As electrification continues to grow in the local market, Lexus Philippines has brought an entry with the introduction of the 2023 RZ. This is Lexus’ first pure battery electric vehicle (BEV), built on the same dedicated BEV platform as the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra.
At first glance, the RZ boasts an electrifying appearance with its sharp lines and curves. The front end features the brand’s signature spindle fascia with a grille-less finish. The sharp-looking headlight design with L-shaped daytime running lights flows along the grille shape. The wheels of the electrified luxury compact crossover are fitted with a set of 20-inch aluminum wheels in a dark premium metallic finish. With a low drag coefficient of 0.28 Cd, the sharp body shape enhances aerodynamics and improves efficiency.
As we step inside, the RZ’s cabin is designed with three tri-tone schemes, which are predominantly in Grayscale, Hazel, and Orage (a shade of blue), giving the occupants a luxurious feeling. The front seats are 8-way power-adjustable and ventilated, while the second row is a 60:40 folding rear seat. The interior amenities include an automatic anti-glare mirror, a wireless charger, multi-color ambient illumination, Lexus Climate Concierge, a panoramic sunroof, automatic dual-zone air conditioning with humidity sensor, a radiant heater, and nanoeX.
The RZ is loaded with technology, starting with a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the “Hey Lexus” on-board assistant, and a bespoke 10-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system. The EV also has an 8-inch digital instrument cluster and a color heads-up display. The Lexus Safety System provides Advanced Driver Assist System (ADAS) system functions, such as Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Pre-Collision System (PCS), and Lane Tracing Assist (DRCC), among others. The Full Park Assist feature can park the vehicle in an open parking space without any driver’s input.
Under the hood, the DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system is enabled by the use of a 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery and a pair of electric motors mounted to the front and rear axles, producing a total power output of 309 horsepower. The RZ can go from zero to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and run 470 km on a single charge. Charging the Lexus EV can be fully charged in approximately 10 hours and 6.5 hours using 7kW and 11kW AC chargers, respectively. For faster charging, a DC charger can fill the EV range in just around 30 minutes.
All in all, the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e is an impressive ad electrifying addition to the Lexus lineup. It’s a zero-emission luxury compact crossover that offers a striking appearance, advanced technologies, and a powerful yet efficient powertrain. Lexus Philippines is offering the RZ in the sole. top-spec 450e variant priced at Php 4,828,000. That price comes with an 8-year warranty for the battery.
Although the initial batch consisting of less than 10 units has already been spoken for, interested individuals can still check out the model at Lexus Manila or Lexus at Mitsukoshi BGC. Lexus is bringing to Filipinos the EV driving experience, and the RZ is the perfect example of this exciting future.