I Drove One of America’s Cheapest Luxury EVs. The Lexus RZ Gets Our OK

The Lexus RZ is Toyota’s first fully electric luxury car.

I drove the 2026 Lexus RZ 550e for a week to see if it is deserving of its plaudits from reviewers. Previous editions of the Lexus RZ have received the “Green Car of the Year” award at the 2023 Grand Prix Auto Moto in France.

The RZ 550e F Sport I tested is the top trim model of the Lexus EV, and it starts at just over $58,000. Less souped-up trims start at a little over $47,000. I’ve recently tested the Lexus RZ’s counterpart in the Toyota brand, the bZ, as well as one of their main competitors in the electric SUV segment, the Chevrolet Blazer EV.

I think the Lexus RZ is a notable model because of its standard features, affordable pricing and practicality. Here’s what I learned from a week of real-world testing behind the wheel of Lexus’ first fully electric luxury car.

What Makes the 2026 Lexus RZ Stand Out?

The 2026 Lexus RZ stands out from rivals in its segment because of its unique exterior and interior designs. It also has a strong value proposition for a luxury car (starting at just over $47,000 for a base model), which propels it to the top of ranking lists at a time when the average new electric car costs more than $54,500, according to Cox Automotive.

In a week of testing, the Lexus RZ’s interior and cargo area felt spacious for daily driving needs. I also enjoyed the RZ’s large screen for infotainment and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

How Does the 2026 Lexus RZ Drive?

The 2026 Lexus RZ offers a smooth, quiet and comfortable ride, and it has excellent battery range. It handles well, and its acceleration is quick enough to keep daily driving fun. A daily driver might easily forget they are driving an electric car until it’s time to charge the battery.

The RZ 550e F Sport comes with a lithium-ion battery and uses an alternate concurrent synchronous electric motor. Lexus says it offers up to 402 horsepower total system power output. The electric SUV achieves an estimated 229 miles per battery charge. Our top trim model test vehicle lost only about 20% of its battery charge during a week of local driving.

Will the 2026 Lexus RZ Fit Your Lifestyle?

The Lexus RZ is 189.2 inches long, 64.4 inches tall and 74.6 inches wide (without mirrors). The top trim model I tested offers 34.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats, which I found sufficient for luggage and grocery hauls. With the rear seats folded, the space expands to about 56 cubic feet. The RZ is slightly bigger than the cheaper Toyota bZ, which starts at $34,650 before taxes and additional fees.

Is the 2026 Lexus RZ Worth It?

The Lexus RZ starts at $47,395 before taxes and additional fees, which seems modest for a luxury car in light of most modern new car prices. It’s available in six trims, ranging from the base model 350e to the top-of-the-line 550e F Sport I drove. The top trim 550e vehicle starts at $58,395, but it comes with features like all-wheel drive, a panoramic glass roof with a power sunshade and rear spoiler.

I enjoyed the souped-up Lexus RZ 550e F Sport, but I would likely opt for the comparable but cheaper Toyota bZ if I was looking to get the most bang for my buck. The bZ starts at just under $35,000 and the cars were so similar that at times I honestly felt like I was driving the same vehicle. A top trim bZ starts at $43,300, which is still cheaper than the base model RZ, and the differences between the vehicles are likely to be negligible.

The Lexus RZ competes in the luxury electric five-seat SUV segment with models from competitors such as the Genesis GV60, Volvo C40, Cadillac Lyriq and Acura ZDX.

Who Should Buy the 2026 Lexus RZ?

You should buy the 2026 Lexus RZ if you need a luxury electric SUV that still offers great value for the price.

The top trim model we tested comes with a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It has a panoramic view monitor, traffic jam assist, lane change assist and front cross-traffic alert.

Reporting by Keith Laing, USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.