2026 Lexus RZ: What We Know So Far
Overview
To this point, our biggest gripes with the RZ electric compact SUV have centered around its lack of pep and its limited electric driving range, but Lexus has addressed both of those complaints for 2026. The front-wheel-drive RZ350e variant receives a power bump to 221 horsepower, and a new 402-horsepower RZ550e F Sport joins the lineup as the sprightliest of the crew. With improved battery and charging tech, Lexus says that the base RZ now has a maximum range of 300 miles, which should quell range anxiety a bit. While we previously thought of the RZ as a solid Lexus but a mediocre EV, that could change with these updates.
What's New for 2026?
To see the RZ's 2026 changes, you need to look beneath the sheetmetal at its upgraded battery packs and electric motors. The base model has been renamed from RZ300e to RZ350e and now delivers 221 horsepower (20 hp more than before) and an estimated range of 300 miles (an additional 34 miles compared with last year's rating). While the mid-tier RZ450e's 308-hp output carries on unchanged, it now has an estimated range of 260 miles, 40 miles more than it could manage previously. A new top-trim RZ550e F Sport model joins the lineup for 2026, with a whopping 402 horsepower and some aesthetic tweaks including a rear spoiler, a different front grille, 20-inch wheels, and unique interior materials. All new RZs are fitted with an improved 11-kW on-board AC charger and a NACS (North American Charging System) charging port, which allows for quicker AC charging and the ability to DC fast-charge at Tesla Superchargers.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Lexus RZ is expected to start around $45,000 and go up to $62,000 depending on the trim and options.
RZ350e
$45,000 (est)
RZ450e
$50,000 (est)
RZ550e F Sport
$62,000 (est) 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k $80k $90k $100k
Given that Lexus hasn't released any pricing information about the new RZ, it is hard to give a definitive recommendation just yet. However, the entry-level RZ350e looks like the most tempting option on paper. With a respectable 221 horsepower and the highest estimated range of all the trim offerings, the RZ350e seems hard to beat from a value perspective. But we'll reserve final judgment for when we have pricing details.
This content is imported from Third party. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
EV Motor, Power, and Performance
The RZ350e has a single electric motor on its front axle that's good for 221 horsepower. The RZ450e is powered by a dual-motor arrangement that spreads 308 horses among all four wheels. The RZ550e F Sport is the performance pick, churning out 402 horsepower from its dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup. Lexus previously stated that a yoke-style steering wheel would be offered as an option, replacing the standard steering wheel, but the carmaker has now said that the yoke and steer-by-wire system isn't yet ready for the U.S. market. For some additional driver engagement, the RZ550e F Sport has steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters and an "M Mode" that simulates gear changes from a traditional transmission in a gas vehicle.
0–60-MPH Times
Lexus claims that the front-drive RZ350e can work its way to 60 mph in an unspectacular 7.2 seconds. The 308-hp RZ450e does significantly better than that with the help of all-wheel drive, earning a 60-mph estimate of 4.9 seconds. When we previously tested the RZ450e, it got to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. The RZ550e is unsurprisingly the quickest model, which Lexus predicts will reach 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. We'll update this section when we have a chance to test the updated RZ's acceleration capabilities for ourselves.
View Exterior Photos
Lexus
More on the RZ SUV
2026 Lexus RZ Gets Power Bump but Not the Yoke
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
A NACS (North American Charging Standard) port replaces the CCS port found in the previous RZ. This new port enables it to charge at Tesla Superchargers. A higher-capacity 75-kWh battery pack increases driving range in the RZ350e to 300 miles, and to 260 miles in the RZ450e. Those new estimates are 34 miles more than the RZ300e could manage in 2025 and 40 miles further than the RZ450e's previous rating. The new RZ550e gets an even larger 77-kWh pack, which Lexus estimates will afford 225 miles of range. Lexus says that the RZ can charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes on a DC fast charger, and AC charging speed is faster thanks to a higher-capacity 11-kW on-board AC charger.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
The Lexus RZ's interior is simplicity-focused, with few buttons and switches on the dashboard and doors. Instead, most functions are controlled through a large infotainment display. Similar approaches have been employed in EV models from Tesla and Polestar, with varying results. Either way, the RZ's cabin is spacious for a small crossover and looks and feels quite upscale, with most surfaces wrapped with faux suede or synthetic leather.
