The 2026 Lexus RZ finally plugs in.
A new eAxle, a new lithium-ion battery, a native NACS port, Tesla Supercharger access, Plug & Charge, and a new 402-hp F SPORT with virtual paddle-shift gear simulation. The RZ that launched in 2023 is not the RZ you can buy in 2026.
Video reviews from MikesCarInfo
A full daytime walkthrough and a dedicated night review. Skip the night review at your own risk — the new RZ Luxury's animated door illumination and front-badge lighting are best understood after dark.
2026 RZ trims and pricing
Six configurations across three powertrains: a single-motor 221-hp 350e for range, a dual-motor 308-hp 450e for balance, and a 402-hp 550e F SPORT for performance. All prices include the $1,295 destination and handling fee.
RZ 350e
The range play. Front-wheel drive, the longest legs in the lineup.
The entry RZ skips the rear motor for a 221-hp single-motor setup, and in return delivers the lineup's longest range — approximately 301 miles on 18-inch wheels. That's 44 more miles than the 450e Luxury on 20s, and it costs $11,000 less.
The trade is acceleration and traction, not equipment. The 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen, full Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, wireless CarPlay, NACS port, and Plug & Charge all come standard. If you live somewhere that snow isn't a factor and you want maximum miles per charge for the dollar, this is the smart pick.
- 221 hp / 165 kW single front motor
- ~301 mi EPA range on 18-in wheels
- 74.69 kWh battery with 11 kW onboard charger
- 14-inch touchscreen with cloud nav and Intelligent Assistant
- NuLuxe upholstery with heated front seats
- Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 standard across the lineup
- 18-inch alloy wheels in dark gray and machined finish
RZ 350e Premium
The 350e with the comfort and parking tech bumped up.
Premium adds the front radiant heater (an under-dash leg warmer that's genuinely useful in cold mornings), the 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor, and unlocks the Technology Package (Digital Key, Digital Rearview Mirror, 10-inch HUD) and Convenience Package (Advanced Park, Lane Change Assist, Traffic Jam Assist).
$2,200 over the base 350e gets you most of the daily-use upgrades that matter. The packages are where the real value sits.
- Front radiant heater (under-dash legs)
- Panoramic View Monitor 360-degree camera
- Power rear door with kick sensor
- Auto-folding heated mirrors with reverse tilt-down
- Technology Package available (HUD, Digital Mirror, Digital Key)
- Convenience Package available (Advanced Park, Traffic Jam Assist)
RZ 450e AWD
The dual-motor sweet spot. DIRECT4 AWD and 308 hp.
Adding the rear eAxle turns the 350e into the 450e: 308 total horsepower, DIRECT4 all-wheel drive with revised front-to-rear torque logic, and a 4.9-second 0-60 time. Range drops to 264 miles on 18s, 257 on 20s.
For most buyers in most climates, this is the right starting point. The DIRECT4 system runs from 60:40 to 0:100 front-rear during straight-line driving, then shifts to 80:20 to 0:100 during cornering for sharper turn-in.
- 308 hp / 230 kW dual-motor AWD
- 0-60 in 4.9 sec, top speed 112 mph
- DIRECT4 AWD with revised torque distribution
- ~264 mi range on 18-in wheels (~257 on 20s)
- Dealer-installed performance upgrade available: 375 hp, 4.3 sec 0-60, $1,750
- Same standard tech as 350e base
RZ 450e Premium AWD
The volume play. AWD plus the Premium content set.
Premium AWD is the practical sweet spot of the entire lineup. You get the dual-motor powertrain, the front radiant heater, the 360 camera, the kick-sensor rear hatch, and access to both option packages — all for $5,300 less than the Luxury trim.
If you can live without the standard Mark Levinson and Ultrasuede, you can option this one to within a Digital Key's reach of the Luxury for thousands less.
