{"id":30783,"date":"2023-04-17T13:16:22","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T17:16:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=30783"},"modified":"2023-04-17T13:16:22","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T17:16:22","slug":"payne-lexus-rz-is-a-stylish-familiar-electric-rx-alternative-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2023\/04\/payne-lexus-rz-is-a-stylish-familiar-electric-rx-alternative-2","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Lexus RZ is a stylish, familiar, electric RX alternative"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Encinitas, California<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 My Florida friends call the Lexus RX SUV their official state vehicle because so many retirees drive them around the streets of Naples, Tampa, Orlando and so on. That could be fertile ground for Lexus\u2019s first electric vehicle, the RZ.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Virtually identical to the RX in size and operation, the battery-driven RZ would make a smooth commuter in the metro confines where EVs excel.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/f6f73620-72da-4f94-9735-8dd8139cd081-LexusRZ_fr3-4-beach.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/f6f73620-72da-4f94-9735-8dd8139cd081-LexusRZ_fr3-4-beach.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2023 Lexus RZ options a black hood for a different look.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2023 Lexus RZ options a black hood for a different look.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">And the RZ would get noticed even in the sea of Florida RXs. The Lexus\u2019s L-shaped headlamps, scalloped body panels and horizontal taillight signature are unmistakably Lexus, but RZ design differs in one important way from its RX (and smaller NX) siblings: the giant grille is gone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Darth Vader mask, bug zapper, spindle grille, hourglass. Lexus&#8217;s signature mouth goes by many nicknames, but it\u2019s unnecessary without an air-hungry gas-engine behind it to feed. So Lexus has cleverly painted the nose, giving it a friendlier, anamorphic look \u2014 think raccoon eyes on the base $59,650 Premium model, and an optional German Shepherd look on the $65,150 Luxury trim.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/05c6b760-cda9-4c7c-ba36-d0f4a51b9abd-LexusRZ_fr-black.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/05c6b760-cda9-4c7c-ba36-d0f4a51b9abd-LexusRZ_fr-black.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The grille-less 2023 Lexus RZ with black hood graphic.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The grille-less 2023 Lexus RZ with black hood graphic.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">It\u2019s very effective, at once making the nose less severe but also instantly recognizable as an EV. The car got noticed here in California, where Silicon Valley-birthed Tesla dominates the electric car segment. The blunt noses of Model Y and Model 3 EVs are a common sight in tony suburbs like Encinitas north of San Diego.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Indeed, the Tesla twins were the best-selling vehicles in California last year, staking out the moral green high ground that the Toyota Prius occupied 20 years ago.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Prius \u2014 aka Pious \u2014 was the first vehicle to mine upscale greens\u2019 desire for battery-powered vehicles. All the cool kids had them, and Leo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz drove them to the Oscars. Since then, hybrids have become more mainstream (today, the Toyota RAV4 hybrid outsells the Prius) and Tesla is the new darling of the chic crowd.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Unlike Prius (and the RX hybrid that soon followed in 2003), Lexus-Toyota has been less aggressive about entering the EV market. EVs are a very different animal from hybrids, which simply extend the range of gas-engines using the same, ubiquitous gas infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Unlike Prius, Toyota-Lexus (and its brand competitors) sees EVs as a luxury purchase. A second or third car in the household used for local commutes. RZ is built on the same battery platform as the Toyota bZ4x and Subaru Solterra \u2014 and like those carriages, Lexus believes the RZ will appeal to green hybrid customers already loyal to the brand and willing to pay a few bucks more for the latest green fashion. The same goes for Toyota\u2019s hybrid buyers and for Subaru\u2019s environmentally-conscious base.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I like the RZ\u2019s chances.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/9e280dc3-cfe5-47ba-8730-8dde9a51a0c5-LexusRZ_rr3-4-road.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/9e280dc3-cfe5-47ba-8730-8dde9a51a0c5-LexusRZ_rr3-4-road.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2023 Lexus RZ makes for a distinctive look on-road.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2023 Lexus RZ makes for a distinctive look on-road.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Whereas the Toyota (which I tested on the same roads here last fall) and the Subie are significantly different than their family lineup in operation and price, RZ is a natural extension of the brand\u2019s popular RX and NX gas SUVs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">And RZ has an electronic yoke steering wheel. Ooooh.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">COVID-19 Update<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Updates on how the coronavirus is affecting your community and the nation<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Varies<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\"><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">While inferior to their gas counterparts in utility, EVs in the luxe class have proved alluring when they have paired innovation with electric power. Much of my Tesla Model 3\u2019s range shortcomings are made up for by its innovation: over-the-air updates, automated driving, big touchscreen, voice commands, Summon, self-park and so on. Other EVs have followed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Innovation makes the 10-grand price premium and range anxiety easier to swallow. RZ and Model Y competitors in the $60K range like the Cadillac Lyriq (jumbotron screen &amp; light show), Genesis GV60 (Summon-like, remote self-park), Kia EV6 GT (gobsmacking acceleration) and Ford F-150 Lightning (mega-frunk) have all wowed with their own gizmos.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/391a98e1-9c34-41c0-beb6-efed8387c7da-LexusRZ_int-yoke.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/391a98e1-9c34-41c0-beb6-efed8387c7da-LexusRZ_int-yoke.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The interior of the 2023 Lexus RZ looks familiar to Lexus RX buyers - except for an optional yoke steering wheel.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The interior of the 2023 Lexus RZ looks familiar to Lexus RX buyers - except for an optional yoke steering wheel.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The yoke steering wheel is hardly new to the segment (see Tesla), but Lexus advances the idea in RZ by making it electric. Where conventional steering wheels (including Tesla\u2019s yoke) require 540-degree rotation to maneuver a car, RZ\u2019s e-steering does the trick with 140 degrees.