2026 Lexus RZ EV Debuts with Key Upgrades
The Lexus RZ is getting a refresh as part of its mid-life update, bringing some important changes. Set to arrive in Australia towards the end of 2025, the updated RZ will feature more driving range, increased power, new simulated gear shifts, and a distinctive yoke-style steering wheel.
Powertrain and Performance Enhancements
The RZ 450e is being replaced with the more potent RZ 500e and RZ 550e models. The RZ 500e gets a new dual-motor all-wheel drive setup, producing 280kW and 537Nm. This setup allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds, which is 0.7 seconds faster than the previous model.
Opting for the RZ 550e F Sport will give drivers a power boost to 300kW, shaving the 0-100 km/h sprint down to 4.4 seconds. The F Sport trim also adds visual enhancements, contributing to a sportier aesthetic.
Technology and Range Improvements
Among the tech updates is a simulated eight-speed transmission, designed to mimic the gear-shifting feel of a traditional combustion engine vehicle’s transmission. This feature is expected to be integrated into other sporty Lexus and Toyota models in the near future.
The new RZ models also benefit from a larger 77kWh battery featuring improved chemistry. Combined with more efficient motors, there’s a 14 percent increase in driving range. The RZ 500e is projected to cover up to 500km on a single charge, an increase of 30km, according to WLTP standards.
F Sport Enhancements
The most powerful RZ 550e F Sport, on the other hand, will offer up to 450km between charges. It features updated bumpers, a rear spoiler, and 20-inch alloy wheels. Inside the cabin, the vehicle showcases a steer-by-wire yoke that removes any physical connection between the driver and the steering rack. Lexus mentions that this provides more flexible steering characteristics, and the yoke’s limited 200-degree movement means drivers won’t need to perform excessive wheel twirling, even when parking.
The F Sport trim has also received a revised suspension setup, which includes new springs and dampers, designed to boost agility without sacrificing ride quality.
Further details, including local pricing and specific variant availability for Australia, will be provided later in the year.
