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It’s finally here! The Lexus RZ 450e, the first electric SUV from the Lexus Electrified lineup, is here. The automaker offered two photos of the new electric vehicle, showing details of the front end and the interior. However, people are up in arms about one tiny detail of the new Lexus EV that shares this option with the 2023 Toyota BZ4x.

The Lexus RZ 450e electric SUV is coming on April 20

The Lexus RZ 450e electric SUV
The Lexus RZ 450e electric SUV in the shadows | Lexus

If you have driven on any road lately, you have probably seen a Lexus SUV of some kind. These SUVs live in Publix parking lots, high-end shopping malls, and parent pickup lines all over the place. That’s probably why Lexus decided its first electric vehicle from the Lexus Electrified lineup should be an SUV. Enter the Lexus RZ 450e electric SUV.

Lexus has been hinting at something like this for almost two years. Initially teasing that there would be some sort of electric crossover coming out. After that, images of the unknown RZ at the time came out. The automaker promised a zero-emissions version of one of its most popular cars in the lineup.

What can people tell from the teaser image? It looks pretty much as anticipated. The RZ 450e appears to take the regular Lexus NX and RX SUV styling cues, including the new futuristic grille.

What is the drawback of the Lexus RZ 450e?

Lexus Electric SUV
The Lexus RZ 450e | Lexus

Lexus only released two images this week regarding the RZ 450e. One photo shows the front end of the electric SUV, and the second image is above. It shows a sort of yoke steering wheel that Tesla became famous for. People seem to hate the yoke for a few reasons. Drivers find it uncomfortable to use and hard to get used to. In emergencies, the shape of the yoke can confuse drivers.

However, Toyota thinks it has moved past that before it even starts. According to Electrek, Lexus and Toyota plan to use a drive-by-wire system to help adjust the steering for “low-speed situations and sharp turns.” While that sounds fine, people are still skeptical of the yoke. Most people interested in the RZ 450e probably hope it is similar enough to the regular Lexus SUV.

The 2023 Toyota BZ4x electric SUV is coming first

The 2023 Toyota BZ4x is slated for arrival before the Lexus electric SUV. Buyers can opt for the yoke steering wheel on the Toyota EV or order without it. It also seems like the range of the RZ will take cues from the BZ4x. The first version of the 71.3 kWh battery pack should get more than 250 miles of range. Toyota will offer it in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive as well.

Since the BZ4x was announced back at the end of 2021, it is anticipated to come out sometime after the first half of 2022. Lexus and Toyota are disclosing more information about the Lexus RZ 450e on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at 6 a.m. ET.

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Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.