2026 Lexus RZ 500e Luxury

• The 2026 Lexus RZ 500e Luxury gets a big power bump—now making 408 hp with dual-motor AWD.

• Range stretches to ~357 miles WLTP, thanks to a 77 kWh battery and improved efficiency.

• Interior tech leans tactile over flashy, with optional yoke steering and interactive “manual” drive mode.

Refined Proportions, Tighter Silhouette

The new 2026 Lexus RZ 500e Luxury isn’t trying to shock. It just looks tighter. Lower ride height, wider stance, a bit more stretched over the wheelbase. The profile’s cleaner, more athletic now—less crossover, more coupe-ish SUV.

The roofline doesn’t droop, it flows. Rear overhang’s a touch shorter, while the spoiler gets more angular. Even the front end has calmed down—less grille drama, more surface precision. Wheels are new, aero-optimized, but don’t scream for attention. It's all very… Lexus. Understated, but not boring.

Panels with Purpose

Look closer, and there’s real surface tension. Bodywork catches the light with just enough contrast between sharp creases and subtle curves. The blacked-out roof pillars give a floating effect, though not overdone. The tailgate’s cleaner too—no fake vents or overstyling. You can tell it’s been redrawn to feel like a driver’s car, not just another electric luxury SUV.

Dual Motors, Better Juice

Performance? Considerably better. The Lexus RZ 500e Luxury packs 300 kW (408 hp) from its new dual-motor AWD setup. Torque’s immediate, and 0–100 km/h comes in around 4.4 seconds. Quick enough to make it interesting, but not Teslarazzi stuff.

The 77.4 kWh battery bumps range to ~357 miles WLTP, which finally puts it in striking distance of BMW iX3 and even some Model Y trims. Charging’s snappier too: 150 kW DC now gets you 10–80% in under 30 minutes, and 11 kW AC helps at-home charging make more sense. It’ll also ship with NACS access in certain regions, so infrastructure isn’t a worry.

Driver Tech That’s Actually Engaging

Inside, Lexus has gone for a “less is more” approach. You still get a large central display and premium materials, but it’s the new tech layer that grabs attention. Optional steer-by-wire system with a yoke is available—yep, the no-steering-column setup.

More interesting is “Interactive Manual Drive.” Paddle shifters let you simulate gear changes. Fake? Sure. Fun? Maybe. Lexus says it’s about giving drivers something to engage with, along with adjusted throttle mapping and synchronized engine sounds. Think of it as a bridge between EV silence and ICE muscle memory.

Where It Stands

The RZ was never chasing headlines. It’s about nuance. The 2026 update finally brings it closer to the segment’s heavy-hitters—Model Y Performance, iX3, I-Pace. It won’t beat them all in raw spec wars, but it carves out space with a calmer design language and interaction-first approach. The Dynamic Sky panoramic roof, ambient lighting, and that Lexus-grade silence help too.

Lexus has unveiled the updated RZ 500e Luxury, featuring 408 hp, a larger 77.4 kWh battery, and up to ~357 miles range (WLTP). With dual-motor AWD, faster charging, and driver-first tech like steer-by-wire and paddle-interactive drive modes, the RZ enters 2026 sharpened, refined, and more compelling than ever.

Technical Specifications

• Performance

  • Maximum power: 300 kW (408 PS / 408 hp)

  • 0–100 km/h acceleration: 4.4 seconds

  • Top speed: 180 km/h

• Body Measurements

  • Length: 4,805 mm (189.2 in)

  • Width: 1,895 mm (74.6 in)

  • Height: 1,635 mm (64.4 in)

  • Wheelbase: 2,850 mm (112.2 in)

• Powertrain

  • Dual-motor AWD setup with “DIRECT4” torque vectoring

  • Both front and rear motors rated at 167 kW each

  • Next-gen e-Axle inverter system for improved efficiency

  • Steer-by-wire “One Motion Grip” system (optional yoke steering)

  • Interactive Manual Drive with paddle-shifted virtual gears

• Capacities & Range

  • Battery gross capacity: 76.96 kWh

  • Approximate driving range (WLTP): 450 km (~280 mi)

  • Energy consumption (WLTP): approx 184 Wh/km

  • DC fast charging via CCS2 standard: rapid 10–80% charge in under 30 minutes

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