V.
a bigger battery would also makes the car heavier and more expensive, this isn't an EV for road trip, but great for daily use
Lexus claims 90% of it's battery still available after 10 years.
@@robertwarren20 that’s the minimum one would expect these days. Nothing special. Toyota is behind the curve on this.
Thanks for the unbiased reviews.
Thank you for the excellent even-handed review, Tom! The kicker is that >$60K for a commuter and local drive is right out of there regardless of drivetrain or appointments. Here’s hoping Mr Sato delivers on his promises.
If only Lexus would let us option smaller wheels. I'd gladly swap with someone who wants the big ones. Plus where I live, the roads are abysmal and years overdue for repaving. Wheels that large could cost me a lot!
LOVE THE SHOW ... HAVE A BEAUTIFUL TUESDAY EVERYONE ✌️
The range makes this a non starter for me
even though Toyota do not want to go all in on electric, they should have at least make it competitive and not lagging behind for such a late entry to the market.
Congratulations Martin🎉 all the best to your daughter and son in-law
My favorite feature is the ball warmer
Thanks to a few of your reviews I drive a humble EV (a Bolt) but for me the math is always "is this enough cheaper than a Tesla do justify having a haphazard charging network?" I think that's the very serious question we all need to ask ourselves until that fundamentally changes. This is nice looking other than the lights making it seem a bit cross-eyed, but at that price point... just get the Tesla. They're very similar in utility and what not and you can do a road trip in the Tesla. But I'm glad there are more choices.
The front end appears Shemp-inspired. 😊
Thanks!
Oh no, thank YOU.
Ron Popeil would definitely have approved of the front fascia.
Slice ‘n Dice!
I like the “yoke” version…as direct as motorcycle handlebars.
Cool!
The YT "Car Care Nut " channel recently reviewed this very Lexus EV & largely was critical of it for various reasons, including poor mileage range.
A general suggestion, which I suspect has been made before. We usually get a sense of how comfortable the back seat is for a 5'9" person. I think it would be very useful to get a sense of how the driving position would be for a short person (say, 5'1" or less) and a very tall person (say 6'4" or more). Thanks for your great reviews.
With my reviews, I will tell you if a petite woman has issues because my wife is 5'0". My tall friends are much less easily accessible. But at the end of the day, small or large people will always need to sit in a vehicle to test it because leg and torso lengths differ wildly. I am conveniently average size in both leg and torso, statistically speaking.
@@DrivenCarReviews Thanks
So glad I got my NX plug in before the new rules kicked in and got the rebate!!
Can you please blink when you turn. Or does the car not have turn signals?
I ask Martin not to. It messes up sequencing when editing. And there are no cars around when we shoot so he would be signaling for no one.
RZ 450e looks right at home in Tom's neighborhood.
Not my neighborhood to be honest.
phev is my next vehicle. we road trip and commute and normal weekend up and down the city.
This seems like it isn’t the best at anything, but mostly acceptable at many things. While it’s BZ4X underpinnings would make EV enthusiasts pause, maybe the Lexus badge is all that’s necessary to sell to its intended audience, in spite of its lackluster feature set and gigantic nose.
I never knew you have the option to have the hatch wait for you to leave so it can close down.
It uses the key fob information, as soon as it sense you've moved from the vehicle it closes.
The people in my city who bought this and the BZ4x are senior citizens/former Avalon drivers who don’t know any better.
It’s crazy that Toyota allowed Lexus to release such a vehicle. The brand is seriously going down hill if this is the best it can do.
How’s this better than a rav4 prime?
It is a nice car and a lot of what an RX EV would be like....if only the battery size is larger and you get more like ~250mi range this would be a better seller.
People are complaining about this car having low range, so what. Really do you drive close to 200 miles a day? If you live in a home and not even a home as every apartment complex nowadays have charging stations where you can charge, you should be fine. The problem is people don't know how to stay home. All they want to do is run the streets and drive around all day doing nothing but joy riding!
Well...there are some good discounts now. I've seen up to $14,000 off for the top line trim.
My guess is their shorter range means that they're conservative on battery's longevity.
People always take it for grant that Toyota/Lexus are built to last.
And Toyota/Lexus pretty much claims as much. But from what I understand with Chevy Bolt pack longevity (tests done with both L2 and DCFC) the LG packs used in those have excellent longevity. This whole dynamic is going to take years to figure out.
15 years warranty on the battery. Not one EV brand, car offers that. Vw, Tesla, just 2 years. Fast charging is killing for every battery, I never do fast charging, I charge at home and the office.
@@avdp9095 What are you on about? Tesla's battery warranty is 8 years and unlimited miles with guaranteed 70% function. VW is 4 years 50K miles. Nobody is doing 2 years. In 8 years, supposedly Toyota will have a solid state battery that goes 1000 miles, charges 10 to 80 in 10 minutes and weighs 1/2 as much. Why in world would you want a crippled battery for 15 years when Toyota themselves insist they're on a battery breakthrough. It's nonsensical in terms of utility. If one truly doesn't need range buy a cheaper Leaf or even a Smart.
