2025 Lexus RZ 450e First Drive Review: High Price and Disappointing Range

• The 2025 RZ 450e is the only 100% electric vehicle in the Lexus range today.

• Its maximum range is set at 354 kilometres.

• The 2025 Lexus RZ 450e starts at $59,960. 

In 2025, Lexus celebrates its 35th anniversary in Canada. For the occasion, we took part in the festivities organized by the manufacturer in Baie-Saint-Paul in the Charlevoix County. During this event organized by the manufacturer, we were able to get behind the wheel of the 2025 Lexus RZ 450e.

Here’s the full report on our first impressions.

A slightly disappointing range

While Lexus has distinguished itself, among other things, by the quality of the vehicles it puts on the road, the same cannot be said of its first all-electric vehicle to be marketed in Canada. The 2025 RZ 450e may not be as catastrophic as some think, but it’s still disappointing.

Technically speaking, this luxury crossover has an electric motor at the front and a second electric motor at the rear. Together, they produce a total of 308 hp. Note that this is the only possible configuration for this model. The 2025 Lexus RZ 450e 450e doesn’t wow us with its level of performance, but its acceleration is perfectly adequate. We didn’t feel it ran out of steam on the many hills in the Charlevoix region.

On the other hand, the Lexus RZ 450e’s range is not impressive. Its makeup includes a battery with a density of 71.4 kWh. The manufacturer claims a range of 354 kilometres. There’s already reason to be disappointed. You’d expect more from a manufacturer that pioneered electrification across its range.

As far as we were concerned, we started our journey with the dashboard showing a charge level of 96%, corresponding to an indicated range of 225 kilometres. At the start, the outside temperature was -7°C. After covering precisely 96.7 kilometres, the onboard computer showed a remaining range of 146 kilometres. In other words, we took less mileage out of the remaining range than we drove. Still, that’s good news. The secondary roads in this region of Quebec, with their steep gradients, are undoubtedly conducive to energy regeneration. The results would have been very different if we had covered the same distance at the speed tolerated on a motorway. Even so, in our opinion, a range of just 225 kilometres in winter for a vehicle of this type is not enough.

We could not test charging because of the short time spent with the vehicle. We cannot overlook the fact that the Lexus RZ 450e’s charging speed is limited to 150 kW. Once again, this is disappointing when considering the target market for this crossover. There are far more advanced EVs in this segment.

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A superior interior layout to the Toyota bZ4X

The 2025 Lexus RZ 450e, derived directly from the Toyota bZ4X, already has two shortcomings. Identified as a compliance vehicle, the bZ4X is not the most convincing electric vehicle on the market. With all its know-how, Toyota should have developed a far more accomplished and innovative product.

That said, one of the bZ4X’s irritants is its dashboard configuration. Much of the information displayed could be obstructed depending on your driving position. Ergonomics are simply not up to scratch. The good news is that Lexus has rectified the problem. Overall, the interior of the 2025 Lexus RZ 450e is more acceptable. Despite this, the cabin doesn’t exude refinement, as is the case with other vehicles in the range. When you slip into the rear seats, the impression of luxury is almost non-existent.

The soundproofing, in addition to the vehicle’s general comfort, is noteworthy.

A less expensive product that remains mostly uninteresting

In 2024, Lexus sold 344 RZ 450es in Quebec, about 100 fewer units than the previous year. We can, therefore, conclude that this is an unpopular model, and with good reason. Unless a miracle happens, it won’t sell any more this year. 

Lexus is aware of the RZ 450e’s reality and the loss of the $7,000 provincial subsidy under the incentive program. As such, the entry price has been revised downwards for 2025. The base price is now below $60,000. On the other hand, you will have to pay more than $70,000 for a mid-range version, Luxe, and almost $80,000 for the Executive version. This is disproportionately high. 

In short, the 2025 Lexus RZ 450e disappoints with its range. We also deplore the general lack of luxury in this vehicle. Moreover, the bill remains steep without being justified when you don’t choose the entry-level model. 

2025 Lexus RZ 450e

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