Latest news with #RZ550e
The Australian
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Australian
2026 Lexus RZ steer by wire tested
Every car you've driven in Australia has used a form of mechanical steering. That means the steering wheel has been physically connected to tyres – it works, it's proven and it's safe. So why change it? That's the question Lexus's new RZ 550e F Sport has to answer. MORE: What is the best car of the 21st century? 2025 Lexus RZ. Picture: Supplied The RZ first launched in just 2023, and the brand has already prepared a big upgrade. Lexus says it addressed customer feedback and luke-warm reviews to deliver a new model with faster charging times, an improved 500 km of range, and 280kW of power. This is, by all standards, a comfortable, well-engineered SUV with all the comfort and safety you'd expect from a higher-end electrical vehicle. But things get particularly interesting with the RZ 550e F Sport – a car which looks normal on the outside, but has completely redesigned steering system. The RZ 550e F Sport uses steer-by-wire. MORE: Huge change coming to Aussie roads 2023 Lexus RZ electric SUV. This means there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the tyres. Instead, it uses an actuator to interpret the driver's right and left turns, and then electrically delivers those signals to the steering rack. It's like a video game – you steer and a computer interprets what it thinks you want. It might be relatively new for cars, but its equivalent 'fly-by-wire' has been in commercial planes for years. It's in fighter jets, too. MORE: The baby buy replacing the pram David McCowen in 2023 Lexus RZ. To be honest, I was expecting this to be a drastically different driving experience. I thought there would be a sense of unreality that comes with there being no link between the driver and the tyres. That wasn't the case at all. The RZ 550e F Sport felt perhaps a bit sharper, more precise – but not in a manner that would fundamentally change how a person drives. In fact, it would be easy to forget that the car even used steer-by-wire, were it not for the constant visual reminder that comes in the form of a yoke-style steering wheel. MORE: Gorgeous style for new Italian supercar 2025 Lexus RZ. Picture: Supplied These have been in Australia before. Famously, Tesla's X and S models both had similar designs before reverting back to round. Customer feedback said they were annoying for drivers who struggled to do three-point turns without the hand-space at the top. It normally takes two or three complete revolutions of a wheel to go from lock-to-lock, after all. But in a car with steer-by-wire, the yoke-style wheel makes sense. It takes less than one turn, or a maximum of 200 degrees, to move from centre to full left or right lock. As a bonus, the driver gets better visibility of the dashboard and road ahead. However, while testing the limits of the steering lock, I did find the yoke-style to be a tad uncomfortable. While parking, the driver's arms will likely have to cross over – it might be ergonomic but it didn't feel natural. Not being able to sense the condition and texture of the road through vibrations on the steering wheel also felt strange in the beginning. While I quickly adapted, it is worth noting that I was driving in perfect conditions: hot, dry, well-maintained roads in the middle of Portuguese summer. How this car feels in wet weather, icy conditions, or unexpectedly muddy roads remains to be seen. MORE: New look for family favourite 2025 Lexus RZ. Picture: Supplied But assuming the car handles well in all conditions, most customer reservations will likely come down to safety. Lexus has done what it can to appease anxiety on this matter. It says every element that controls the steer-by-wire system is duplicated with a redundancy. In addition, there's a separate battery that controls the steering, should the car run out of charge and need to be towed. Lexus also stresses that its steering system is different to one used in the 2014 Infiniti Q50, the only other car in Australia to have experimented with steer-by-wire. It was not a successful experiment. The Q50 was broadly panned for its inconsistent handling and faced recalls for steering faults. Infiniti's system had a full mechanical steering system waiting to take over at a moment's notice in case the electric version failed – which Lexus does not use. MORE: $1m hypercar unleashed 2025 Lexus RZ. Picture: Supplied For a vehicle which is pushing boundaries and re-writing a major component of car engineering, the RZ 550e F Sport, does pay homage to ICE engines. This comes in the form of its interactive manual drive. While in 'M' mode, the car's eight virtual gears can be shifted up and down using paddles on the side of the steering wheel. The car replicates a manual experience through the throttle, a tachometer displaying the virtual rpm, and virtual engine sounds that play inside the cabin. Frankly, I wasn't sold on the fake engine noises. It reminded me a little of a Dyson vacuum cleaner pretending to be a car. Most drivers, I imagine, will try the interactive manual mode once, have a laugh, and never touch it again. 2025 Lexus RZ. Picture: Supplied But in a racier mode, it does remind you that this RZ 550e F Sport is no slouch; it gets from 0-100 in 4.4 seconds. When it reaches those higher speeds, it handles them well. The car is comfortable, well-balanced, and the cabin is pleasantly quiet (except for the fake engine sounds, that is). While in M mode, the RZ 550e F Sport feels like a car that's trying to bridge a widening gap between the past and the present of motoring. On one hand, it uses genuinely innovative engineering for its steering technology – a system that could alter the manner in which cars are manufactured and driven forever. On the other, it's clinging to vestiges of old technology, with fake gears and fake engine noises. 2025 Lexus RZ electric SUV. (Picture: Supplied) It's lip service. An apologetic nod to motoring of yore, by a company that's fully dedicated to an electric future. Perhaps I'm a killjoy. I'm sure lots of people will enjoy being able to pretend to have gears in an electric vehicle. Fun doesn't need to make sense. But when we moved from horse and cart to motorised vehicles, humanity didn't agonise over making cars that could neigh, or kick you in the nads if they were angry. Sure, we lose some charm when technology moves on, but that's the price of progress. If the future is electric, it's better, I think, to fully embrace the possibilities that unlocks, rather than resorting to nostalgia for vehicles that are not yet obsolete. All that aside, Lexus clearly has an eye on the horizon with the RZ 550e F Sport.