- 308 hp AWD with DIRECT4
- Front radiant heater and Panoramic View Monitor standard
- Power rear door with kick sensor
- Technology Package available (HUD, Digital Mirror, Digital Key)
- Convenience Package available (Advanced Park, Traffic Jam Assist)
- Cold Area Package available (headlamp washers, wiper de-icer)
RZ 450e Luxury AWD
Everything Lexus makes for the RZ, except the F SPORT badge.
Luxury throws the entire RZ feature catalog at the buyer. Mark Levinson 13-speaker 1,800W audio, Ultrasuede seats with rear-outboard heating, the 10-inch HUD, Digital Rearview Mirror, Advanced Park with Remote Park, the full Traffic Jam Assist ADAS suite, Digital Key, and the Thematic Ambient Illumination with the animated door trim shadow pattern that's the cabin's signature party trick at night.
At $58,295, this is the value play of the entire premium midsize EV SUV class — you get content that competitors charge $65,000-$80,000 for. The catch is range. 257 miles on the standard 20s trails the BMW iX3, Audi Q6 e-tron, and Acura ZDX meaningfully.
- Mark Levinson 13-speaker 1,800W PurePlay Surround Sound, standard
- Heated Ultrasuede front and rear outboard seats
- 10-inch color HUD and Digital Rearview Mirror, standard
- Advanced Park with Remote Park, Lane Change Assist, Traffic Jam Assist
- Digital Key (phone-as-key via Bluetooth)
- Animated Door Trim Shadow Illumination, Luxury-exclusive
- Acoustic front and rear side glass for cabin quietness
- 20-in alloys in Gray Metallic finish
- Dynamic Sky panoramic glass roof standard
RZ 550e F SPORT AWD
402 hp, virtual paddle-shift gears, simulated engine sound. Priced like the Luxury.
The F SPORT is the most interesting story in the lineup. New high-output front and rear eAxles deliver 402 horsepower total. 0-60 drops to 4.1 seconds. The chassis gets stiffer damping and unique spring rates. The exterior gains black F SPORT moldings, 20-inch aero-cover wheels, and an exclusive Wind paint color.
The headline feature is M Mode: a Lexus-first virtual 8-speed transmission simulation. Paddle shifters control simulated gear ratios that mix throttle input with virtual engine torque, accompanied by piped-in engine and exhaust sound through the speakers and a shift indicator in the cluster. It is bizarre, theatrical, and surprisingly committed.
Same money as the Luxury. Pick your priority.
- 402 hp / 300 kW dual high-output motors
- 0-60 in 4.1 sec, top speed 112 mph
- M Mode virtual 8-speed with paddle shifters and simulated engine sound
- Tuned suspension with revised damper and spring rates
- 76.96 kWh battery — slightly larger than 350e/450e
- ~229 mi range on 20-in aero wheels
- Black Ultrasuede interior with blue stitching, F SPORT badge, aluminum pedals
- Luxury Package available adds Mark Levinson, Digital Key, Digital Mirror
- Blue brake calipers and Wind exterior color available
The RZ 450e Luxury AWD and the RZ 550e F SPORT AWD are priced identically at $58,295. Same money buys either the fully-loaded luxury content set with Mark Levinson, Ultrasuede, and the 360 camera — or 402 horsepower, the M Mode virtual gearbox, and the sport-tuned chassis. Pick the priority. Lexus does not let you have both at this price.
Complete specifications
All three RZ powertrains share the same body and chassis hardware. Differences are in motor output, battery size, and trim-specific content.
