Lexus RZ (2026)

Redline Reviews is clearly impressed by the 2026 Lexus RZ’s luxury and performance, but remains wary of its EV shortcomings. After a week with the RZ 550e F SPORT, the reviewer praised its exceptionally quiet cabin, comfortable yet engaging ride, supportive seats, strong build quality, and genuinely quick sub-four-second acceleration. The upgrades make it a much better electric SUV, especially with NACS charging and faster AC charging, but cold-weather testing delivered under 200 miles of real-world range. Charging remains merely average, cargo space is modest, and the F SPORT’s simulated manual shifting feels less convincing than Hyundai’s. Overall, it is an excellent Lexus SUV but only a decent EV.

Kelley Blue Book is quite positive on the 2026 Lexus RZ, especially the 550e F SPORT’s quick, comfortable, and surprisingly playful handling. The review praises its quiet, polished cabin, clear technology, useful space, upgraded charging, and much-improved range, though the 350e feels floaty and underpowered by comparison. The simulated manual-shift mode is admittedly gimmicky, but entertaining. Still, charging speed and range—particularly the 550e’s roughly 225 miles—trail key rivals. Overall, the RZ is recommended as a refined, premium compact EV, especially for Lexus loyalists who value comfort over class-leading efficiency.

MotorWeek is strongly positive about the 2026 Lexus RZ, especially the new 550e F SPORT. It praises the 402-hp dual-motor setup, 4.5-second 0–60 run, confident handling, excellent brakes, improved range across the lineup, and quicker charging. The 550e feels surprisingly nimble despite weighing roughly 4,600 pounds, while its new M mode adds enjoyable simulated gear changes. The comfortable cabin, effective 14-inch screen, and Lexus-like refinement also land well. Minor squeaks, a few interior noises, and the 550e’s 229-mile range temper the praise, but MotorWeek views the broader, more capable lineup as a major improvement.

Dave Undercoffler is positive on the refreshed Lexus RZ, but not convinced by the performance model’s value. He enjoyed the 550e F SPORT’s quick acceleration, sharp handling, comfortable seats, quiet upscale cabin, useful physical controls, and surprisingly roomy rear and cargo areas. The new NACS port, faster 11-kW charging, and especially the base 350e’s 302-mile range make the lineup far more compelling. Still, the 550e’s 228-mile range feels inadequate near $60,000, while its basic instrument display, awkward removable roof shades, limited cargo capacity, and weak regenerative braking undermine the luxury experience.

Auto Focus is disappointed by the Lexus RZ 450e, despite genuinely liking its quiet, comfortable, well-built cabin. The reviewer praises the heated and ventilated seats, roomy rear accommodations, clever storage, physical controls, straightforward software, electrochromic roof, excellent head-up display, and smooth ride. But the roughly 200-mile range and weak EV drivetrain make it difficult to recommend at its $66,000 price, especially against quicker, longer-ranging alternatives such as the Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y Performance. The overall feeling is frustration: Lexus created a pleasant luxury SUV, then undermined it with inadequate range and performance.

The Car Care Nut remains sharply skeptical of the 2026 Lexus RZ, despite meaningful improvements. He praises its exceptional build quality, quiet and refined cabin, attractive styling, roomy rear seat, faster charging, and NACS access. However, he argues that range remains frustratingly unpredictable, dropping dramatically with climate-control use, while the F SPORT’s seats and suspension are uncomfortable. He also criticizes the missing glove box, awkward controls, limited displays, storage compromises, and modest engineering changes. His verdict is that the RZ is a pleasant, well-priced Lexus first and a convincing EV second—better than before, but still far from competitive.

Jonathan Crouch is strongly impressed by the 2026 Lexus RZ, calling it the brand’s most engaging mainstream model yet. He praises its near-best-in-class highway refinement, supportive seats, improved torque control, longer range, quicker charging, and genuinely distinctive One Motion Grip steer-by-wire system. The 550e F Sport adds convincing performance, though its simulated gearbox sounds artificial and the yoke takes considerable adjustment. Crouch’s main reservations are the disappointing real-world range, dated 400-volt architecture, modest 150-kW DC charging, awkward rear visibility, and some practical omissions. Overall, it feels substantially more competitive, if not quite class-leading.

Pat is strongly positive about the 2026 Lexus RZ, calling it the best-driving EV he has tested. He praises its spaceship-like styling, exceptionally smooth and light-feeling ride, quiet cabin, accurate winter range estimates, and dramatically improved charging curve, which cuts a 10–80% charge to about 30 minutes. The 350e’s roughly 300-mile range and sub-$50,000 U.S. starting price also impress him. Still, he criticizes the dated driver display, awkward drive-mode access, lack of full one-pedal driving, and constant reverse beeping. Overall, he sees the RZ as a convincing redemption, though not a flawless luxury EV.

