The Lexus RZ Megathread (550e, 500e 350e)

[ericjtsang]

wow a base model and big price cuts

 

[Flagship1]

wow a base model and big price cuts

i suspect in anticipation of $7500 going away they proactively discount it. Question becomes how they structure their programs after this.

 

[ericjtsang]

i suspect in anticipation of $7500 going away they proactively discount it. Question becomes how they structure their programs after this.

yeah, i added a 300e in july with the $15k lease incentive + additional dealer discount. half of the 15k was from lexus and the other half was the govt. now that the govt subsidies look to be ending, it's easier to advertise a lower starting price than continuing to always offer a big rebate.

 

[Tragic Bronson]

i suspect in anticipation of $7500 going away they proactively discount it. Question becomes how they structure their programs after this.

And it just happened

The Lexus RZ just got a lot more expensive for some buyers. Per a bulletin sent to dealers, Lexus RZ rebates quietly disappeared in most parts of the country late last week, potentially creating a $7,500 price increase for buyers. However, we found some notable Lexus RZ incentives that are still available for the taking.

Last Thursday, Lexus told its dealers that it was eliminating a $7,500 rebate on both the 2024 and 2025 Lexus RZ. Previously, the so-called Lexus Cash incentive was worth $7,500 on both models. We checked the Lexus website today and confirmed that the RZ rebates are no longer being advertised in many regions.

https://www.carsdirect.com/deals-articles/massive-lexus-rz-rebates-just-evaporated

 

[Motor]

Lexus Presents the World Premiere of the New "RZ" | Lexus | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website

Lexus introduced the new RZ, a dedicated battery EV (BEV) model, in Brussels, Belgium. The release is planned to gradually roll out across various regions beginning in fall 2025.

global.toyota

• Continuously pursuing the 'The Natural' driving concept to further refine the Lexus Driving Signature
• Optimizing the battery EV system to achieve a 20%*1 increase in driving range and shorter charging times
• Expanding the lineup with the high-output motor-equipped RZ 550e F SPORT
• Accelerating the 'Dialogue between Driver and Vehicle' with the adoption of a Steer-by-Wire System for a new driving experience
• Introducing Interactive Manual Drive, a feature enabling manual-like control of drive force for an engaging driving experience

 

[mikeavelli]

I like the styling of the F Sport

 

[Kelvin2020]

 

[ssun30]

Finally something interesting from the brand. Although these improvements should have been here three years ago.

For reference the new rz350e has 20% longer range than RZ300e. RZ500e has 15% longer range than RZ450e on eco wheels. RZ550e has 12% longer range than RZ450e on sport wheels.

 

[NVlaar]

 

[Kelvin2020]

Now only two more left in the RZ lineup, the trademarked 600e and F

 

[internalaudit]

Lexus makes the DIRECT4 plus brake-based torque vectoring sound like something really special. I think this is very much like Nissan Ariya's "e-4ORCE" all-wheel drive.

As long as the chassis is well controlled, reducing lifts and nose-dives, I guess it's already a very good thing.

I still think among BEVs, these Lexus/Toyota ones are going to easily last 12-14 years with little to no issues.


Not really sure why the automotive press still thinks Toyota hasn't mastered building BEVs. If the AWD is always on, they complain about the impact to the driving range, but if the AWD is reactive and real-time, they will complain its response is not as fast.

https://www.motortrend.com/news/2026-toyota-c-hr-plus-ev-first-look-review/

We’re told new motors are more efficient than what’s currently used in the bZ4x, but interestingly all-wheel-drive models use two permanent-magnet motors and neither one has an axle disconnect. That strange decision suggests Toyota is still learning the basics of EV Design 101.

 

[sl0519]

View attachment 9994

Finally something interesting from the brand. Although these improvements should have been here three years ago.

For reference the new rz350e has 20% longer range than RZ300e. RZ500e has 15% longer range than RZ450e on eco wheels. RZ550e has 12% longer range than RZ450e on sport wheels.

Looks like they have no interest in developing a new i6 engine at all. They're really doubling down on EVs, but I don't think I want to deal with charging at all. I guess switching brands is the only option? Cmon Lexus...

