2024 Lexus RZ 300e Luxury - Review by David Colman

It’s … pretty good

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent to THE AUTO CHANNEL

If you ever had the urge to back up a dump truck, the 2024 Lexus RZ 300e will fill that bill. It's not a matter of size, but rather of sound. Whenever you select reverse gear in the new Lexus, a deafeningly loud "Reverse warning buzzer" sounds inside the cabin "to inform the driver that the shift position is in R." This racket duplicates the squawks you hear every time a dump truck backs up. At least the big rigs have a reason to issue outside public warnings. But the Lexus has no such excuse. Worse yet, there's no way to disable the irritant, which continues the entire time you're reversing. So far, this is the only passenger vehicle I've experienced with an automatic inside warning horn for reverse gear. Let's hope it's the last.

This Lexus, the company's second EV offering (after the 2023 RZ450e), shares its TNGA platform architecture with Toyota's bZ4x and Subaru's Solterra. The Toyota's base price is $42,000, while the Subaru starts at $44,995. If you want Lexus level luxury, however, your base price is $59,730 for the RZ 300e. Our test sample augmented the sticker with $200 for an Illuminated Front Badge, $550 for a Dynamic Sky Panorama Glass Roof, $1,200 for Black-Ether Metallic Bi-Tone Paint, $140 for a Carpet Cargo Mat, $325 for Side and Rear Puddle Lamps and $95 for Wheel Locks. Add in $1,150 for delivery, processing and handling fees, and you've got a $63,390 Lexus that costs $21,390 more than the base Toyota EV from which it is derived, and $18,395 more than Subaru's similarly related base Solterra.

Now there's no mistaking the infusion of goodness when you slip into the thoughtfully appointed cabin of the RZ 300e. After all, the descriptive word in this model's name is Luxury. Accordingly, the dark grey Ultrasuede-trimmed front seats are heated, ventilated and fitted with full power adjustments to free you from the usual chaos of daily life. Front and center of this welcoming place, the hearth if you will, is a 14.3-inch touchscreen that controls infotainment and cloud navigation functions. HVAC duties are thankfully assigned to a pair of extra large temperature dials plus a number of physical buttons. Lexus provides "Up To 10 years" of Safety Connect and Service Connect service, plus a 3-year renewable Remote Connect Trial. Once you sort through all the expirations and limitations, you'll find yourself subscribing to a network of internet-based aids you initially thought came free for the price and life of your car.

A much smaller display screen fronts the steering wheel, which is covered with a faux leather substance called NuLuxe. This imitation wrap provided a grip that felt like a slightly moist garden hose. Although it's fitted with a heater, the steering wheel wrap needs to be leather. The UltraSuede seats are more successful than the wheel in creating your lap of luxury. They are supportive yet soft, and look strikingly good when contrasted with the upholstered white panels gracing the doors and center console. But the RZ lacks both a rear window wiper and a proper glovebox, shortcomings it shares with its Toyota and Subaru siblings. Additionally, I found that the wide-splayed center console impinged on the mobility of my right knee. The space underneath that console contains a fairly inaccessible storage shelf storing the RZ' bulky 656 page Owner's Manual. This useful book could not be removed easily due to a lack of clearance, another reason to rethink the missing glovebox.

Lexus equips the RZ with glitzy, model specific 20 spoke, 20-inch alloy rims staggered in size from front to rear. The front wheels are 20 x 8J while the rears are 20 x 9.5J. The fronts carry 235/50R20 Dunlop SP Sport Maxx 060 all season radials, while the rear Dunlops measure 255/45R20. These tires have an unexpectedly soft treadwear rating of TW 280. Alternately, you can equip your RX with taller sidewall (60 and 55 series) 18-inch alloy wheels and tires, a preferable option. We found the ride quality on the 20-inch equipment to be very stiff and unyielding. On a twisty road, my wife was barely able to tune in XM stations on the touchscreen because the RZ was hopping over bumps and transitions like a mad jack rabbit.

Since we never managed to nail down a recharge slot at our local 3-unit EV-GO lottery, we limited our week's driving to just over a hundred miles of safely available range. The RZ arrived showing 272 miles on offer, and departed with the odometer reading 146. If you like playing recharge roulette, go for a short-range EV like the RZ. However, if you can think of better ways to spend your time than waiting for your EV's salvation in shopping center parking lots, then buy a Hybrid or an IC powered vehicle. You'll be in and out of the pump island faster than you can score a slot and bed down for the wait at EV-GO.

2024 LEXUS RZ 300e Luxury

MOTOR: Front Motor Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC
HORSEPOWER: 201hp
TORQUE: 196lb.-ft.
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 114MPGe City/96MPGe Highway
PRICE AS TESTED: $63,390

HYPES: Chromic Roof Option, My Bike Fits Inside

GRIPES: Buckboard Ride, No Drive Mode Control

STAR RATING: 6 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman