Lexus RZ 500e Direct4 SE (2026) Review

Lexus is the luxury wing of Toyota and, as a result, has always offered a lot more niche product line-ups. The Lexus RZ is a similar case, as it is the brand's first fully electric model in South Africa. Will a fully electric drivetrain be a good fit for a brand such as Lexus? We got our hands on the mid-range RZ 500e Direct4 SE derivative to find out.

Related: Mercedes-Benz GLC 300d 4MATIC AMG Line (2026) Quick Review

But before we get into the details, did you know you can sell your car quickly and easily on our website? You can also search for new or used Lexus RZ models on AutoTrader here. 

Pros

• Exquisite styling
• Extremely well built
• Powerful and surprisingly fun to drive

Cons

• Too many audible beeps while reversing 
• It operates in a seriously small niche locally
• Digital instrument cluster controls are counterintuitive

Styling

Lexus is well known for its timeless designs, combining long, flowing lines with purposeful creases. The RZ follows suit, as the 4 805mm-long, 1 895mm-wide, and 1 635mm-high body incorporates very interesting design elements. One of these elements that grabbed our attention at the rear was the "winglets" at the top. Combined with the overall sporty stance, the RZ truly turns heads on the road. 

Up front, the Lexus has a familiar face, with sharp LED headlamps and daytime running lights. What is rather new is the grille that has been omitted; however, with a clever use of airdams and the lamps, Lexus retained the hourglass shape. Behind those air dams are 20-inch alloy wheels, complemented by dark wheel arch garnishing and dramatic lines along the sides. 

Space and comfort

The interior takes a less dramatic approach, but by no means is it less impressive. The door action is soft but purposeful when opening or closing it, even when done behind you. Speaking of opening the door, from the inside, it isn't lever-action but button-operated, with leather- and suede-clad door cards. The door cards themselves are bathed in a dynamic diamond-shaped ambient light, which truly elevates the premium factor. 

Moving over to the centre console, there are very few buttons: a drive select dial, as well as switches for traction control, the electronic parking brake, and the hill-hold system. Many surfaces are finished in predominantly gloss black trim, which does attract dust, but contrasts with the grey wood texture trim. In front of that is a wireless charging pad, as well as three USB-C ports: two for charging only and one for connecting to the 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system.

This infotainment system is angled towards the driver as part of the Tazuna cockpit layout. It is compatible with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and also serves as the main control hub for vehicle features and the climate control system. Overall, the menus are intuitive, and the responsiveness and resolution are rather good. 

The driver gets their own 7.0-inch configurable digital instrument cluster. This is controlled via the touch-sensitive pads on the multifunction steering wheel. We found the control functions here a little more finicky and recommend configuring this display while stationary, as it requires more attention. But referring back to the build quality and comfort, the suede- and leather-clad, heated and ventilated front seats are very comfortable, and the seating position offers ample leg-, shoulder-, and headroom for both front and rear occupants. There is also a generous 522-litre boot. 

The cabin is ultra-quiet, with almost no road, wind, or vehicle noise entering from the outside. Overall, the cabin is a beautifully crafted and nice place to be. This interior doesn't just compete with some of the fiercest luxury vehicle competitors, but in some instances, even sets some benchmarks, in my opinion.

Performance

The Lexus RZ isn't just dynamic-looking; it has the go to match the show. The two permanent magnet synchronous motors, one on each axle, deliver 280 kW and 537 Nm instantly. In fact, you will sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. However, as electric cars rarely like high speeds, the claimed top speed of 180 km/h was expected. While indeed you will feel the weight of the battery in cornering with the RZ tipping the scales at 2 115 kg kerb, the MacPherson-strut suspension at the front and double-wishbone rear suspension setup at the rear do well to give stability and comfort. It is far more fun to drive than I had anticiapted from a big, luxury Lexus product.

Driving impression

The Lexus does look rather sporty, and if you step on the throttle, you will get a lot of power going to all four wheels; however, that isn't really what this model is about. If you approach the Lexus RZ as a luxury car with enough power to overtake when needed, that is when you get the most out of this model. 

The Lexus plays to the strengths of EV mobility: being quiet, compliant, and confident. Whether you are cruising at 120km/h on the highway or slowly navigating suburban areas, you get the same quiet, comfortable experience, where everything feels solid and luxurious. However, the power is always available, and if you need to overtake, the RZ does it effortlessly. 

Fuel consumption

Considering that the RZ comes fitted with a water-cooled 74.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, the realistic range is closer to 373km rather than the claimed 456km. Add some spirited driving or heavy use of the climate control system, and you can see a slightly shorter range, too. Thankfully, top-ups will go quickly. 

The onboard AC charging is rather good, rated at around 22 kW. On a DC fast charger, Lexus claims 10-80% in about 30 minutes if the battery is preconditioned. Real-world experience varies with charger and battery temperatures, but 30-40 minutes is typical for most sessions on a 60 kW charger.

Safety

The RZ range is yet to be crash tested, but comes with a host of safety features and systems including:

• Pre-Collision System (PCS)
• Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
• Lane Trace Assist (LTA)
• Lane Change Assist (LCA)
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM)
• Safe Exit Assist (SEA)
• Adaptive High-beam System (AHS)
• Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS)
• Road Sign Assist (RSA)
• Driver Monitor Camera
• Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA)
• Intelligent Park Assist / Panoramic View Monitor
• DIRECT4 All-Wheel Drive
• Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Airbags
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with EBD
• Hill-start Assist Control (HAC)
• Traction Control
• Stability Control
• ABS Brakes 
• 8 Airbags

Price

The Lexus RZ comes with a 7-year/105 000km maintenance plan, 7-year/105 000km vehicle warranty, and 8-year/160 000km battery warranty. 

*Pricing correct at time of publishing and is subject to change without prior notice.

Rivals

• Volvo ES90
• BMW iX
• BYD Sealion 7

Verdict

While models such as the Porsche Taycan and the Audi RS e-tron GT have showcased how electric vehicles can be performance cars too, customer sentiment shows that discerning buyers still prefer a combustion engine for sports cars. That is why, when models such as the Lexus RZ come around, it confirms that automakers should play to the strengths of the electric car: being quiet, compliant and comfortable.

Our time with the Lexus RZ has shown that not only Lexus but the Toyota group as a whole understand where these powertrains fit in well. The Japanese automaker has taken a powertrain that fits the luxury segment perfectly and matched it with a vehicle with good styling and a very premium interior. The result is a vehicle that is difficult to fault. 

As a daily commuter or even a luxury car that will see the tar only a few times a week, we would recommend anyone looking for an SUV in this segment to go for a test drive and experience the Lexus RZ for themselves; they might just be convinced, like we are.