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">This is a variable steering wheel that adapts to your speed. I maneuvered through a Carlsbad parking lot with smaller inputs than a regular wheel. No arm-crossing, no muscle required. At speed over SoCal\u2019s twisty secondary byways, the wheel required familiar inputs while giving me an unobstructed view of the instrument display and road beyond.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Lexus hasn\u2019t put a date to when the yoke will go on sale, but journalist guinea pigs got extensive time with the system here. Like Tesla\u2019s Full Self-Driving system, I\u2019d recommend it to the adventurous.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/2eb4ba3f-18bf-4906-9d40-dbc832366477-LexusRZ_joke.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/2eb4ba3f-18bf-4906-9d40-dbc832366477-LexusRZ_joke.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"&quot;Tell me a joke.&quot; The 2023 Lexus RZ has a sense of humor and will tell you jokes if asked.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"&quot;Tell me a joke.&quot; The 2023 Lexus RZ has a sense of humor and will tell you jokes if asked.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The Lexus also has a sense of humor like Tesla (whoopie cushions, Plaid mode, etc.). \u201cHey, Lexus, tell me a joke,\u201d I said to the SUV as if talking to a buddy in the locker room.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">\u201cWhy can\u2019t you trust trees?\u201d said a voice from the screen. \u201cBecause they are shady.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-4\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">New toys and nose aside, RZ is similar to the RX, adapting the latter\u2019s latest (and much improved) touchscreen and climate knobs. There are standard features galore. Wireless Apple CarPlay\/Android Auto, wireless charging, interior mood lighting, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot assist, all-wheel drive, panoramic roof, the works. Step up to the Luxury trim and the pano roof goes opaque with the touch of a button. Alas, no frunk or glovebox for added storage. And no wood or leather so as not to offend green morals.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/193b281f-d50e-4d76-b7bd-633f01e69085-LexusRZ_front.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/193b281f-d50e-4d76-b7bd-633f01e69085-LexusRZ_front.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"No frunk. The 2023 Lexus RZ puts an electric motor up front (with a rear motor for AWD) but offers no additional cargo space there.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"No frunk. The 2023 Lexus RZ puts an electric motor up front (with a rear motor for AWD) but offers no additional cargo space there.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">To let you know it\u2019s a Lexus, RZ gets a rotary shifter and a bigger front motor than its Toyota sibling. It makes for brisk acceleration, if not the face-flattening torque of a Mercedes EQE or Tesla.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Perhaps most impressive, my RZ tester promises better range than advertised. Most EVs disappoint their owners by getting (I\u2019ll use my Tesla as an example) 80% of range unless driven in perfect, 55-mph conditions. I flogged RZ around SoCal for 27 miles and took just 19 miles off the battery in 50-degree temps.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/ef61c8d0-a2e0-48ca-b991-cc93f89dee9b-LexusRZ_gauge.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gannett-cdn.com\/presto\/2023\/04\/10\/PDTN\/ef61c8d0-a2e0-48ca-b991-cc93f89dee9b-LexusRZ_gauge.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"In a test, the 2023 Lexus RZ got better mileage than advertised.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"In a test, the 2023 Lexus RZ got better mileage than advertised.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">That made for a potential 250 miles of range rather than the advertised 196. That\u2019s still a shadow of the RX Hybrid\u2019s 600-mile capability, but it\u2019s Lexus\u2019s way of saying: electric vehicles are for plugging in at your house and driving locally.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">If you\u2019re one of the 25% of Lexus RX buyers who choose a hybrid and drive to Florida every winter in your RX, you might stick with the gas model. But if you fly back and forth and keep a car at your second home for trips to Naples beaches, consider an RZ.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-5\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Install a charger, charge at night, glide along the Tamiami strip. And when your lease is up? Trade it in for the yoke steering wheel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Next week: 2024 Subaru Crosstrek<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><strong><a class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\" href=\"https:\/\/media.lexus.co.uk\/vehicles\/rz\/\" data-t-l=\":b|e|k|${u}\">2023 Lexus RZ<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Vehicle type: Battery-powered, all-wheel-drive five-passenger SUV<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Price: $59,650, including $1,150 destination fee ($63,415 Premium and $67,300 Luxury models as tested)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Powerplant: 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery with dual electric-motors<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Power: 309 horsepower, 435 pound-feet torque<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Transmission: Single-speed direct drive<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Performance: 0-60 mph, 5.1 seconds (mfr. est.); top speed, 99 mph<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Weight: 4,662 pounds (Luxury model as tested)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Fuel economy: EPA MPGe NA; range, 220 miles (18-inch wheels), 196 miles (20-inch wheels as tested)<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-6\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Report card<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Highs: More pleasing Lexus styling; standard tech features galore<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Lows: No date on yoke steering wheel yet; lacks faster-charging capability of competitors<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Overall: 3 stars<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Encinitas, California\u00a0\u2014 My Florida friends call the Lexus RX SUV their official state vehicle because so many retirees drive them around the streets of Naples, Tampa, Orlando and so on. That could be fertile ground for Lexus\u2019s first electric vehicle, the RZ. Virtually identical to the RX in size and operation, the battery-driven RZ would [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30783"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30783"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30783\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30784,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30783\/revisions\/30784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}