 

[carguy420]

So TMC can actually produce EVs that aren't meh lol

Congratulations to the few people that recently bought their previous EVs though 😂

 

[sl0519]

So TMC can actually produce EVs that aren't meh lol

Congratulations to the few people that recently bought their previous EVs though 😂

Nah they're just doing the bare minimum to keep up lol. Chinese EVs are so far ahead at this point that they'll completely humiliate them and put them to shame. That said, at least it's a good start - better than nothing. But if they don’t step up soon, they’ll be left even further behind.

 

[carguy420]

Nah they're just doing the bare minimum to keep up lol. Chinese EVs are so far ahead at this point that they'll completely humiliate them and put them to shame. That said, at least it's a good start - better than nothing. But if they don’t step up soon, they’ll be left even further behind.

"Aren't meh" as in they aren't doing well below even just the bare minimum, not saying what they have right now is top notch lol. Say whatever you want, but I couldn't care less about a country full of car manufacturers that still can't even design and mass produce half decent pure ICEs by themselves, yet still like to pretend they are experts in cars and only know how to make soyass, slapped together EVs that are quick in a straight line, but drive like a floaty mess when going over road imperfections and through corners.

 

[internalaudit]

"Aren't meh" as in they aren't doing well below even just the bare minimum, not saying what they have right now is top notch lol. Say whatever you want, but I couldn't care less about a country full of car manufacturers that still can't even design and mass produce half decent pure ICEs by themselves, yet still like to pretend they are experts in cars and only know how to make soyass, slapped together EVs that are quick in a straight line, but drive like a floaty mess when going over road imperfections and through corners.

Yeah, that's true of many Chinese vehicles lol.

They're great with 0-60 but that's about all besides the cheap entry price.

 

[CRSKTN]

View attachment 9994

The other one might be a Lexus.

 

[blackjack214]

Yaaaa! The car no one asked for got released!!

 

[ssun30]

"Aren't meh" as in they aren't doing well below even just the bare minimum, not saying what they have right now is top notch lol. Say whatever you want, but I couldn't care less about a country full of car manufacturers that still can't even design and mass produce half decent pure ICEs by themselves, yet still like to pretend they are experts in cars and only know how to make soyass, slapped together EVs that are quick in a straight line, but drive like a floaty mess when going over road imperfections and through corners.

You have no idea how easy it is to get a good riding and handling Chinese EV for a low price. Adaptive and semi-active suspensions are standard equipment on many cars sold between ¥200k and ¥400k. And you can get fully active suspensions that ride no worse than Mercedes AirMatic on cars 1/5 the price of a Maybach. Noise reduction wheels and tires, dual pane windows, zero gravity seats are also standard equipment on even non-luxury cars. And "poor handling" Chinese EVs are setting one lap record after another and even Porsche now has to take them seriously.

And let's not forget how quickly GWM is stealing market share from Toyota trucks in Australia. And GWM mostly makes ICEVs.

If you want to dismiss Chinese cars at least use the right argument. These cars are over equipped and will have parts fail right after warranty expires and becomes a money sink after 100000km. But you can say the same for many German cars.

 

[sl0519]

You have no idea how easy it is to get a good riding and handling Chinese EV for a low price. Adaptive and semi-active suspensions are standard equipment on many cars sold between ¥200k and ¥400k. And you can get fully active suspensions that ride no worse than Mercedes AirMatic on cars 1/5 the price of a Maybach. Noise reduction wheels and tires, dual pane windows, zero gravity seats are also standard equipment on even non-luxury cars. And "poor handling" Chinese EVs are setting one lap record after another and even Porsche now has to take them seriously.

And let's not forget how quickly GWM is stealing market share from Toyota trucks in Australia. And GWM mostly makes ICEVs.

If you want to dismiss Chinese cars at least use the right argument. These cars are over equipped and will have parts fail right after warranty expires and becomes a money sink after 100000km. But you can say the same for many German cars.

I don't recall if I've ever posted it but people might wanna check this out:

Spoiler: Bonus

I usually don’t like to advocate Chinese stuff, but I think a lot of people are still living in their own bubble, and this video essentially proves that. If these kinds of vehicles were to enter the U.S. market, it would likely trigger a major industry shake-up, and I don’t think traditional automakers would fare too well in the face of such disruption.