Model research hub
Lexus RZ
Car and Driver says its biggest gripes with the RZ electric compact SUV had centered on its lack of pep and limited electric driving range, but Lexus addressed both for 2026: the base model, renamed from RZ300e to RZ350e, now delivers 221 horsepower (20 more than before) and an EPA-rated range of 301 miles (34 miles more than last year), while a new top-trim RZ550e F Sport joins the lineup with a whopping 402 horsepower and aesthetic tweaks including a rear spoiler, a different front grille, 20-inch wheels, and unique interior materials. Titling its test 'Takes a Mulligan,' Car and Driver says the highs include bank-vault cabin isolation, a newfound skip in its step, and better range than pre-2026 models, with Lexus rolling out a mid-cycle refresh that aims to mollify the RZ's critics. MotorTrend calls the change 'A Better Electric SUV With Room to Grow.'
Addressing the power and range complaints
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says its biggest gripes with the RZ electric compact SUV had centered on its lack of pep and limited electric driving range, but Lexus addressed both for 2026: the base model, renamed from RZ300e to RZ350e, now delivers 221 horsepower, 20 more than before, and an EPA-rated range of 301 miles, 34 miles more than last year, while a new top-trim RZ550e F Sport joins the lineup with a whopping 402 horsepower and aesthetic tweaks including a rear spoiler, a different front grille, 20-inch wheels, and unique interior materials.
A do-over
Car and Driver's test (opens in a new tab) titled 'Takes a Mulligan' lists highs including bank-vault cabin isolation, a newfound skip in its step, and better range than pre-2026 models, with Lexus rolling out a mid-cycle refresh for 2026 that aims to mollify the RZ's critics.
A better electric SUV
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) calls the change 'A Better Electric SUV With Room to Grow,' saying the 2026 Lexus RZ 350e gets significantly more range thanks to the revised battery system.
Questions buyers ask
How much horsepower does the Lexus RZ550e F Sport have?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says a whopping 402 hp.
What is the range of the 2026 Lexus RZ350e?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says 301 miles EPA-rated, 34 miles more than the prior year.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Lexus RZ is built around Electric motor(s), single or dual, rated at 221 / 308 / 402 horsepower across its compact electric SUV body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 6 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe 2026 RZ seats 5 and is a Compact electric SUV.
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2026 RZ.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Lexus RZ
RZ 350e is single-motor FWD at 221 hp; RZ 450e adds a second motor for AWD at 308 hp; the new RZ 550e F SPORT tops the lineup at 402 hp.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
2 indexed Lexus RZ model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus RZ | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Lexus RZ | 2025 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Lexus RZ.
The Lexus RZ is a battery electric mid-size luxury crossover SUV built by Toyota for its luxury division Lexus since 2023. It is considered a "large SUV" by Euro NCAP and a "small sport utility vehicle" by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
- Design
- The front motor of the RZ 450e is taken from the front-wheel drive version of the bZ4X, while the rear unit is taken from the all-wheel drive version of the same car, making it quicker than the bZ4X/Solterra.
- Chassis
- The chassis takes advantage of structural adhesives, laser-based welding processes, and high-tensile steel to enhance rigidity and reduce weight; the hood is aluminum and the battery is carried underneath the passenger floor, contributing to the vehicle's low center of gravity. The e-TNGA platform has a fully-independent suspension, with MacPherson struts in front and trailing-arm double-wishbones in the rear.
- Styling
- Six exterior and three interior colors are available; as an option, the exterior can be painted in a bi-tone finish, with the black "spindle" grille accent extended over the hood and roof.
