Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, has been one of the best luxury carmakers ever since it entered the market. Lexus is often characterized by its sharp exterior outlook with the iconic spindle grille, mansion-like cabins, a myriad of creature comforts, best-in-class safety features, and most importantly, their reliable, powerful, as well as efficient power trains.

With a lofty goal of achieving carbon neutrality and 100% BEV sales globally by 2030, the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e is the company’s first BEV (Battery EV) and a giant leap of faith into the "Lexus Electrified" future. The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e is based on the e-TNGA platform, and it shares the underpinnings with the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra.

The new RZ 450e is an all-new offering from Lexus, and there are tons of new features and plenty of reasons to like it. You might be wondering what makes it so special, especially when there’s already the Lexus RX Hybrid? Well, the new RZ 450e is Lexus’s first BEV, and the first impression is always important.

Related: This Is How The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e Compares To The Toyota bZ4X

Lexus RZ 450e Packs 308 HP And A Smart AWD System

The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e’s packs a battery-powered powertrain system, which is popularly known as the "DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system". This system features a muscular eAxle (electronic axle) motor that powers all the wheels with high precision drive force. The DIRECT4 unit is a combination of two capable electric motors which drive the front and rear wheels respectively.

The front axle is coupled with a permanent synchronous electric motor capable of producing a peak power of 201 horsepower and 196 lb-ft of torque, while the rear axle is equipped with a 107 hp and 124 lb-ft permanent synchronous electric motors.

The duo puts out an impressive 308 horsepower and 321 lb-ft of total punch on all four wheels. The Lexus RZ 450e is capable of hitting the 60 mph mark in just 5.5 seconds and covering a quarter-mile in just under 14 seconds, impressive for a BEV.

Lexus Has Put In Some Serious Work To Make The RZ 450e Enjoyable

Furthermore, the DIRECT4 unit also comes with a sensor that monitors the wheel’s rotational speed, acceleration, and steering angle to provide information for controlling the front and rear drive-force distribution. This meticulous approach has helped engineers milk the best potential from the engine. That said, this distinct engineering helps with faster start-up acceleration, brisker handling, and better energy efficiency and management.

According to engineers, the unit’s sensors monitor the situation or the driving conditions and instruct the system to improve and minimize the vehicle’s traction and pitch while launching and achieving a more poised straight-line acceleration to offer great driving dynamics and a responsive acceleration feel.

Not only that, but when the steering wheel is turned, the system monitors the cornering speed and steering angle and optimizes the front wheel’s drive force distribution to reduce understeer and provide better driving stability. Hence, the RZ provides a balanced and brisk steering feel. This ensures sufficient grip and motivates the driver to take confident corners.

The DIRECT4 unit is equipped with a sensor that detects the type of surface the vehicle is on. Based on that, the system distributes the force on the front and rear wheels to deliver better maneuverability and an excellent driving feel. This phenomenal feature is known as "The Natural" and it is a part of the "Lexus Driving Signature" program.

Related: This Is How The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e Compares To The Subaru Solterra

Clever Underpinnings For The Lexus RZ 450e

As mentioned above, Lexus has constructed the new 2023 RZ 450e on Toyota’s e-TNGA platform, which is exclusively made for EVs, and it also underpins the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra. Hence, the EV-emphasized chassis has promising potential. The RZ450e’s eAxle enwraps the electric motor, transaxle, and inverter in a lightweight and small unit.

The smaller and lighter unit helps the SUV stay under 4,500 lbs., making it one of the lightest BEVs on the market. The lighter weight helps it accelerate faster, deliver better handling and offer more driving range.

The 2023 Lexus RZ450e gets its power from a lithium-ion 96-cell battery, which has a capacity of 71.4 kWh. The e-TNGA platform, being a dedicated BEV platform, has helped Lexus to mount the battery in the chassis.

Hence, the flat battery not only helps it offer better cargo space but also reduces the center of gravity. The lithium-ion battery has a high capacity, and the use of silicon carbide semiconductors in the inverter and the usage of low-loss technologies have helped Lexus engineers mine out a driving range of 225 miles with standard 18-inch tires.

2023 Lexus RZ 450e: Comfortable, Reliable, And Better Late Than Never

Besides these, Lexus has filled its first BEV with plenty of creature comforts and technologies that will surely appease luxury car buyers, especially the techy ones. Moreover, being a part of Toyota, this Lexus will arguably be more reliable than its competitors.

We expect it to arrive in the autumn of 2022 with a starting price of somewhere north of $55,000. Based on its class, price, size, and powertrain type, the new Lexus RZ450e will face stiff competition from the likes of the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4 e-Tron, Volkswagen ID4, Nissan Ariya, and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Lexus is certainly late to the party. However, we have a lot of expectations for the yet-to-arrive RZ 450e. We expect it to be one of the best in the segment with bulletproof reliability, impeccable safety, a cozy, spacious, and deluxe interior, as well as great technological niceties and a muscular powertrain. The upcoming RZ 450e will be the deciding factor of Lexus’s all-electric fortune.

Source: Lexus