Lexus has revealed the 2024 RZ electric crossover with a couple of updates. The most notable addition is the introduction of the entry-level 300e, a front-wheel-drive variant that promises a longer range at a more affordable price point compared to the rest of the RZ’s variants.
The heart of the 300e is a 72.8kWh battery, which carries a 1.4kWh improvement over the pricier 450e. The new 300e variant boasts a 201PS electric motor borrowed from the twin-motor 450e, powering the front wheels only.
One of the standout features of the 300e is its impressive range of 428km on a single charge, outclassing competitors like the BMW iX3 by 42km while falling short of the Tesla Model Y by 37km. However, variants equipped with larger 20-inch wheels offer a range of 360km on a single charge.
Since the Lexus RZ 300e doesn’t have a motor at its rear axle, the motorized rear axle of the 450e has been replaced with a subframe, which reduces vibrations and noise. This enhancement is said to contribute to a smoother and quieter ride, elevating the overall driving experience for occupants.
On the other end of the spectrum, the 450e retains its Direct4 four-wheel-drive system, featuring a powerful 201PS electric motor on the front axle and an additional 107PS motor at the rear. This system allows the distribution of up to 100% of power to either the front or rear wheels, adapting to driving conditions for optimal performance and control.
While Lexus is yet to reveal the performance specifications for the RZ 300e, the 450e, with its all-wheel-drive drivetrain, offers impressive performance. In favourable road conditions, the RZ 450e can do a 0-100kmph sprint in 5 seconds. However, the performance comes at a cost of range. The 450e offers a range of 354km with 18-inch wheels and 315km with the 20-inch wheel size option.
On the features front, the 2024 Lexus RZ continues to offer a suite of luxury features such as Frequency Reactive Dampers (FRD), a 10-inch head-up display, a panoramic glass roof, shift-by-wire rotary gear selector, a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.