2024 Lexus RZ 450e Luxury Review

Amidst the increasingly intense competition in Malaysia’s luxury electric vehicle market, the D-Segment SUV category has become the focus of various brands' rivalry. Consumers want the environmental credentials of electric vehicles without compromising on luxury and practicality. As the brand's first fully electric SUV, the Lexus RZ 450e Luxury enters the market with a dual-motor AWD system delivering 313PS, a 14-inch screen, and a Mark Levinson sound system, priced at RM 429,888. It precisely targets users seeking luxurious quality and balanced performance. In this test drive, we aim to verify whether it strikes the optimal balance between “luxury” and “electric” while assessing whether its actual performance aligns with Lexus's brand identity.

From a distance, the RZ 450e Luxury carries Lexus’s signature family design but gains extra simplicity due to its electric identity. The front features a closed spindle-shaped panel instead of the traditional grille, outlined with chrome trim for high recognition. The sharp LED headlights on either side, with L-shaped daytime running lights, create a strong visual impact when illuminated. The side profile has smooth lines, with a beltline running from the A-pillar to the rear, paired with 20-inch multi-spoke rims that balance the SUV's robust stance with a sporty edge. The recessed design along the lower door enhances the side's layered look. At the rear, the main highlight is the full-width LED tail light, with the embedded Lexus lettering in the center offering great nighttime visibility. The lower bumper features a hidden exhaust design (aligned with its electric vehicle identity), resulting in a simplistic and harmonious appearance. The lighting system comes standard with LED, including automatic headlights and front fog lights, ensuring sufficient convenience for daily use.

Stepping inside, the first impression is of Lexus's signature luxurious quality — the dashboard is wrapped in large areas of soft-touch materials, accented with silver trim for a refined touch. The seats use genuine leather with neat stitching, meeting luxury expectations both visually and tactilely. The center console layout leans towards the driver, with the 14-inch EMV touchscreen being the visual centerpiece. The screen offers high resolution and smooth responsiveness. A few physical buttons remain on the left side for adjusting the air conditioning and driving modes, making blind operations more convenient. In terms of features, there are many highlights: the 3-zone automatic climate control allows independent adjustments for the front and rear rows, the front seats are equipped with heating functions, and the 7-inch full LCD instrument panel provides clear displays of core information like range and speed in real-time. The steering wheel supports electronic adjustment, with its multifunction buttons logically arranged for easy operation. Most notably, the Mark Levinson sound system with 13 speakers, coupled with the Sound Plus feature, delivers delicate audio performance, effortlessly handling anything from pop music to classical pieces.

In terms of space, the RZ 450e Luxury has body dimensions of 4805mm×1895mm×1635mm and a 2850mm wheelbase, placing it in the mainstream range for D-Segment SUVs. The front row offers ample space, with a 175cm occupant having a clearance of one fist and two fingers above the head after adjusting the seat. The rear row is even more impressive; a passenger of the same height has over two fists of legroom and one fist of head clearance. The nearly flat floor in the center ensures that the middle rear passenger won’t feel cramped when the seat is fully occupied by three people. In terms of storage, the front central armrest box has a large capacity, capable of holding a 10-inch tablet. The door storage compartments can fit two 500ml water bottles. The luggage compartment has a regular volume that meets daily needs, expandable to 1451L with the rear seats folded down, making it stress-free for transporting luggage or large items. Smaller details like independent rear air conditioning vents, USB charging ports, and seatback storage pockets for the front seats add to its practicality.

Powertrain-wise, the RZ 450e Luxury is equipped with dual front and rear permanent magnet synchronous motors, delivering a combined system output of 230kW (313PS), with a maximum torque of 266N·m from the front motor and 169N·m from the rear motor. The official 0-100km/h acceleration is 5.3 seconds. During actual driving, the power response is swift at the start, and even a light press on the accelerator provides a noticeable push-back sensation. Mid-to-high-speed acceleration is similarly robust. When overtaking, pressing the accelerator deeply results in linear and consistent power output, and the high-speed acceleration capabilities are also impressive. Three driving modes are available: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, power output is relatively gentle, making it suitable for daily commuting, while Sport mode enhances throttle sensitivity and provides a heavier steering feel, catering to users who value driving pleasure.

The handling and chassis performance align with Lexus's consistent tuning style. The combination of a front MacPherson strut and rear double-wishbone independent suspension strikes a balance between comfort and handling. On smooth roads during daily driving, the chassis effectively filters out minor bumps. When encountering speed bumps or uneven road surfaces, the suspension quickly absorbs vibrations, preventing excessive body movements and ensuring the comfort of rear passengers. Steering is light with minimal dead zone, body roll is well-controlled during cornering, and the steering wheel remains stable during high-speed driving, resulting in a solid overall driving experience. The all-wheel-drive system performs remarkably on slippery roads, with even power distribution during acceleration and no slippage. With a minimum ground clearance of 200mm, it can also handle occasional unpaved roads.

We focused on testing the range and energy consumption. The official pure electric range is 440km, and real-world road tests (50% city, 50% highway, air conditioning set to 24°C) achieved approximately 85% of the claimed range—about 374km on a full charge. This result ranks above average among comparable electric vehicles. In terms of energy consumption, the city driving energy usage is about 18kWh/100km, highway driving is approximately 22kWh/100km, and the combined energy consumption is 20kWh/100km, which meets expectations. Charging speeds are commendable: in fast-charging mode, it takes 30 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%, while slow charging requires 6.5 hours for a full charge. For daily use, both home slow charging and public fast charging are convenient.

In terms of ride comfort, noise control is well-implemented—wind and tire noise are effectively suppressed during high-speed driving, allowing for normal conversations in the car without raising voices. The noise from the motor operation is almost negligible, ensuring a level of quietness that matches luxury car standards. Seat comfort is excellent, with good backrest support and cushion wrapping, providing fatigue-free long-distance driving. The regenerative braking system offers three adjustable levels; at the highest level, releasing the accelerator produces a noticeable drag effect, effectively recovering energy. At the lowest level, it mimics the coasting experience of fuel-powered cars and feels intuitive once adapted to.

Overall, the core highlights of the RZ 450e Luxury are clear: firstly, its luxurious feel, with interior materials and configurations (notably the Mark Levinson sound system) standing out among competitors in the same class; secondly, its well-rounded dynamic performance, with dual-motor all-wheel drive offering powerful performance and chassis tuning balancing comfort and handling; and thirdly, its practical space, ensuring passenger comfort in both the front and rear seats even when fully loaded. Compared to competitors in the same class (such as the BMW iX3 and Mercedes-Benz EQA), the RZ 450e Luxury excels in terms of configuration richness and spatial performance, while also being relatively affordable, making it highly cost-effective.

This car is most suitable for families who value luxury feel and balanced performance—it offers the eco-friendliness and smoothness of an electric vehicle while maintaining Lexus' comfort and quality. The spacious interior and practical storage capacity can meet the needs of occasional family trips. For young people who prioritize quietness and configuration experience, it is also a good choice. After all, the Mark Levinson audio system and the 14-inch large screen provide ample sense of technology and entertainment.

Overall, the Lexus RZ 450e Luxury is a "no-obvious-shortcomings" luxury electric SUV—it showcases Lexus' solid craftsmanship, rich features, and balanced dynamic performance, proving that the brand can maintain its identity even in the electric era. If you are looking for a purely electric SUV with "uncompromised luxury," and at the same time value space and practicality, then the RZ 450e Luxury is worth considering for your shortlist.