Lexus knew the old RZ landed with all the grace of a tipsy aunt in six-inch stellies.
A quick fix is a discount, a huge one. In the US, prices for the updated 2026 range have been macheted by up to US$25,000, or about A$42,000. A wound that deep is either Lexus reading the room or the CEO recovering from a panic attack. Probably the latter. The posh brand has also added more power, more range, and its ludicrously naff yoke steering setup. These are much more expensive tweaks. Carmakers do not make changes on that scale unless they are scrambling to fix catastrophic misjudgements, and Lexus is not known for putting a foot wrong. Sadly they may have made it worse. Like Hyundai’s electronic side mirrors, Lexus’ yoke steering is trying to fix a problem that did not exist, likely creating a new one in the process.
The History
To understand where the RZ is going, you have to remember where she came from. The e-TNGA platform, amusingly rebadged by Subaru as the e-Subaru Global Platform, gave us three deeply inadequate siblings: Toyota bZ4X, Subaru Solterra, and Lexus RZ. Despite the rugged cosplay of the Subaru and the Lexus trying to distract us with posh radiant knee heaters, the family resemblance was hard to miss. In fact, Solterra and bZ4X are badge changes only. Sluggish charging, middling range, and a general feeling that the whole lot turned up late to the electric party wearing a couple of glow worms over its nipples and calling it art.
The Sad Facts
Australia’s EV market is now getting along at a cracking pace, helped by Trump’s demented tanties causing Middle East chaos. EV share hit a record 14.6% in March 2026, according to VFACTS data and the Electric Vehicle Council. Against that backdrop, Toyota’s electric flagship, the bZ4X, managed a paltry 447 sales for the month. Better than before, certainly, but still a teardrop in the ocean of Tesla Model Y sales, with 2,818 shifted. Lexus RZ and Subaru Solterra have been positively soporific, trying to make themselves heard over the incoming conga line of sharper, quicker, cheaper Chinese alternatives like the BYD Sealion 7. In fact, BYD and other Chinese brands are also out-hybriding the hybrid king itself, let alone leading the EV slaughter.
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ABOVE: The updated Lexus RZ range outside and the controversial yoke inside
Despite Toyota’s deluded forecasts for 5,000 deliveries in 2026, the platform twins face a steep climb as search activity for rival EVs triples. These models will fight for relevance while the rest of the market electrifies at high speed, and in a much more coherent way.
Toyota boss acknowledged that the company is on the kids despite keeping a grip on the top spot, depending on whom you’re talking to, right? In fact, Koji Sato says the OEM may not survive unless it changes. He smells blood in the water, so the glacial legacy brands are all scrambling at a pace they’re completely unaccustomed to. They’re used to calling their own shots but alas it is devolving into a change-or-die scenario. See the Denza table further down if you want a good laugh.
Is RZ improved?
A heavily updated RZ range will arrive in local showrooms in May. The urgent Band-Aids center on a major mechanical overhaul that addresses the hopeless range and completely inadequate power concerns of the original model. While the “Lexus Driving Signature” remains the marketing spivery, the line in big blousy lights is a new battery system, much higher outputs, and a yoke steering wheel that is destined to become the most talked-about cabin feature of the year. Let’s talk yokes later.
The new lineup opens with the RZ 500e Luxury at princely $84,500 plus on-roads. That’s a ballsy move considering the gorgeous IM6 Performance is around this money. This variant replaces the outgoing 450e and delivers a 50kW power increase, bringing total system output to 280kW, slightly behind the 572kW IM6. For those seeking more of that Japanese opulence, the RZ 500e Sports Luxury sits at $91,000, sharing the same 280kW powertrain but adding premium finishes and a high-end Mark Levinson sound system.
Range and Charging Boost
The most critical update for Australian buyers is the redesigned 74.7kWh lithium-ion battery (IM6 = 100kWh NMC, Denza 122.5kw Blade 2). This new pack increases WLTP driving range to 460km (Denza is around 1036km), a 16 per cent improvement over the previous model. Lexus has also listened to feedback regarding charging speeds; the AC charging capacity has doubled to 22kW, allowing for a full charge in roughly 3.5 hours at home with a compatible wallbox.
The front and rear eAxles have also been refined to deliver power more efficiently, contributing to a quieter cabin that remains the gold standard for serenity. Even when you are pinning the throttle to utilize that 280kW output, the RZ remains whisper-quiet, provided you haven’t turned on the fake engine noises to pretend you are in an LFA.
