Lexus RZ 300e Premium Plus review

Lexus RZ450e

Lexus RZ 300e Premium Plus review.

For – handsome, high quality, terrific drive, competitively priced.
Against – not enough range.
***** versus other EVs *** versus ICE
Price – £54,595
Competition – Volvo EX30, Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, Skoda Enyaq

The Lexus RZ 300e is a fabulous car to drive and handsome with it. It oozed quality and was as well-equipped as it’s possible to be, although I expected four-wheel drive. The RZ 300e wafted over our 3^rd world roads. I loved those little extras like the head-up display, powered tailgate and memory-seats.

But it is all-electric and it’s impossible to hide the drawbacks (although many of my media colleagues do their best), especially when you plan a long journey. My test run wasn’t too arduous, but it illustrated the problem perfectly.

The first part was about 40 miles over rolling Sussex roads to Winchester. I clicked on to maximum regenerative braking using the flippers behind the steering wheel. Result? The range offered was more or less exactly what the drive used up. 

Lexus RZ450e

EVs don’t like hills
The second part of the journey was northwards up a motorway. The A34 towards the M4 is gradually uphill, a mode that the RZ 300e doesn’t like (like all EVs) if you maintain legal but high speeds in the fast lane. The range offered was decimated by well over 40%. The return journey over the same terrain – gradually downhill – removed just over 20% of the promised range. The return journey over the A272 was about neutral. 

I double-checked this data over another similar motorway test route, and this removed 65% of range on the way up and just under 20% on the way back. I’ve done this test with more than 30 EVs, so it’s no surprise to me, but seems to rile EV zealots. Have EV champions been issued with special electronic blinkers, which generate a shock when the wearer expresses some honest doubts about their all-round qualities.

I’d love to have one except of course when visiting Geneva
Nevertheless, the RZ 300e was a joy to drive. I’d love to have one, except of course when visiting friends in Geneva or Barcelona. The steering was tight and accurate, with a small steering wheel which exaggerates a feeling of control and accuracy. Everything in the cockpit felt perfectly placed. You will feel at home right from the start. In the week that I used the RZ 300e, the radio and satnav remained a mystery, although I managed to persuade it to play my music through Apple Car Play and set up my phone. I successfully ignited the satnav for my outward journey but couldn’t for the life of me make it work on the way back. This could be because of poor design, or my senior weakness with all things IT. 

Lexus RZ450e

The interior was of high quality but it was a tad drab. I expected a bit more pizzazz. The boot wasn’t golf friendly. I still marvel at my little Honda Jazz, which takes a golf bag east-west, but a comparatively huge vehicle like the RZ 300e requires a rear seat to be folded down. 

Another unanswered question
The RZ 300e had a new design for opening the doors from the inside. You just press on the door and it opens, rather than manipulating a handle. This did generate a paranoid moment when I approached a “Weak Bridge”. How could I open the door in my overweight EV if it collapsed the bridge? It didn’t, so another question remains unanswered.

Lexus is offering four grades of the RZ 300e – Urban, Premium, Premium Plus and Takumi RZ, which suggests to me that Toyota’s luxury arm might at last be getting serious about sales in Europe. Lexus sold 355,606 vehicles in the U.S. last year and only 69,202 in Europe.   

Prices start at £49,995 and range up to £61,095 for the top Takumi bi-tone. Even the base model is exceptionally well-equipped. No doubt they all share the irritating binging and bonging of the Premium Plus, although I did note that its safety systems didn’t include that intrusive “tug” of inferior steering correction systems. Very subtle. The Takumi offers such extravagant features as “Ultrasuede upholstery, 64-color ambient lighting, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound Audi system and a dimmable panoramic roof”. No idea.

Lexus RZ450e

The RZ 450e series has all-wheel drive. 

What to buy?
This part of the market is packed with hugely impressive EVs. I mention the Volvo EX30, Ioniq 5. Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, and Skoda Enyaq. There must be a dozen other compelling competitors, including lower-end BMWs, Mercedes and Audis. The Lexus is a powerful brand now which would differentiate it. Its comfort, quality and wafting ride might win over customers. 

How do you justify spending around £50,000 on a sedan or SUV which displays cutting edge quality, styling and performance but which can’t handle a long journey without generating much range angst? I can’t. Buy a plug-in hybrid if you’re in the £50,000 market.  

Lexus RZ450e