Motor Trend
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Motor Trend
2026 Lexus RZ First Drive: A Better Electric SUV With Room to Grow
Pros More range Faster AC home charging More power Cons Needs a new driver display No one-pedal driving mode RZ550e's slightly subdued styling On a winding road in sunny Portugal, it took 408 hp and a funky steering wheel to remind us the pleasures of just driving. Remember driving? Not checking your phone every red light, just real, focused driving. The revised-for-2026 Lexus RZ is making a bid to be the electric luxury SUV that brings all that back. The 2026 Lexus RZ offers improved range, a quieter ride, and better charging speeds but lacks some features in the U.S., such as steer-by-wire. The RZ550e F Sport excels in driving excitement, but the U.S. market misses key features, limiting its appeal compared to rivals. This summary was generated by AI using content from this MotorTrend article Read Next Let the 2026 RZ550e F Sport serve as our latest reminder that Lexus has engineered some really entertaining cars over the years. In this same spirit, the luxury brand's latest offering is electric, it's cool, and, well, sadly if you're in the U.S. or China, you can't have the most interesting version—just pieces of it. Updates Everywhere Before now, the RZ's range was so subpar we had trouble seeing its value in a growing market full of all-electric options offering more range for less money. Charge speeds were similarly uncompetitive. In some of the most crucial ways we evaluate electric cars today, the first Lexus EV was outclassed. Now, range on the 2026 Lexus RZ tops out at an estimated 302 miles in the single-motor RZ350e base model. That badge sees a numerical bump from last year's RZ300e model, which had a shorter driving range and a mere 201 hp instead of the 2026's 224 hp. In our experience with a 2024 RZ300e and the new 2026 RZ350e, this variant offers sufficient oomph for most everyday driving. That's especially true when passing at speed versus acceleration from a stop. Dual-motor all-wheel drive is standard on the RZ450e, which now has 313 hp (up 5 hp from before) and a range of 261 miles with 18-inch wheels or 255 when upgrading to 20-inch wheels. Those 20s look great, and hey, 6 miles is well worth the cost in range for the added visual flair they provide. Then there's the new RZ550e, a 408-hp dual-motor AWD model that's only sold in Lexus's F Sport trim. Range is 228 miles, which is OK for an electric luxury SUV with that much power, but ... here's the problem: While Lexus has helpfully increased range, the Genesis GV60—our No. 1 ranked compact electric luxury SUV as this is written—is expected to do the same for 2026. The 2026 RZ is also quieter, a hugely important metric for a luxury SUV that shares a platform with a down-market Toyota (the bZ4X, which becomes the bZ for 2026 and sees similar revisions). We're told the team paid special attention to reducing tire noise for rear occupants customers and even made things a smidge quieter by installing a thicker cargo cover. Huh. Home AC charging speed jumps from 6.6 kW to 11 kW, which meets this segment's standard and is just about where today's home chargers top out anyway. Cadillac offers quicker home charging still for when those chargers speed up in the future. When you're out road-tripping, max charge speed is a just-OK 150 kW, but there's news here, too: The 2026 RZ integrates a Tesla-style NACS port. Now located on the passenger side (unlike the Euro-spec models we drove), the U.S. market's charge port with NACS integration should make longer highway journeys more pleasant and charging easier to find. The 2026 RZ550e F Sportisn't the only modern car to offer a steer-by-wire system, where there's no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels, but it may be the best application yet. Yes, the steering 'yoke' looks like a gimmick, and no one needs steer-by-wire or an airplane-cockpit-inspired steering wheel. But that's a slippery slope. No one needs 408 hp either, yet we like living in a world where an electric Lexus