2023 Lexus RZ 450e Australian price and details

This premium brand has never built a car like this before and it brings a wide range of desirable gear and perks that rivals just can’t match.

2023 Lexus RZ 450e (overseas model shown)

Lexus is charging ahead with electric cars.

The Japanese brand has revealed local details of its second zero-emission vehicle, the RZ 450e.

The mid-size SUV will turn some heads with sporty styling headlined by a coupe-like roofline, wide muscular stance and edgy panel creases all over.

It joins the UX 300e SUV in the brand’s electric line-up.

The Lexus RZ 450e is the brand’s first EV built on a dedicated electric car platform.

The RZ is built on an electric-only platform compared to the UX that has had an electric set-up shoehorned into a car designed to hold a petrol engine.

This dedicated electric car platform brings a myriad of benefits such as a roomier cabin, better interior layout and better integrated tech and electric motors and batteries.

The arrival of the RZ is part of Lexus’ plan to only sell hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars in Australia by the end of the decade.

It’ll having a driving range of up to 470km.

Lexus Australia boss John Pappas says the RZ is a milestone vehicle for the brand.

“It is not a vehicle that simply adopts battery electric power in place of a conventional engine. It goes much further to realise the exciting potential of new technologies that enhance performance and driving pleasure,” says Mr Pappas.

“The RZ 450e is ready for customers wanting the best of both worlds from Lexus, without compromise.”

It is pried from $123,000 plus on-road costs.

Two variants will be available at launch with prices starting from $123,000 (before on-road costs) for the Luxury grade and $135,000 for the Sports Luxury version.

Both are fitted with a sizeable 71.4kWh battery that provides a driving range of up to 470km.

A supercharger can replenish the battery from zero to 80 per cent in about 30 minutes. This means it can accept a charge rate of about 110kW, which is less than half of some electric cars on the market.

Plug it in into an 11kW home wallbox charger and it’ll take six and a half hours to power up to 100 per cent.

Two motors – one on each axle – combine to make 260kW and all-wheel drive.

Initially the RZ will be available with a conventional steering wheel only, but it is set to bring its yoke steering wheel in the future.

The yoke steering wheel will be available in the future.

There are plenty of luxury features to crow about, too.

The Luxury grade comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting front and back and a rear spoiler.

Inside, there is a big 14-inch central touchscreen for the infotainment and the leather trimmed front seats are electronically adjustable and heated.

The cabin will be exceptionally well appointed.

Connectivity is its strong suit with five USB points and a wireless device charger to complement wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, digital radio and a 10 -speaker Panasonic stereo.

Jump up to the more expensive Sports Luxury variant and it adds 20-inch alloy wheels, faux suede interior trim, heated rear window seats, cooling front seats and heated steering wheel.

There are also nifty items such as a head-up display that projects vital information on the driver’s windscreen, a dimming panoramic sunroof and a booming 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo.

A dimming panoramic sunroof will help in hot Australian summers.

Lexus will also install a 7kWh Jetcharge home charger for free along with a number of other perks as part of its Lexus Encore Platinum rewards program.