View Interior Photos
Lexus
Infotainment and Connectivity
A large 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen dominates the RZ's dashboard and looks similar to the screen found in the gasoline-powered NX SUV. Lexus says the driver can interact with the system by touching the screen and also by using voice commands. A digital gauge display and a head-up display are also included. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both with wireless connectivity capabilities, are standard.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Like many other new Lexus models, the RZ is offered with a full suite of standard driver-assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automated emergency braking. Additional features will be optional, including an automated parking feature. For more information about the RZ's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Lexus provides a competitive limited warranty and an even better powertrain warranty. The automaker also includes a short period of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
Battery components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles
As more information becomes available, we'll update this story with more details about:
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tesla Pushes Hard with New Incentives as Sales Slip
Tesla is pulling out all the stops to entice buyers as its sales continue to slide. The electric vehicle giant, long seen as the face of the EV industry, is introducing a raft of incentives and discounts to jumpstart demand. The Cool Down reported that Tesla posted its weakest sales quarter since mid-2022, prompting the company to offer discounts for various customer groups, including special deals for Lyft drivers and subsidized interest rates. Reports suggest Tesla representatives are even personally reaching out to past leads to encourage test drives. One commenter summed it up aptly: 'They're truly pulling all demand levers.' Tesla's reputation has been hit in recent years, partly due to CEO Elon Musk's polarizing political commentary, which has made the brand less appealing to some potential buyers. However, improvements in quality and service for the Model 3 and Model Y are earning positive feedback from these incentives, such aggressive strategies midway through the quarter may signal deeper challenges. Some experts feel the perks are end-of-quarter level incentives despite it only being about halfway through the quarter. While Tesla's U.S. sales are down, global EV sales continue to rise. The company has also benefited from being the sole automaker exempt from a major automotive tariff, thanks to meeting certain compliance criteria. Still, Tesla faces stiff competition from a growing roster of EV makers offering alternatives to consumers. Tesla owners can still tap into cost savings with EVs, including lower fuel costs, potential solar integration, and tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act, though these incentives could be threatened by future policy changes. As the EV market evolves, Tesla's latest maneuvers highlight the pressure facing even industry leaders. Whether the discounts and perks will be enough to reverse the sales slump remains to be Pushes Hard with New Incentives as Sales Slip first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
VinFast Cuts Half Its Canadian Showrooms as EV Market Cools
VinFast, the Vietnamese EV startup that set out to challenge Tesla with a sleek direct-to-consumer model, is pulling back — and hard. This week, the company confirmed it will shut down half of its retail locations in Canada, just two and a half years after entering the market. VinFast launched into Canada in late 2022 with big promises: a sleek, direct-to-consumer electric-vehicle model meant to rival Tesla. Within months, the Vietnamese company opened 10 showrooms across Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia—five of them within upscale shopping malls like Yorkdale and Park Royal. But as of May 2025, half of those stores are set to close, marking a sharp reversal of its aggressive rollout. Five of its 10 Canadian storefronts are on the chopping block, including all three of its boutique mall locations and two additional showrooms in outlying areas, according to Retail Insider. The move marks a major pivot for the company, which had positioned itself as a disruptor ready to overhaul the traditional car-buying experience. 'VinFast Canada is announcing the closure of our three boutique mall locations and two showrooms in outlying areas as part of a broader strategy to refocus resources and enhance long-term performance,' the company said in a statement. The closures reflect mounting pressure on EV startups as the market cools and interest rates rise. While legacy automakers double down on hybrid models, newer players are struggling to stay competitive. VinFast opened its first Canadian store in December 2022 at Toronto's Yorkdale Mall, mirroring Tesla's showroom-style retail playbook. But plans to scale have sputtered. VinFast said it will maintain five showrooms in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. One survivor: the Mississauga location near Highway 401. The company says it will announce an expanded after-sales service network later this year and is 'considering' franchise dealer partnerships — a potential departure from its original direct-sales ethos. This contraction comes as other EV upstarts also face reality checks. Hype alone won't power growth. Even with global ambitions and a backstory rooted in one of Vietnam's biggest conglomerates, VinFast is learning the hard way: building cars is tough. Selling them might be even Cuts Half Its Canadian Showrooms as EV Market Cools first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 9, 2025 Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
an hour ago
- Business Insider
‘Keep an Eye on the Bigger Picture,' Says Morgan Stanley About Tesla Stock
Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) stock took a sharp hit last week after Elon Musk and Donald Trump – once close buddies – turned on each other in a public social media spat that quickly became an online spectacle. While the internet grabbed its popcorn to watch the drama/comedy unfold, investors were less amused, driving the stock down and wiping out a record $152 billion in market value. Confident Investing Starts Here: Trump warned he might yank Elon's federal subsidies and contracts, while Musk took jabs at Trump's links to Jeffrey Epstein and called for his impeachment. Now, Trump says he's considering ditching his Tesla. But what does Wall Street have to say about all this madness? Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas, one of the Street's biggest TSLA bulls, shared a 'few 'pith and marrow' thoughts' in the wake of the public spat. According to Trump, the whole thing kicked off because Musk was upset his 'Big Beautiful Bill' was not beneficial to Tesla. However, Jonas makes short shrift of the implications. 'We do not believe the phasing out of EV tax credits from the BBB (Big Beautiful Bill) is material to the long term outlook for TSLA,' the analyst said While Musk's involvement with the Trump administration and his increasingly polarizing politics were the cue from a massive drop in sales for Tesla earlier this year, Jonas does not think the argument will help bring back buyers that once considered buying a Tesla but were turned off by Musk's recent activities. In fact, Jonas thinks the argument could 'potentially (temporarily) alienate multiple sides of the political spectrum.' Yet, zooming out, Jonas thinks it's important to keep an eye on the bigger picture and that offers plenty of promise. 'While emotions are running high, we are not convinced the longer-term vectors that drive the stock's value have changed here,' he said. ' AI leadership, autonomy/robotics, manufacturing, supply chain re-architecture, renewable power, critical infrastructure… Tesla still holds so many valuable cards that are largely apolitical, in our opinion.' Nevertheless, investors should prepare for a rocky ride over the near-term. Donning his 'trading cap,' Jonas feels more confident about short-term volatility than about the stock's immediate direction. The analyst says he's sticking with his $410 price target on Tesla shares, even as he braces for the stock to post further losses. That figure implies a one-year gain of 36%. Meanwhile, Jonas maintains an Overweight rating (i.e., Buy). (To watch Jonas' track record, click here) That view, however, stands in contrast to the broader Street sentiment. Based on a mix of 16 Buys, 10 Holds, and 10 Sells, the analyst consensus rates the stock a Hold (i.e., Neutral). Going by the $285.91 average target, the shares are expected stay range-bound for the foreseeable future. (See TSLA stock forecast) To find good ideas for stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks' Best Stocks to Buy, a tool that unites all of TipRanks' equity insights.