delivers 0–60 thrills quicker than almost every new Lexus offered today. Think of the steer-by-wire tech as the latest in automakers' efforts to make electric cars engaging, though gas cars can have this tech, too. Many electric cars don't inspire a smile when the road ahead curves, but we don't feel that way about the Euro-spec RZ in 550e F Sport form. To be clear, this is no game-changing sports SUV, merely one that will surprise those who associate RZs more with incredible lease deals than with sportiness. The steering is extremely quick, though Lexus has dialed this back a bit from when we first drove an RZ prototype with the system. There is some feel through the steering yoke plus feedback you'll feel through the 550e model's retuned suspension. If you're wondering if this steering tech and new steering wheel are different for the sake of being different or an improvement, the answer is yes. Based on our latest experience with the tech Lexus has been working on for 10 years, some won't see the value in it while a select few enthusiasts may see it as a key differentiator. There's even a manual mode that generates futuristic acceleration noises, a little faux shift shock, and, get this, it bounces those noises off a fake rev limiter if you don't 'upshift' in time. That's a great detail we will get in the U.S. But we won't get the steer-by-wire, the steering yoke, or VCIM, a tech that is said to help keep the ride flatter and more comfortable. Our big question: Will the RZ550e still feel as F Sporty without those details, steered by way of a conventional round wheel? 2026 RZ: The Rest of the Package While the U.S.-spec RZ550e's thrill factor isn't clear, we do want to call attention to a luxury feature that's equal parts function and magic trick. The RZ again offers the brand's Dynamic Sky glass roof, a feature we've seen on other cars and first experienced years ago on the Toyota Venza. Instead of doing something silly like automakers that offer glass-roof cars without a way to shield passengers from the sun, this tech delivers most of the benefits of an old-fashioned retractable roof cover. In the 2026 RZ, the tech has been updated to block more of the sun when it's opaque and show a bit more when you hit the button to see what's above you. We've tested it and can confirm it's super cool. We like that tech, but Lexus needs to install a bigger and redesigned driver display. Even with the unobstructed view of the display we had thanks to the Euro-spec SUV's steering yoke, the screen's contents are jumbled. We also would like the option of one-pedal driving, where you can slow the vehicle to a stop simply by lifting one's foot off the accelerator. The 2026 RZ offers multiple levels of regen via steering wheel paddles that can slow the RZ this way, but a full one-pedal option that brings it to a complete stop isn't available. We don't mind that one-pedal driving isn't as efficient as coasting; it's an interesting alternative driving style some now prefer, especially around town. If part of luxury is customizing an experience the way you want, a well-tuned one-pedal driving model should be part of the package, as it is elsewhere. Is the RZ Finally Good? Yes, the newly updated 2026 Lexus RZ is good. Well, it's better, anyway. Loyal Lexus customers who appreciate the brand's core values—luxury, quality, and a consistently excellent dealer experience—should love the improved range, quietness, and home-charging speed. Anyone who cross-shops, however, will find even better range and public fast-charging speed elsewhere. That doesn't even begin to account for the Tesla Model Y's surprisingly capacious interior. Tesla isn't as respected as it once was, and its interior quality can't touch the RZ's, but the Model Y's ubiquity and similar model structure make it a good bogey in addition to the Genesis GV60. Perhaps the pre-2026 RZ simply had too much ground to make up in one update. Taken as a whole, the U.S.-spec 2026 RZ lineup may not attract much attention beyond buyers already set on Lexus, but those who do try it are getting a better SUV than before.