@@Tokamak3.1415exactly
Slick, modern design!
I love this car but the range is to low for me, it needs to incorporate the Exro coil driver to extend that range.
These are pathetic specs for virtually every aspect of this car. Toyota, and it’s subsidiaries, are stumbling badly in the EV space.
Agreed this was a great electric vehicle in 2013.
But I bet that it does not fall apart like Teslas.
@@denisdaly1708 My 2013 Tesla Model S P85 has the original battery and 155k miles and drives just fine, very reliable, and fast.
@@BryceLovesTech my airport taxi driver has a 2017 model s with 325k miles. Instead of buying a new one, he plans to just replace the battery. Crazy! I think he said his battery has about 80% of what he had when new which is still more than this 2024.
@@TizzleT same here, a new battery is about $15k, cheap compared to a new Model S
Did you mention 3 hour charging time, sorry?
If you came home with this, then I brought over a 2023 Jaguar iPace EV400 and let you have it for a day, you'd never in a thousand years give me back the Jag.
drill baby drill
short range limits its use
The front looks like an angry panda (especially with white paint)
We are going to have it next year! Sorry folks, we allways behind here 🎉
I would consider this as a suburban runabout in addition to some ICE cars in the garage, but otherwise this is a tough sell. TMC and Lexus are behind the game, and not super compelling EVs at the moment. But they will eventually get there and the EV advantages will match the brand character of Lexus very well. Quiet, durable, well made, smooth - a Lexus EV has a lot of promise. In the meantime, they have to maintain relevance and compete with ascendant or reascendant brands from Tesla to Genesis, Volvo, Polestar and Cadillac to the German 3. Chinese brands are also advancing very quickly. This is a new paradigm and Lexus is a laggard. I hope they get it together soon, as time is not going to be a friend of Japanese brands. Personally, I feel that Genesis is more Lexus than Lexus these days. I would rather buy a G90 than an LS, for example. Hyundai Group brands are also way ahead of the Japanese on EVs.
I'm a Japanese car kinda person, we own two here in our household and one is a Lexus ES 350 which I love. However, we need to call this thing what it really is: a low effort, half assed attempt by Toyota to fill a gap in their lineup which comes to life already outdated. Not a big fan of Tesla but those cars are, apparently, way ahead of this thing in terms of tech. A claimed range of 180 miles and a stick to prop the hood open instead of gas struts in a so-called luxury car?! One needs to be in need of serious psychiatric treatment if they decide to spend all that money on this hunk of garbage!
No tax credit, screen bezels like we're in the mid-2000s, lackluster range, and lackluster DCFC. Oof. Not sure I see any reason to get this other than just to buy it for being a Lexus.
No mention of one-pedal driving? Or did I miss that on the video?
He said it doesn’t have it
He said it's got strong regen but still needs brakes to stop
Good specs for a bev with a small battery pack, 15 years warranty and 320 km real world range, what's wrong with that?????? I charge at the office or at home, 300km plus is oke for every business trip. What a nosense about the range of this car. The bz4x and Subaru Solterra have had a software update and now 450km real world range and faster charging, the RZ will follow.
Yes, they "should" build more EVs but Toyota-Lexus hate EVs, they've been wasting time on hydrogen fuel cells, and are now FINALLY reluctantly taking this technology seriously - REALLY? Geeze, it will be at least 2 years before we see a decent EV on the new platform from this group. Their battery supply chain is competely broken, with worst in class battery density and power delivery, it's an embarrassment. 160 mile range is TERRIBLE for a premium vehicle plus SLOW speed charging? No heat pump either? This is like the stone age. All of that incompetence for $63,000 and no tax credit is an insult to consumers. The Kia EV9 is a more compelling package for a similar price although I'd pay a little extra for the Volvo EX90 3-row EV with some tax credit as they'll be built in the USA.
No glove box? Way too much money for a half Subaru half Toyota with little range.
SAL9000
I really do not like the "panda eyes" of the front end, and the super low range will hurt Lexus's reputation as an automobile industry leader. They should increase the range as soon as possible to say the least.
Good start, but range is uncompetitive and regen braking is irrelevant. Don’t think this is what people want.
Less than two hundred miles of range? This thing is obsolete when it rolls off the assembly line.
It's a shame Toyota nerfed the battery.
Hopefully Lexus will drop this just like Toyota.
Cash that Toyota check yet?
I wouldn't consider it premium for Lexus considering the cost. They cheaped out in the interior and it has no range. Yes I'm sure it drives nice like a Lexus but not for 60K. I'm a Lexus /Toyota fan for the past 20 years but they need to do better for this one or the BZ4.
Lexus should have made this a PHEV
NX and RX are PHEVS. That's covered.
@@DrivenCarReviews Yeah Tom but I still believe Lexus rushed to produce a pure electric vehicle and this shouldn’t have been the one.
Excellent video! Disappointing product. Thanks for your honesty. Pay too much for too little!
This car won't be around long I don't think.