How it stacks up on paper
| Model | Price | Battery | Range | Power | Max DC Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus RZ 300e | about $112,000 | 71.4kWh | 480km | 150kW | 150kW |
| Lexus RZ 450e | about $123,000 | 71.4kWh | 395km | 230kW | 150kW |
| IM5 Platinum | $69,990 | 100.0kWh | 655km | 300kW | 396kW |
| IM6 Performance | $80,990 | 100.0kWh | 505km | 572kW | 396kW |
The Steer-by-Wire Yoke
You’d think Lexus would want to take this one carefully. Instead, the $105,000 RZ 550e F Sport is where Lexus takes its biggest technical gamble. It introduces the brand’s first “steer-by-wire” system, which replaces the physical steering column with electronic signals. What could possibly go wrong? The yoke only requires 200 degrees of rotation from lock to lock. It eliminates hand-over-hand turning entirely, providing a futuristic, fighter-pilot experience that will likely divide customers into love-it or hate-it camps. I suspect it would be short-lived. Like Full Self Driving, it is a daft idea very far from maturity. I haven’t driven it, that’s true. And?
To add to the theatre, the F Sport features “Interactive Manual Drive.” This system simulates an eight-speed manual gearbox in an EV, using paddle shifters on the yoke to mimic gear changes through throttle mapping and artificial motor sounds. It is a somewhat strange attempt to bring internal combustion engagement to the electric era, though it may feel like a weird gimmick to some (or most). Lexus is trying to be everything to everyone but is likely to please no body on this one.
The Chinese Elephant in the Room
Despite these advancements, Lexus faces a challenging landscape. High-end Chinese premium brands are currently offering 800V charging architectures, sub-four-second sprint times, and significantly larger batteries for $30,000 to $40,000 less than the RZ 550e. While Lexus bank on their famous build quality and local service reputation, the raw spec-sheet battle is like a big bowl of quicksand. Brands like IM, Zeekr and Xiaomi are currently pumping out premium EVs that are faster, charge twice as quick, and come loaded with more screens than a sports bar. You are paying a premium for that allegedly bulletproof build quality and a dealership experience where they are rumored to know your name.
Denza’s GT arrives with 1500kw charging, 10 times faster than the Lexus. The new Blade battery will make most current EVs look a bit last week and although there is no pricing, if it is anywhere in the Lexus RZ range, competition will be non-existent. The rest of the figure speak for themselves.
| Feature | Lexus RZ range | DENZA Z9 GT |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | $84,500 to $105,000 plus on-road costs | Estimated about $80,000 to $130,000 |
| Power | 280kW to 313kW | Up to 850kW |
| 0-100km/h | 4.6 to 4.4 seconds | 2.7 seconds |
| Battery Size | 74.7kWh to 77.0kWh | 122.5kWh |
| Range | 437km to 460km WLTP | Up to 1,036km CLTC |
| AC Charging | 22kW | Not yet confirmed |
| DC Charging | Not clearly highlighted in your copy | Up to 1,500kW FLASH |
| Steering | Traditional wheel or steer-by-wire yoke | Not yet confirmed |
| Vehicle Type | Premium electric SUV | Luxury electric shooting brake |
The RZ 600e Halo
Looking further ahead, the flagship RZ 600e F Sport Performance is will make late 2026 arrival. This limited-edition model boosts output to 313kW and sits 20mm lower on 21-inch ENKEI wheels. It features a carbon roof and aggressive aero parts, including a two-tiered rear wing and a vented hood. Pricing for this halo model will be confirmed closer to its exclusive Australian launch. Still well behind the IM6.
Despite the increasing lag behind the competition, Lexus has tried desperately to turn the RZ into a much more competitive package by fixing the core range and charging issues. Whether the controversial yoke and the premium price tag will win over buyers currently being courted by faster, cheaper rivals remains to be seen. It offers the futuristic tech of a silicon valley startup but wraps it in the obsessive material quality of a Japanese temple.
Technical specifications and pricing
| Feature | RZ 500e Luxury | RZ 500e Sports Luxury | RZ 550e F Sport | RZ 600e Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price MSRP | $84,500 | $91,000 | $105,000 | TBC limited edition |
| Powertrain | Dual-motor AWD | Dual-motor AWD | Dual-motor AWD | Dual-motor AWD |
| Total power | 280kW | 280kW | 300kW | 313kW |
| 0 to 100kmh | 4.6 sec | 4.6 sec | 4.4 sec | 4.4 sec |
| Battery size | 74.7kWh | 74.7kWh | 77.0kWh | 77.0kWh |
| Range | 460km WLTP | 460km WLTP | 437km WLTP | 525km WLTC |
| AC charging | 22kW | 22kW | 22kW | 22kW |
| Steering | Traditional wheel | Traditional wheel | Steer-by-wire yoke | Steer-by-wire yoke |
| Key tech | 14-inch touchscreen | Mark Levinson audio | Manual simulation | Carbon aero kit |
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Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.
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