Lexus’ New Wave: New RX and All-Electric RZ First Drive
After many months of waiting and speculation from those of us in the specialist motoring press, Lexus have at last launched their first purpose-built production BEV, the new RZ450e, along with the new fifth generation RX SUV. Metropol were invited to attend the launch. Here is how it went down.
The setting would be Dunedin. After arriving, we made a beeline straight for our overnight halt, EBB Hotel Dunedin. This chic inner city hotel complex embraced the love of classic and modern contemporary art and after standing in the lobby and having a peek around the open-air atrium design, its no small wonder why Lexus decided to launch the new RX and RZ here.
After a wash and brush up, we made our way down to the presentation before heading out to Fables restaurant for dinner. A couple of red wines and some delicious pork belly went down a treat and this writer nodded off later that evening. Next day was drive day. The destination? Queenstown. The first car to experience was the new RX.
The RX has been the biggest seller for Lexus for some time. Since its introduction in 1998, more than 6.6 million units have been sold world-wide. Now into its fifth generation, there have been some significant changes to what is for many, their Lexus of choice.
The most noticeable straight off the bat is the RX is available only as a Hybrid. Yes, no more petrol power in the RX, or “Radiant Crossover”, from now one its go hybrid or go without. Toyota New Zealand say they are on track to reduce their overall emissions by 46 per cent and still meet the clean car standard by 2027 and TNZ expect the Lexus RX to aid in realising this goal.
The range consists of two model grades, the RX350h AWD and the flagship RX500h AWD F-Sport. The former starts at $120,900 for the Premium grade, the Limited will set you back $131,900 and the Limited Enhancement Package is an extra $4000 on top of that at $135,900.
Power for the RX350h comes from a 2.5 four-cylinder petrol engine with hybrid powertrain producing a combined 184kW and 239Nm of torque. An E-CVT transmission sends power to all four wheels and Lexus claim combined fuel consumption figures of 6.0L/100km and 137g/km of CO2.
The flagship $142,900 RX500h boldly goes where no RX has gone before. Encompassing the performance focused F-Sport brand, the RX500h gets power from an all-new 2.4L turbocharged petrol/hybrid combo mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The gains in power are considerable as the RX500h kicks out a combined 273kW and 460Nm. Said grunt is put to pavement by Lexus’ new Direct4 AWD system. This system provides an instant torque delivery to each wheel and dynamic rear steering system allows the rear wheels to steer or counter-steer at low or high speed to ensure you are able to change direction pretty sharpish. The RX500h, developed at Toyota’s Shimoyama test track, is easily the quickest RX yet with a zero to 100km/h time of 6.4 seconds.
Exterior wise, the fifth generation RX carries on the Lexus spindle grill design but it now matches the colour of the car itself. It sports a more slippery stance and the latest incarnation of Lexus blade scan adaptive LED headlights. At the rear you have a new full width LED lightbar similar to the design found on the aforementioned UX and a new floating lettered Lexus logo. There is also a smattering of new colours available and the F-Sport gets matte black 21-inch sports alloys.
Inside, every RX gets the full Lexus Safety System + with all manner of Pre-Collision Warning technology, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, the list goes on. The interior also reflects Lexus “Tazuna” design philosophy, using these design cues first seen on the current generation NX SUV. Chief of these is the new 14-inch HD touchscreen infotainment system which does away with that infuriating touchpad set up of the previous car. Whether in the F-Sport or the Limited grade, it’s a delightful place to be and the seats themselves are sublime to sit in.
The Limited Enhancement Pack with the RX350h includes a feature known as the “Lexus TeamMate” advanced drive function which aids in parking and also gives the driver a digital rear view mirror and a panoramic roof.
While I will have to wait to give you a more detailed perspective on the ins and outs of the new RX, what I can definitely tell you is what they are like to drive. We would have access to the RX350h and flagship RX500h F-Sport. First up was going whole hog with the RX500h.
Leaving inner city Dunedin and heading for North Taieri, the RX500h F-Sport makes no bones about being the sprightliest RX yet. Its 2.4 litre turbocharged hybrid four pot provides some more than adequate off the line kick, more so than you would expect from a hefty luxo SUV like this.
Through the gears, the new six speed automatic transmission serves up some pretty decent shifts over the conventional E-CVT. I know the premise of the RX hybrid range is to prioritise fuel frugality while whisking you along in a luxurious environment, but dare I say it, the RX500h even has a nice raspy engine note higher up the rev range. It’s a quick car and the Direct4 AWD system makes a difference when partaking in driving exuberance and quick cornering. One might even describe it as being fun.
From the RX500h, I jumped into the RX350h Limited. Here the gulf between the 500 and 350 in terms of power was obvious. Waiting for the power to spool up was not as rapid with the 2.5L four pot as opposed to the turbo unit but that was to be expected. The RX350h is still a delightful cruiser, able to deliver a solid and linear torque curve from throughout the rev range. Ride comfort is also supple and comfortable thanks to variable adaptive suspension.
Eventually we made our way to the tiny colonial gold and coal mining town of Saint Bathans. With its 19th century general store and telephone exchange, not to mention a man-made lake within a quarry which made for a setting which wouldn’t look out of place in a George Lucas directed Sci Fi series, it was an idyllic spot to soak up some local heritage.
Leaving Saint Bathans, we enjoyed a leisurely cruise to Clyde, or the Clyde damn to be exact where a trio of new RZ450e’s were waiting for us. This is the one we had been most interested in finally experiencing and now the time had come to get stuck in.
The RZ is the first step of the Lexus grand plan to add 10 new BEV platforms to their range by 2029, with the eventual goal of transitioning to a 100 per cent electric new car fleet by 2035. The range consists of one model with three different trim levels. The entry point is the new Core at $141,600 and then you have the range topping Dynamic with the option of a two-tone Bi-tonal package for an extra $2000. The names Core and Dynamic will only be used on Lexus BEV products.
The RZ sits on Lexus’ bespoke e-TNGA architecture. It sports the same wheelbase as the RX but the car itself is much smaller with a shorter front overhang. The spindle grill design has evolved to a spindle body and you have additional intakes and vents to aid in aerodynamics. Front to rear, the RZ has a more hunkered down and sporty stance. Some design cures area also quite modern and minimalist such as the clean-cut LED rear light cluster.
Its platform will serve as the base for all future Lexus BEV products and the RZ actually weighs 110kg less than the RX, despite the addition of a 71.4kWh battery pack.
Said battery pack works with that Direct4 AWD system and electric motors front and rear with 150kW/266nm and 80kW/168Nm respectively to give a combined power output of 230kW. The RZ is compatible with AC and DC fast chargers. According to WTLP charging statistics, the RZ450e Core gets a claimed range of 435km and the Dynamic will reach up to 395km.
Despite its smaller profile, the interior of the RZ is quite a capacious one. Lexus have even done away with a glovebox to make more legroom. That said there are still places for ample storage. While I definitely preferred the comfortable seats of the RX, the RZ’s use of sustainable materials added a certain conscious quality feel to it. Your surroundings are also illuminated by a full-length panoramic roof, which in the Dynamic spec, has a power dimming feature allowing you to “fog up” or “de-mist” the roof by touch.
The Dynamic also gets 20-inch alloys over the Core’s 18s, adaptive high beam headlights, Ultrasuede seat fabric and a head up display. Both models also get a new feature for the heat control system called “Radiant Heating” which operates by radiating the increased cabin temperature without compromising the range.
The new shift by wire shifter set up is the first of its kind on a Lexus and you have shift paddles which give four different levels of regenerative braking. All models also get the same Lexus Safety Suite.
On the move in the RZ450e Core, we made our way to our next rendezvous point, the Bannockburn Hotel where we would enjoy a three-course lunch. Prior to this I found the RZ to be a supple and engaging drive. There was a good mix of power and responsiveness from the steering, brakes and the Direct4 AWD system. Selecting Sport mode didn’t do the range any favours however.
You do feel the reduction in weight over the RX with RZ. It does feel lithe and eager to get going and, in the corners, it tracks well and true, though I wish the regenerative braking stages were a tad more intense. I got the feeling the potential of a full charge after regenerative braking my way down a mountain road may be not be possible.
After a great lunch at the Bannockburn Hotel, we made our way though Cromwell and enjoyed a brisk run to Queenstown airport. Soon it was goodbye Otago and hello again Christchurch.
So, to wrap up, which RX is the best option? Based on that snippet of an introduction, it makes the most sense to go for the RX500h given the vast increase of power for a minimal increase in price. It does feel like a completely different car.
As for the RX450e? I spent the equivalent of around an hour in the saddle and I will say I am looking forward to giving it a more thorough road test later in the year. My biggest bugbear is the price coupled with the range. The market certainly isn’t lacking in premium luxury BEVs and a good chunk can offer that kind of range for less.
However, the RZ still manages to impress on many levels. Good ergonomics, quality, tech and it looks pretty funky too. For a first effort at a bespoke BEV, the RZ450e, after that brief introduction, shows real promise. Let’s see how it fares on the urban and extra urban settings of Christchurch in the months to come.
All photos courtesy of Lexus
