2026 Lexus RZ Revealed: Steer-by-Wire, Virtual Gear Shifts, and a Much-Needed Do-Over

Let’s be honest. The first-gen Lexus RZ was a bit of a miss. Not a bad car, but in the world of high-priced electric SUVs, it struggled to justify itself. It lacked punch (max 230kW), fell short on real-world range (under 400km if you dared use the air con), and had a price tag that raised eyebrows but didn’t raise pulses. And for a brand like Lexus—long known for craftsmanship and refinement—it all felt a bit… undercooked.

Well, someone at Lexus clearly took the feedback to heart, because the 2026 Lexus RZ range is shaping up to be a proper reboot.

Launching in Australia in the first half of 2026, the new RZ line-up brings not just more power, better range, and a sharper drive, but a fair bit of theatre too. There’s now a flagship 550e F Sport model boasting 300kW, virtual gear shifting, and a steer-by-wire system that ditches the mechanical column in favour of electric wizardry.

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ABOVE: 2026 LEXUS RZ

Finally, Some Guts and Gimmicks

That F Sport will do 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds and offers “Interactive Manual Drive” – which, yes, is exactly what it sounds like: simulated gears, fake revs, paddle shifters, and G-force feedback, all in an EV. It might sound bonkers, but it’s an attempt to give back something electric cars often lack – character.

Even the mid-range 500e models now have 280kW and improved DIRECT4 AWD. A new 77kWh battery and 22kW onboard charger reduce charging times, and expected range is up around 450km depending on spec—finally putting the RZ on a more competitive footing.

A Cabin That Whispers, Not Whines

Inside, Lexus has done its homework. There’s more sound deadening, better trim (hello, laser-cut Ultrasuede®), ambient lighting with shadows that move, and a minimalist cockpit enhanced by the space-saving butterfly steering wheel on steer-by-wire variants.

It’s still very much a Lexus – calming, cocooned, and subtly luxe – but it no longer feels like a hybrid platform being forced to pretend it’s an EV. This version was built electric-first, and it shows.

Righting a Wrong

Let’s be blunt: the previous RZ felt expensive without the performance, and premium without the polish. It fell between two stools: not exciting enough for EV enthusiasts, and not plush enough for Lexus loyalists. This new one? It looks like Lexus has finally brought enough to the table to be taken seriously in a crowded EV SUV space.

Will it finally live up to the brand’s electric promise? We’ll find out in 2026. But this time, it seems Lexus is less interested in ticking boxes, and more focused on making the drive feel meaningful—even if that means simulating a gear shift or ditching the steering column entirely.

NEW RZ SPECIFICATIONS⁴

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