3 Pros and 2 Cons of Driving a 2023 Lexus RZ Every Day
The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e is one of the most eccentric and luxurious EVs in the market today. It’s also very powerful, comfortable, and spacious. However, it’s not perfect. After driving it for a week, I came up with a few pros and cons that I experienced when driving it every day.
PRO: The 2023 Lexus RZ will turn heads everywhere you drive
Lexus says that the RZ stands for “Radiant Zero.” The zero part of the naming convention refers to “zero emissions,” so we have to deduce that the “radiant” part refers to the way the car looks. It’s fitting, considering the sharp angles and bold flares make it stand out when driving down the road. During my time spent with the car, I counted more than a few times when bystanders on the sidewalks stared intently as I drove by. Apparently, these cars are hard to come by in Denver, Colorado.
CON: The RZ lacks electric range
Lexus says the RZ can get up to 220 miles of range when opting for the lower Premium trim with 18-inch wheels. That’s a little less than the industry standard of 250 miles, but it gets worse when opting for the up-level Luxury trim with the 20-inch wheels. The RZ Luxury can only manage around 196 miles of range, which is abysmal for a car that costs over $60,000.
During my week with the car, I had to charge it up a few times to ensure I wouldn’t have any range anxiety. It should be noted that the optimum range gets cut by about 30 miles when you turn the climate controls on. Either way, the range is a large drawback.
PRO: The Lexus RZ Luxury trim comes with a fantastic sound system
Are you an audiophile? If so, you’ll love the Mark Levinson premium sound system the Luxury trim has to offer. It’s comprised of 13 speakers that deliver auditory bliss. The highs and lows are crisp and clear, and the bass is not overbearing. I will say that 1,800 watts never sounded so good.
CON: The RZ has below-average charging speeds
Since the Lexus RZ has such a short range, you may need to charge it a lot. If you live in an apartment like me and need to use public chargers, you may notice it takes a while to charge the car. Lexus says the RZ can charge from 20% to 80% in only 30 minutes using a DC fast charger.
That’s pretty good, but 150-kW DC fast charging is still slower than some competitors. Many EVs are going toward an 800-volt architecture, but the RZ still uses a 400-volt architecture.
PRO: The Lexus RZ’s interior is comfortable and unique
The 2023 Lexus RZ forgoes the typical leather interior for an Ultrasuede upholstery that feels like a soft La-Z-Boy couch. My tester’s insides were colored “Thunderstorm and Macadamia,” which is Lexus-speak for blue and white. I think it looks stylish, and the seats themselves were comfortable and supportive.
The front seats provide eight ways of adjustability, and there’s plenty of room in the rear-seat area for tall passengers. Even the middle seat is spacious because there’s no hump on the floor.
There are more pros than cons when driving the 2023 Lexus RZ
Although the short range and slower-than-average charging times are hindrances, many more pros exist when driving the RZ daily. If you’re looking for a luxury EV SUV and can charge it every night in your garage, this car is worth checking out.