How the RZ stacks up
The premium midsize EV SUV class is the most crowded battlefield in the luxury market in 2026. Here is how a fully-loaded RZ Luxury at $58,295 lines up against its direct cross-shops.
| Spec | 2026 Lexus RZ Luxury | BMW iX3 50 xDrive | Audi Q6 e-tron quattro | Acura ZDX A-Spec | Genesis GV60 Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $58,295 | ~$60,000 | ~$65,000 | ~$65,000 | ~$70,000 |
| Horsepower | 308 hp | ~400+ hp | 456 hp | 358 hp | 429 hp |
| 0-60 mph | 4.9 sec | ~4.7 sec | 4.9 sec | 4.9 sec | 3.7 sec |
| EPA Range | ~257 mi (20-in) | ~400 mi | ~307 mi | ~313 mi | ~235 mi |
| DC fast charge peak | ~150 kW | 400 kW | ~270 kW | ~190 kW | ~240 kW |
| Charging port | NACS native | NACS native | CCS (adapter) | NACS native | CCS (adapter) |
| Top audio (standard) | Mark Levinson 13-spk | Harman Kardon (opt) | Bang & Olufsen (opt) | Bang & Olufsen 18-spk | Bang & Olufsen (opt) |
| Drive Mode customization | ECO/Normal/Sport/Range/Custom | Standard plus iX3 specific modes | Standard 4-mode | Snow/Sport/Normal | Drift Mode |
| Tow rating | Not rated | ~4,400 lb | ~4,400 lb | Not rated | Not rated |
| Assembly | Motomachi, Japan | Debrecen, Hungary | Ingolstadt, Germany | Spring Hill, TN, USA | Ulsan, South Korea |
| EV warranty | 8 yr / 100,000 mi battery | 8 yr / 100,000 mi | 8 yr / 100,000 mi | 8 yr / 100,000 mi | 10 yr / 100,000 mi |
The RZ Luxury wins on price, standard audio content, and the Lexus dealer/reliability story. It loses on range, peak charging speed, and pure output. If you put range and 400 kW charging at the top of your list, the new BMW iX3 Neue Klasse is the benchmark. If you want a fully-loaded luxury EV for the lowest sticker in the segment, the RZ Luxury is the answer.
What the RZ does well — and what it doesn't
A direct list. No marketing copy on either side.
- Native NACS port with Tesla Supercharger access and Plug & Charge support — rare at this price.
- 11 kW onboard AC charger speeds up home Level 2 charging meaningfully versus the prior 7 kW unit.
- Mark Levinson 13-speaker audio is standard on Luxury — competitors charge thousands for similar systems.
- Cabin is genuinely quiet thanks to acoustic glass, body bracing, and rear floor silencer.
- Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 is standard on every trim, including the $47,295 base 350e.
- Built at Motomachi in Japan, the same plant as the LFA, LC, and LX. Build quality is exceptional.
- F SPORT M Mode is a legitimately committed take on EV character — love it or hate it, it's not half-measures.
- Lexus dealer experience and reliability reputation are real differentiators against German rivals.
- 257-mile range on the Luxury's 20-inch wheels is below class average. The new BMW iX3 hits ~400 miles.
- Peak DC fast charge speed lags 800-volt rivals significantly. ~30 min to 10-80% is fine but not best in class.
- Instrument cluster is small and conventional. Competitors use wide panoramic OLED displays.
- No tow rating from Lexus. Q6 e-tron and iX3 are both rated for ~4,400 lb.
- No frunk. Front cargo storage is not part of the RZ design.
- F SPORT's 229-mile range makes long-distance use frustrating.
- Drive Connect, Digital Key, and Plug & Charge all depend on the Remote Connect subscription after the 3-year trial.
- Traffic Jam Assist tops out at 25 mph — useful in stop-and-go, but rivals offer hands-free at higher speeds.
Which RZ should you buy?
Six trims, but most people only need to look at three of them.
The range-first commuter
You drive in a mild climate, don't need AWD, and you want the most miles per charge for the lowest entry price. 301 miles and a $47,295 sticker make this the smartest pick in the lineup for buyers who treat the RZ as a long-haul daily.
The pragmatic family buyer
You need AWD for weather, you want the 360 camera and front radiant heater, and you don't need Mark Levinson or Ultrasuede. Spec the Technology and Convenience packages and you're within striking distance of the Luxury for several thousand less.
