2026 Lexus RZ: Luxury EV gets steering yoke, more power

The Lexus RZ – the luxurious triplet to the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra – has received mid-life updates including extra driving range, more power and a singular aircraft-style steering ‘wheel’.

Unveiled this morning, Lexus has confirmed we are able to expect to see the refreshed RZ lineup in Australia towards the tip of 2025, with pricing to be locked in closer to its arrival.

Gone is the only real RZ450e variant currently available in Australia, with the RZ500e taking its place alongside the brand new RZ550e F Sport, a better performance variant.

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The RZ500e is a direct substitute for the RZ450e but with 50kW more power, with its dual-motor all-wheel drive layout now producing 280kW and 537Nm of torque; the latter output is unchanged.

This has resulted within the RZ500e completing the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds, a saving of seven-tenths in comparison with the RZ450e.

Lexus’ recent RZ550e F Sport meanwhile develops 300kW while retaining the identical torque output figure, accelerating from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.4 seconds.

Each variants profit from optimised torque distribution control, which Lexus says “dynamically adjusts torque front to rear between 60:40 to 0:100” under hard acceleration, and 80:20 to 0:100 while cornering. 

The RZ550e F Sport also contains a simulated eight-speed transmission, which drivers can control to duplicate the sensation of a conventional engine-powered automotive.

The dimensions of the RZ’s lithium-ion battery pack has grown from 71.4kWh to 77kWh, now featuring more cells with improved chemistry.

Lexus claims the motors are also more efficient, resulting in a 14 per cent increase in driving range for the RZ500e in comparison to the outgoing RZ450e – claiming it will probably run for roughly 500km on the WLTP test cycle.

For context, the RZ450e had a 470km range on the more lenient NEDC test cycle, which Australia still bases its ADR cycle on.

Meanwhile, the RZ550e F Sport contains a claimed driving range of roughly 450km, also against the WLTP cycle.

In accordance with Lexus, the RZ can also be now fitted with an “optimised charging system”, leading to charging time reductions of as much as half-hour – presumably when AC charging, because it could previously be charged from 0-80 per cent in a claimed half-hour using a DC fast-charger.

There’s no sign of the brand new Lexus RZ350e – replacing the RZ300e – for Australia, with the cheaper, less powerful front-wheel drive electric SUV not mentioned in local press material.

The RZ300e was previously under assessment for Australia, nonetheless it appears the RZ350e – which produces 167kW/269Nm and might run for as much as 575km – won’t be an element of the late-2025 launch.

While the RZ’s design is unchanged in RZ500e guise in comparison with its RZ450e predecessor, the RZ550e F Sport features unique styling elements and equipment not available in the broader Lexus range.

Arguably the most important change has come contained in the cabin, where Lexus has finally rolled out its steer-by-wire system – with no physical connections between the steering wheel and rack.

This method changes the gear ratio based on the vehicle’s speed, which Lexus claims “[aids] low-speed maneuverability, agile handling on winding roads, and higher stability at highway speeds”, with the wheel only capable of move as much as 200 degrees.

It’s not only the steering feeling which is different, as the standard round steering wheel has been replaced by a ‘yoke’, just like those you’d find in an aircraft, featuring an open top and flat bottom.

While Tesla notoriously began to fit yokes to the Model S, this was mated to a steering system which had the identical lock-to-lock inputs as those with round wheels, making it difficult to drive consistently.

Other changes for the brand new flagship include F Sport-specific lower front and bumpers, brake ducts, rear spoiler and 20-inch aluminium wheels, the latter of which sit behind an aerodynamic cover to further improve efficiency.

Its suspension has also been tuned for “sporting dynamic responses” without sacrificing ride quality, with revised dampers and is derived.

Buyers will have the opportunity to order the brand new F Sport-exclusive Nuetrino Grey finish alongside 4 monotone and 4 two-tone color options.

Certain grades – to be confirmed for Australia – will also be fitted with a dimmable panoramic roof, in addition to Ultrasuede door trim, featuring laser-etched graphics.

It’s expected the updated RZ lineup will come to Australia with increased prices. The outgoing RZ450e starts from $121,059 before on-road costs in Luxury guise, and $133,059 plus on-roads in Sports Luxury.