Yay another car with no rear bumper, all the better to have a revenue stream for part, when you get even a minor rear bump.
just do not understand a premium EV getting less that 325 miles of range, minimum. Otherwise its a wonderful car
It’s such a shame Toyota used so many parts to the bz including same size pack, for a luxury model it should offer more range as well as power, and I’m fed up with manufacturers removing the rear wipers , it’s not a saloon it’s a hatch , areo is no good for traffic jams or slow movement
220 range 😢
That is same as bz4x they probably used same battery as the front wheel drive car that has 150 kw peak If it had 300 it would cost more
more like 90 miles when you factor 20-80% rule and winter driving. Tom got 150 miles in in 50 degree weather highway driving.
Less range capacity, less charging speed, frunk-less & glovebox-less while there's the space.
Less tidy center console area (cluttered with shifter dial and buttons thingy)...
That's a perfect* EV
What is it named? Lessus?
Sounds like Less-useful?
Lessus "ARSE-ZEE" ? 😱
*perfect for the type of people who used to live under the rock, in the bottom of the sea, who don't know and/or never heard of any other EV in the world
For the Toyota loyalists
300ml RW B4 consider
Toyota/Lexus could have owned the EV space, instead of playing mediocre catch up.
How many hybrid batteries can be made instead of one EV battery? How much energy and water is consumed to make huge EV batteries? IMHO, hybrids are better for suburbia and long trips, while public transportation is better for big cities. I hope Toyota won't stop making hybrids.
👏👏
Thumbs up for Tom. Not so much for the vehicle.
probably not faster on long trips than the i-Pace despite the Jag being mostly 2018 tech as they did not change battery tech. The Jag is smaller, has more cargo room and is surely a better driver’s car. And Jag is by far the worst long tripper of all the competitors you mentioned. So an expensive city car😂
No range, no Fed kiss and a high price. Great.
With 196 miles of range drops to 118 if you want to keep the SOC between 80-20%. In winter that would drop further to about 90 miles. Pathetic.
absolutely right on the no home charging equal no EV. in 5 years. the poor will be poorer having to pay higher gas prices. on a side note. Come on Porsche. Give me my CT allocation!!
😢 At least they got into a money pit. World is going wrong hybrid does it better for long range highway.
Yes, the brand should build more EV's. But first they need to learn how to build an EV. 160 miles of range? 6.6kw/150kw charging? Come on, this is BY FAR worst in class. This car is a no-go, as is the BZ4X/Subaru Solterra.
Just because Tesla did it doesn't mean everyone should paint their grilles body color. Looks awful.
The mileage range of bZ4X or RZ 450E is a joke for its price.
Toyota spouts BS about hybrids yet even in CA it sells more ICE than hybrids.
What a technical disappointment. 6.6 kW OBC when most others have 11 kW? Limit on DCFC consecutive sessions? Poor range? 150 kW DCFC is ok but could have been better. Wheels fall off yet? Toyota should have done better.
It should have a 7.2kW at a minimum but realistically 11kW OBC is the new standard for the 2020s.
No banana.
Is it me or this really is a rebadged SUBARU?😁😁😁
I would say no. It's a Lexus as Lexus are refined Toyotas. The bZ4 is much more Toyota than Subaru. The Subaru is a rebadged bZ4.
why wouldnt it be eligible for the federal tax credit?
It and its battery are made in Japan.
I wonder if Toyota will be able to catch up once they get serious about making EV’s. Lexus fans will buy this and then most likely look for a different brand for their next EV after they realize how mediocre an EV it is. But my guess is that Lexus won’t make many of these.
I enjoy your reviews but stop making excuses for subpar products.
No excuses made. I pointed out the pros and cons without any need to emote like a teenager.
Surprising to hear the range is much worse than advertised.
Not qualifying for rebates...
No, until you can give me 500 mile range save me the electric car hype. I'll keep my RX450e.
Toyota/ Lexus is Not giving people what they want. RZ/BZ4X has No range, is not affordable, and isn’t practical. No, no, no. I’ll keep my 23’ NX350H
Oh look a Subaru solterra for 60k lol
Wow by the end of this video I lost track of all the ways this is DOA. But I appreciate your attempts to stay neutral regardless, Tom. Either way, Lexus really nailed it with one demographic...former RX350 owners who want another one, know nothing about what makes a good EV, and get convinced by the sales guy to lease this.
Another over price EV. And this one, with small range. Where I live, it is very cold in winter and that range would shrink by at least 40%. Not really usable for me. We are not going anywhere fast with the electric car market.
While Lexus should be building more EVs, this is not how they should be doing it. Luxury is nice but in EVs range is the foundational metric. This doesn't have it. For $62k you are getting a plusher BZ4x which on its own is a poor value.
Nissan Leaf level range for 60k, pass
Tom does the title of the review mean Lexus should build more EVs because they desperately need more practice? This models lack of range, slow charge speed and high price is a terrible first try by Lexus.
This is a flopper. DOA.
Mark my words: the second gen of the RZ will be based on the Prius, not the BZ.