Gjeebs is strongly negative on the 2026 Lexus RZ 550e, calling it one of the worst EVs he has reviewed. He praises its gorgeous exterior, solid Lexus build quality, comfortable cabin, excellent Mark Levinson audio, smooth ride, and surprisingly capable self-parking. But the $62,000 SUV’s poor efficiency, limited effective range, weak road-trip practicality, dated infotainment, paid navigation, and disappointing charging performance overshadow those strengths. His testing produced about 215 miles of real-world range and only 146 miles added in a 30-minute 10-to-80% session, leading him to conclude that Lexus made a good luxury vehicle—but a bad electric one.

Roman Mica and Jen Howard are moderately positive about the 2026 Lexus RZ, but clearly frustrated by its range. They praise its quiet, comfortable Lexus-like cabin, quality materials, traditional controls, NACS charging port, and surprisingly quick 550e F SPORT acceleration. The playful Direct4-style paddle-shift simulation adds novelty, though they find the driving experience isolated and lacking road feel. Their central criticism is the performance model’s roughly 229-mile range—well below key rivals—and relatively slow 150-kW charging. At about $62,000, they view it as a refined, approachable starter EV rather than a class-leading choice.

Motormouth is highly impressed by the 2026 Lexus RZ, calling it a major correction of the underwhelming original. The updated battery, stronger motors, improved thermal management, NACS access, and 350e’s roughly 302-mile range bring it much closer to competitive luxury EVs. On Portugal’s twisty roads, the RZ feels quiet, planted, refined, and surprisingly engaging, especially in 550e F SPORT trim with virtual gear shifts. They praise the upscale cabin, standard equipment, comfort, and useful cargo area, while wishing for faster than 150-kW DC charging, larger door pockets, a frunk, and confirmed pricing.

Nobby On Cars is strongly impressed by the 2026 Lexus RZ, calling it the substantial update the model needed. He praises its dramatically improved range, faster charging, greater efficiency, whisper-quiet refinement, comfortable cabin, and sharper handling from the stiffer body and revised suspension. The 350e’s front-drive performance feels adequate, while the more powerful AWD and F SPORT versions add appeal without seeming essential for a family SUV. He flags the still-unknown pricing, some hard black interior trim, and uncertainty about front-wheel-drive traction in wet conditions. Overall, he considers it a serious luxury EV contender if Lexus keeps the price sensible.

Discerning Cars is highly impressed by the 2026 Lexus RZ 450e’s Bentley-like quietness, smooth acceleration, sublime ride, and upscale, well-equipped cabin. The Luxury trim feels solid and comfortable, with excellent seats, audio, and its clever electrochromic panoramic roof. Still, range is the defining weakness: aggressive driving and climate use reduced the 257-mile estimate to roughly 160 miles at an 80% charge. Rear footroom, the lack of a glove box, slower infotainment, and cabin heat buildup also disappoint. He views the RZ as an outstanding second or third vehicle and attractive lease, but not a sensible sole car.

Joel and Sebastian are pleasantly surprised by how much better the 2026 Lexus RZ feels. The RZ 350e offers a genuinely luxurious, quiet cabin, comfortable seats, responsive infotainment, manual battery preconditioning, and a convincing 301-mile range. They especially appreciate the improved EV-focused usability and strong value at the dealer’s discounted price. Still, the review is measured: DC fast charging is only adequate, the possible three-stop charging limitation is concerning, route planning is unclear, one-pedal driving is absent, and the driver display feels dim. Joel would choose the Cadillac Optiq, while Sebastian prefers the RZ’s more traditional luxury-focused interior.

Eric Novak is cautiously positive about the 2026 Lexus RZ, calling it a meaningful improvement but not a segment leader. The larger battery, stronger powertrains, better range, NACS charging, and more refined Lexus-like driving experience address many of the original model’s shortcomings. However, he questions the RZ 550e F SPORT’s value, since its extra performance reduces range to roughly 224 miles—and even less in Canadian winter conditions. Novak sees the 350e and 450e as more sensible choices, while Lexus still trails BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Genesis, and other luxury EV leaders in overall advancement.

Motor Illustrated is strongly impressed by the 2026 Lexus RZ 350e, calling it the lineup’s sweet spot. After a wet-road first drive, the reviewer praises its quiet, composed ride, smooth 221-hp performance, and much-improved 478-km range, especially at its relatively reasonable $63,400 price. The front-wheel-drive layout is the main compromise, but it feels minor unless AWD is essential. Higher-output versions offer more power, yet their shorter range—particularly the 550e’s roughly 369 km—is considered unacceptable for the price. Overall, the 350e is viewed as a refined, practical, and finally compelling Lexus EV.