The luxury cross-shopper
You're comparing this against the Audi Q6 e-tron, BMW iX3, and Acura ZDX in the $58k-$70k bracket. The RZ Luxury is the value play of that group — Mark Levinson, Ultrasuede, HUD, full ADAS all standard. You give up range to get a fully-loaded car for less money.
The character-first driver
You like EVs but you miss engine sound, gear changes, and a chassis with attitude. The F SPORT's 402-hp output, virtual M Mode 8-speed, simulated exhaust, and tuned suspension are a genuinely committed swing at giving an EV personality. 229 miles of range is the trade.
The pure-utility AWD buyer
You need dual-motor traction for winter driving, you don't care about HUDs, Digital Mirrors, or upgraded audio, and you want to stay under $51k. The base 450e AWD is unusual in this segment — entry-level pricing with a proper dual-motor setup.
The numbers-game shopper
The dealer-installed performance accessory bumps the 450e to 375 hp, 280 kW, and a 4.3-second 0-60 with no range penalty. For $1,750 it closes most of the gap to the F SPORT's output without spending the F SPORT money or losing range.
FAQ
Is the 2026 RZ a new generation or a refresh?
It's technically the same generation as the 2023-2025 RZ, but the changes are extensive enough that Lexus is treating it as a relaunch. New eAxle, new battery, new charging architecture (native NACS), bigger onboard charger, revised DIRECT4, body rigidity upgrades, and a new top trim. Functionally, it's a different car.
Can I use Tesla Superchargers without an adapter?
Yes. The 2026 RZ has a native SAE J3400 NACS port on the passenger side. No adapter needed for Tesla Superchargers. Plug & Charge handles authentication automatically after a one-time setup in the Lexus app. CCS1 and J1772 adapters are included for older non-NACS networks.
What if I own a 2023-2025 RZ?
Lexus is sending letters to 2023-25 RZ owners starting November 2025 directing them to their dealer to receive one complimentary CCS-to-NACS adapter. The adapter is Lexus-branded and warranty-backed. Apple Maps EV Routing via CarPlay is also available retroactively on all 2023+ RZs.
Can the RZ tow a trailer?
No. Lexus does not publish a tow rating for any RZ trim. If towing is part of your use case, the Audi Q6 e-tron quattro and BMW iX3 50 xDrive are both rated for approximately 4,400 lb.
Why is the F SPORT priced the same as the Luxury?
Lexus is forcing buyers to choose between two distinct equipment paths at the same price point. The Luxury is the fully-loaded comfort and tech build with Mark Levinson and Ultrasuede. The F SPORT is the performance build with M Mode, tuned chassis, and 402 hp. To get both, you must add the F SPORT's Luxury Package as an option.
What's the dealer-installed performance upgrade?
For $1,750 MSRP, Lexus dealers can install a software upgrade on the RZ 450e AWD that increases output to 375 hp / 280 kW and drops 0-60 to approximately 4.3 seconds, with no impact on range. It will be available later in the 2026 model year. It does not turn a 450e into a 550e — the F SPORT's chassis tuning, M Mode, and styling are still exclusive.
Does the RZ have a frunk?
No. There is no front cargo compartment under the hood. All cargo space is in the rear behind the second-row seats.
Where is the RZ built?
At the Motomachi plant in Japan, which also produces the LC, LFA, and LX. Build quality is a real differentiator versus rivals built in Hungary, Germany, or the United States.
Which Lexus subscriptions matter for the RZ?
Three matter. Remote Connect (3-year trial) enables Digital Key and Plug & Charge. Drive Connect (3-year trial) enables Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, and the Traffic Jam Assist hands-free ADAS feature. Safety Connect runs on a 5-year trial. After the trials expire, these become paid subscriptions.
Is the 2026 RZ eligible for EV tax credits?
The RZ is assembled in Japan, which has historically affected federal tax credit eligibility for U.S. buyers. Check the current IRS clean vehicle credit list and your state's incentive program before finalizing a purchase — rules change.
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