2026 Lexus RZ: More Power, More Range, and M Mode
The all-electric Lexus RZ returns for 2026 with three trims, faster charging, and a quirky new feature—virtual gear shifts. It’s everything a Lexus should be… and something it’s never been.
Why does this car matter right now?
Because Lexus just proved you can go electric without giving up character. The 2026 RZ arrives as a full electric SUV lineup with three flavors: the efficient RZ 350e, the balanced 450e, and the unhinged F SPORT 550e. Lexus isn’t chasing Tesla’s drag-strip swagger or Rivian’s off-road chest-thumping. Instead, it’s delivering refinement, clever engineering, and a fake gearbox called “M Mode”—which, somehow, makes perfect emotional sense.
With buyers demanding more range, more excitement, and more soul from their EVs, Lexus is responding with three very different personalities in one platform. The new RZ family isn’t just a spec sheet refresh. It’s a statement: electrification doesn’t have to be bland or one-size-fits-all.
How does it compare to rivals?
The RZ’s lineup starts with the 350e: a front-wheel-drive, 221-horsepower daily driver boasting an estimated 300 miles of range. That makes it competitive with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E in terms of efficiency, though not outright speed. Its 4,500-pound curb weight helps keep things agile by EV standards.
Step up to the 450e AWD, and things get more dynamic. Dual motors produce 308 horsepower and torque-vectoring grip. Range dips to 260 miles on 18-inch wheels, and less if you opt for the larger 20s. It’s a sweet spot in the segment for drivers who want all-weather capability without the theatrics of performance EVs.
Then there’s the F SPORT 550e: a 402-horsepower AWD brute with a 0–60 time of 4.1 seconds. It sacrifices range—225 miles—but counters with visceral thrills and a simulated manual gearbox. Yes, it has paddle shifters. No, it doesn’t make mechanical sense. But it’s fun, and that matters.
None of the RZs beat the Model Y Performance in straight-line sprints. But they absolutely trounce it in interior quality, ride comfort, and emotional clarity. And with the North American Charging Standard (NACS) connector now standard, Lexus EVs plug into Tesla’s network—an advantage the competition can’t ignore.
Who is this for—and who should skip it?
If you want a well-mannered, premium electric SUV that doesn’t scream for attention, the RZ lineup is your front-runner. Families will appreciate the quiet cabin, standard tech, and spa-like interior design—especially the Dynamic Sky glass roof and animated door lighting. Drivers who crave engagement will find unexpected joy in the 550e’s M Mode, which mimics gear changes with digital paddle shifts.
But if you’re shopping strictly by range or charging speed, the RZ isn’t the class leader. Rivals like the Kia EV6 GT and Tesla Model Y Long Range still edge it on outright distance and charging speed. And if you need towing capacity or third-row seating, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
What’s the long-term significance?
The 2026 RZ is less about revolution and more about evolution—refining Lexus’s EV blueprint into something more confident and compelling. Built in Motomachi, the same factory that produced the LFA supercar, the RZ carries quiet heritage under its polished skin. And while its 75-kWh battery pack isn’t groundbreaking in size, it’s been reworked for better thermal management and higher efficiency across the board.
With NACS adoption and upgraded 11 kW AC charging, Lexus is finally speaking the language EV buyers understand—convenience and compatibility. And by offering distinct personalities across its RZ models, Lexus is also recognizing that EV buyers aren’t a monolith. Some want serenity. Some want flair. Some want fake gearboxes. Lexus now has something for all of them.
The real innovation isn’t the range or the horsepower. It’s that Lexus is making EVs emotionally intelligent, not just technically competent.
