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

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

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

Gone is the sole RZ450e variant currently available in Australia, with the RZ500e taking its place alongside the new RZ550e F Sport, a higher performance variant.

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The RZ500e is a direct replacement 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 in the RZ500e completing the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds, a saving of seven-tenths compared to the RZ450e.

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

Both variants benefit 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 features a simulated eight-speed transmission, which drivers can control to replicate the feeling of a traditional engine-powered car.

The size 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, leading to a 14 per cent increase in driving range for the RZ500e when compared to the outgoing RZ450e – claiming it can run for approximately 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 features a claimed driving range of approximately 450km, also against the WLTP cycle.

According to Lexus, the RZ is also now fitted with an “optimised charging system”, resulting in charging time reductions of up to 30 minutes – presumably when AC charging, as it could previously be charged from 0-80 per cent in a claimed 30 minutes using a DC fast-charger.

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

The RZ300e was previously under assessment for Australia, however it appears the RZ350e – which produces 167kW/269Nm and can run for up to 575km – won’t be a part of the late-2025 launch.

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

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

This system changes the gear ratio based on the vehicle’s speed, which Lexus claims “[aids] low-speed maneuverability, agile handling on winding roads, and better stability at highway speeds”, with the wheel only able to move up to 200 degrees.

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

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

Other changes for the 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 springs.

Buyers will be able to order the new F Sport-exclusive Nuetrino Grey finish alongside four monotone and four two-tone colour options.

Certain grades – to be confirmed for Australia – can also be fitted with a dimmable panoramic roof, as well as 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.

MORE: Everything Lexus RZ