Source: Lexus RZ (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Lexus RZ at a glance
- Production
- 2023–present
- Model years
- 2023–present
- Assembly
- Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Motomachi plant)
- Class
- Mid-size luxury crossover SUV
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-motor, front-wheel-drive, Dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (Direct4)
- Platform
- e-TNGA
- Electric motor
- 1×150 kW 1XM AC motor, AC Synchronous motor#Permanent-magnet, permanent magnet synchronous (front) + 1×80 kW 1YM AC permanent magnet synchronous (rear) (XEBM15)
- Power output
- 150 kW
- Battery
- 71.4 kWh NMC battery, NMC PPES, 72.8 kWh NMC CATL, 77 kWh NMC PPES
- Electric range
- 500 km (New European Driving Cycle, NEDC), 450 km (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure, WLTC), 200 mi (EPA)
- Charging
- 150kW DC
- Transmission
- eAxle
- Wheelbase
- 2850 mm
- Length
- 4805 mm
- Width
- 1895 mm
- Height
- 1635 mm
- Curb weight
- 0 NNNN
- Designer
- Daichi Kimura
Recent recalls (3 campaigns across the latest model years)
- June 2026, Electrical System:Propulsion System. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2026 Toyota BZ, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra battery electric vehicles. The electronic control unit (ECU) that controls the high voltage battery may experience a fault, resulting in a loss of drive power. Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- October 2025, Back Over Prevention:Display Function. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru Solterra vehicles equipped with a Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) system. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may cause the rearview… Consequence: A rearview camera that fails to display an image can reduce the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- September 2025, Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2025 bZ4X, Lexus RZ, and Subaru Solterra vehicles. During certain HVAC system faults, such as electrical compressor failure, the defroster and defogger system may become inoperative. Consequence: An inoperative defroster and defogger system can decrease the driver's visibility under certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Year by year
The Lexus RZ across 4 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus RZ | 95–126 | $600–$800 | 6 | 1 | 5 stars |
| 2025 Lexus RZ | 95–125 | $600–$800 | 4 | 2 | 5 stars |
| 2024 Lexus RZ | 95–125 | $600–$800 | 4 | 2 | 5 stars |
| 2023 Lexus RZ | 95–107 | $700–$800 | 2 | 2 | 5 stars |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Lexus RZ, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 to 2026 | 4 to 6 | 110.0 to 110.5 | 231 to 265 | Labels: RZ 350e FWD (18 inch wheels), RZ 350e FWD (20 inch wheels), RZ 450e AWD (20 inch wheels - 235/50R20,255/45R20), RZ 450e AWD (20 inch wheels - 235/50R20), and 1 more | Labels: RZ 300e (18 inch wheels), RZ 300e (20 inch wheels), RZ 450e AWD (20 inch wheels) |
| 2023 to 2024 | 2 to 4 | 101.0 to 110.0 | 208 to 231 | Labels: RZ 300e (18 inch wheels), RZ 300e (20 inch wheels), RZ 450e AWD (18 inch wheels), RZ 450e AWD (20 inch wheels); Drives: Front-Wheel Drive; Size classes: Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | Labels: RZ 450e AWD (18 inch Wheels), RZ 450e AWD (20 inch Wheels) |
Buying used
What the Lexus RZ recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | electrical system (propulsion system) | None |
| 2025 | 2 | visibility (defroster/defogger/hvac system); back over prevention (display function) | None |
| 2024 | 2 | visibility (defroster/defogger/hvac system); back over prevention (display function) | None |
| 2023 | 2 | visibility (defroster/defogger/hvac system); back over prevention (display function) | None |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Lexus RZ trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350e | FWD | Electric Motor | 221 | – | 4,320 | – | – | $47,295 |
| 350e Premium | FWD | Electric Motor | 221 | – | 4,343 | – | – | $49,495 |
| 450e | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 308 | – | 4,519 | – | – | $50,795 |
| 450e Premium | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 308 | – | 4,519 | – | – | $52,995 |
| 450e Luxury | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 308 | – | 4,530 | – | – | $58,295 |
| 550e F SPORT | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | 402 | – | 4,663 | – | – | $58,295 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Lexus RZ model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | 221–402 | 4,320–4,663 | – | – |
| 2025 | 6 | Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | 201–308 | 4,321–4,619 | – | – |
| 2024 | 4 | Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | 201–308 | 4,277–4,619 | – | – |
| 2023 | 2 | Electric Motor | – | 4,564–4,619 | – | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Lexus RZ: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | not available | electrical system |
| 2025 | 2 | not available | visibility/wipers, backup camera |
| 2024 | 2 | not available | visibility/wipers, backup camera |
| 2023 | 2 | not available | visibility/wipers, backup camera |
| 2022 | not available | ||
| 2021 | not available | ||
| 2020 | not available | ||
| 2019 | not available | ||
| 2018 | not available | ||
| 2017 | not available | ||
| 2016 | not available | ||
| 2015 | not available |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Lexus RZ model years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Lexus RZ?
Federal recall records don't single out a best Lexus RZ model year: recall counts across the 4 published model years checked here stay within a normal range of this nameplate's own average (about 1.8 recalls per year), with no year standing out as notably higher or lower. Recall count is one input, not a purchase verdict. It says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record.
Q02What are common recall-related problems on the Lexus RZ by model year?
2026: electrical system. 2025: visibility/wipers, backup camera. 2024: visibility/wipers, backup camera. 2023: visibility/wipers, backup camera.
Q03Why do some Lexus RZ model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Lexus RZ model years 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Climate and electrical.
Compared with
Models this Lexus RZ is most often compared with.
Nearest Lexus models
Other Lexus models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 RZ come in?
The 2026 Lexus RZ (compact electric SUV) comes in 6 trims: RZ 350e, RZ 350e Premium, RZ 450e, RZ 450e Premium, RZ 450e Luxury, RZ 550e F SPORT.
Q02What are the 2026 RZ trims?
The 2026 Lexus RZ trims are RZ 350e, RZ 350e Premium, RZ 450e, RZ 450e Premium, RZ 450e Luxury, RZ 550e F SPORT, listed from the entry RZ 350e up to the top RZ 550e F SPORT.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 RZ use?
The 2026 Lexus RZ is built around Electric motor(s), single or dual, rated at 221 / 308 / 402 horsepower across its compact electric SUV body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 RZ have?
The 2026 Lexus RZ is rated at 221 / 308 / 402 horsepower (Electric motor(s), single or dual).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 RZ?
The 2026 Lexus RZ is offered with FWD / AWD.