Lexus RZ500e Dynamic review: out of the ether and suddenly a contender

There's been a lot of recalibration with the new Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic. First, where it sits in the market: in previous 450e form it was the flagship of the first-generation RZ EV range at $151,900, positioned well above the RX petrol-electric hybrid.

Now, the 450e has become the 500e and despite the bigger number it's the new entry point to the RZ range. The former Core model has been discontinued and there's a new flagship RZ, the 550e F Sport.

More significantly, the RZ in general is also now positioned underneath the RX, which has brought a whopping $42k price cut for the RZ 500e Dynamic to $109,900.

There's also been some powertrain recalibration, with changes to the battery and electric motors to improve all-round performance.

On the outside: what are the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic's main design features?

While the RZ 500e is a whole new proposition for premium EV buyers now, on the outside it's very much the same RZ. Lexus has left it to the new 550e F Sport to shake up the styling picture with wings and things, but you really can't pick the new 500e from the old. Well, apart from the "500e" badge on the back.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic cabin like?

Stunning interior quality is a given with any Lexus and the RZ does not disappoint. Deep carpet that makes you want to slip your shoes off and a few traditional touches among all the tech, like a trip computer that you reset using a physical button on the dashboard, are also givens. Again, the RZ does not disappoint.

The Lexus RZ cabin experience continues to provide some of the best car-based Somatic Therapy around. 

There's plenty to ooh-and-aah over in the RZ cabin, with a nicely intergated 14-inch infotainment screen and ambient lighting that animates a restful wave-like pattern over the front door cards at night. Nowhere to put your driving gloves, though: still no glovebox for the RZ, the space taken up by heating hardware. The old-school printed handbook (another Lexus given) sits under the centre-console bridge on a shelf.

The blue-imbued interior colour scheme (Lexus calls it Orage) did offend a couple of people, but we're fans. You can also have black/grey, but Orage is a particularly nice match with our car's Ether Metallic (again, it's blue, people...) exterior.

The tech can seem overwhelming at first, but there's a lot of ergonomic good sense here. It's easy to navigate the main screen and the Lexus-signature touch controllers on the steering wheel display your thumb-choices on the large colour head-up display. You can flick between functions for each controller and they're partly configurable, although you have to delve into the infotainment menu for that.

The standout new feature for the 550e F Sport, the steer-by-wire (SBW) system with a yoke controller, is also available on the 500e Dynamic for an extra $10k. That gives the Dynamic one-up on the F Sport, because on the flagship model you don't have the choice: it's standard.

SBW is more of a subject for a forthcoming F Sport review, because our Dynamic wasn't fitted with it. But if we can digress for a moment; while we're fans of SBW in a dynamic sense, the conventional RZ gets a nicer-feeling wheel and it's a superior configuration from an ergonomic point of view. The SBW indicator stalks and regen paddles turn with the wheel (which makes sense) but are awkwardly positioned, in that you have to kind of reach for them from the only possible hand position on the wheel (which doesn't make sense). 

The conventional 500e setup with the round wheel leaves everything attached to the steering column, and more importantly everything is positioned right at your fingertips.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic like to drive?

While there's not much new to see on the outside of the 500e Dynamic, Lexus has been very busy with the underpinnings. Well, Toyota has been very busy, actually: the RZ picks up the battery and e-motor changes from the upgraded bZ4X, a model with which it shares its platform and core technology package.

The Dynamic is slightly less powerful and a lot less leery-looking than the F Sport, but in truth it's not a lot slower.

A slightly larger battery and better thermal management combine to address one of the big issues with the previous model, so-so range: it's up significantly, from 395km to 460km. Changes to the e-axles also help extract those extra kays.

Peak DC charging remains at 150kW, but Lexus says the RZ still replenishes more quickly, because the improved cooling helps keep it at the optimum rate for longer. AC charging ability has increased to 22kW, if you have access to the that level of power (most home wallbox-type units are 7kW).

On the road, it's incredibly swish and ultra-refined: a good Lexus and a good EV, with rapid performance for a luxury car and unflappable, high-traction power delivery on tricky roads. The Dynamic is slightly less powerful and a lot less leery-looking than the F Sport, but in truth it's not a lot slower: 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds is just 0.2sec off the pace of the flagship model.

The Dynamic comes up trumps in ride, too, if that's what you want from your Lexus (and surely you do). The suspension has Frequency Reactive Dampers at the front that adjust according to the size of the bumps you're tackling, but it's softer overall than the sports-tuned setup in the F Sport.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic warranty and servicing situation?

The vehicle is covered for 4 years/unlimited km, with 8 years/160,000km for the high-voltage battery. Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km.

On the whole: what do we think of the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic?

It feels like the Lexus RZ has come of age in this model update, even if there's not a lot on the outside to celebrate it. Formerly silly-expensive, the Dynamic is now unbelieveably good value among the premium-EV competition. Although we'd assume Lexus NZ will be sending a letter of apology to those who stumped up for the previous one.

Finessing of the battery and electric motors have made this a much better EV, with better range. And the cabin experience continues to provide some of the best car-based Somatic Therapy around. 

Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic FAQs

What kind of car is the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic?

A 5-door SUV.

Does the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic have hybrid or EV technology?

It's pure-electric.

How efficient is the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic?

Lexus claims 17.9kWh/100km and range is 460km (4P-WLTP).

Is the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic safe?

The RZ has a 5-star ANCAP rating, valid until December 2031.

What safety and assistance features does the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic have?

What are the Lexus RZ 500e Dynamic's main rivals?

• Cadillac Lyriq Luxury ($95,000): Same luxury/performance attitude and another one that's dropped in price big-time.
• Polestar 4 Long Range Dual Motor ($119,900): Avant-garde style, sporty character... and no back window.
• Audi Q6 e-tron quattro ($136,990): Accomplished, but expensive if you want dual-motor AWD.
• Zeekr 7X Performance ($94,990): Bit of a wild card, but a convincing Chinese rival for established luxury brands.
• Toyota bZ4X Motion ($68,990): Similar underneath, slightly down on power and not nearly as swish inside.