Motor 1
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Toyota's Simulated Gearbox Is Coming to America
The only fully electric Lexus just received a big makeover. Changes to the outside are minimal, but underneath, the 2026 Lexus RZ crossover has been totally overhauled with new battery and motor tech, along with a standard NACS charging port and a simulated paddle-shifted transmission. Lexus says changes to the battery, charging system, and motors have led to more power, more range, and reduced charging times. There are now three trims available: The base RZ 350e, the mid-tier RZ 450e, and a new range-topping RZ 550e F Sport. The base car sends power to the front wheels via a single electric motor, while the two more expensive trims get all-wheel drive thanks to an additional motor at the rear. Photo by: Lexus Photo by: Lexus The 550e F Sport is the big news here. Lexus claims a total output of 402 horsepower, with a 0-60 mph time of just 4.1 seconds. Range is the worst of the bunch, at an estimated 225 miles. That's still better than the outgoing 450e, though a new 76.96-kWh battery pack definitely helps. The sporty RZ comes standard with a new system Lexus calls M Mode. It acts as a simulated paddle-shifted automatic gearbox "to deliver a sportier, more responsive driving feel." It's unclear if the system acts similarly to those found in certain Hyundais or Kias, where the motors are tuned to cut off once each gear reaches "redline," or if it acts differently. Lexus says the system "allows drivers to control power output with paddle shifters, as if using a manual transmission." Either way, we're glad more automakers are beginning to see the benefits of a simulated transmission for electric vehicles. So far, only Hyundai and Kia have put such systems into production. But they've received near-universal praise—so much so that other companies like Ford and BMW are considering on their own versions . Toyota was one of the pioneers of the tech, with plans to develop a clutch-operated manual EV as far back as 2022 . The two lesser 2026 RZ trims don't get M Mode, but they do get a new 74.69-kWh battery pack. The front-wheel drive 350e is the range king, delivering an estimated 300 miles between charges when equipped with smaller, more efficient 18-inch wheels. It makes 221 hp, enough for a zero to 60 sprint of 7.1 seconds. Opt for the 450e AWD, and maximum range drops to 260 miles. You get 308 hp for your troubles, enough to sprint to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds. No matter the trim, Lexus promises the RZ can charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 30 minutes via DC fast charging "under ideal conditions." Photo by: Lexus Weirdly, none of the three trims are getting the steering yoke or steer-by-wire system promised to overseas variants. Whether that's due to disinterest amongst American buyers or a regulatory roadblock is unclear. Either way, pricing should be available a bit before deliveries begin later this year. More on Toyota EVs Toyota Is Making Three New EVs, Including a Pickup Toyota Is Slowing Its Roll on EVs Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Gallery: 2026 Lexus RZ (U.S. Spec) 18 Source: Lexus Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Car and Driver
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2026 Lexus RZ's Power Bump Is Coming to the U.S. but Not the Yoke
The 2026 Lexus RZ gets numerous updates to its powertrain and battery packs. The RZ550e is a new top-performance model with 402 hp, and all versions now have a longer estimated driving range. Lexus says the yoke-style steering wheel and steer-by-wire system won't yet be offered in the U.S. market. Lexus first revealed information about the updated RZ a few months ago, and now we have U.S.-specific details about the changes coming to this luxury EV SUV for the new model year. The 2026 Lexus RZ for our shores boasts additional power for the base model, a new 402-hp RZ550e F Sport trim level, and longer range thanks to battery updates. It also now has a NACS charging port, meaning it can use Tesla Superchargers for DC fast-charging. But the RZ's biggest new feature—the steer-by-wire system with a yoke controller replacing the traditional steering wheel—won't be coming to the U.S. market. Lexus confirmed to Car and Driver that the steer-by-wire system will not yet be available in the U.S.-spec RZ. We previously drove this system in a prototype in 2023, and it will be offered in the Europe-spec RZ, but we don't have a timeline for when or if it will reach U.S. models. Lexus Otherwise, the base front-wheel-drive trim is now the RZ350e, and it has 221 hp. That's 20 hp more than the previous RZ300e, and it now claims 300 miles of range, a significant uptick from the previous 266-mile rating. The all-wheel-drive RZ450e has the same 308 hp as before, but its range is up too, now an estimated 260 miles compared with 220 miles before. All 2026 RZs will have the NACS (North American Charging Standard) charging port, and Lexus says it will be able to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in 30 minutes. Lexus The new top model is the RZ550e F Sport, and it has a dual-motor setup with 402 horsepower, which Lexus says will get it to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. This model has a slightly larger battery pack—77 kWh compared with 75 kWh for the other models—but the least range of the bunch, at an estimated 225 miles. It also has styling tweaks and a new "manual-shift" M Mode meant to mimic the shifts of a conventional transmission in a gas car. Lexus hasn't yet released pricing, but it says that the 2026 RZ will arrive in the U.S. later this year. It will likely start at around $45,000 and rise above $60,000 for the RZ550e F Sport. Joey Capparella Deputy Editor, Rankings Content Despite being raised on a steady diet of base-model Hondas and Toyotas—or perhaps because of it—Joey Capparella nonetheless cultivated an obsession for the automotive industry throughout his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee. He found a way to write about cars for the school newspaper during his college years at Rice University, which eventually led him to move to Ann Arbor, Michigan, for his first professional auto-writing gig at Automobile Magazine. He has been part of the Car and Driver team since 2016 and now lives in New York City.
