EV buyers in the United States will be able to order the 2027 Lexus RZ from $47,495, with a manufacturer-estimated range of up to 301 miles in the base RZ 350e, while the top RZ 550e F Sport offers 402 horsepower, 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a simulated eight-speed manual.
Lexus presented the updated all-electric SUV on 26 October 2026, from its US headquarters in Plano, Texas. The 2027 RZ is expected to reach dealerships early next year.
The car is assembled at the Motomachi plant in Japan. It comes with three powertrains, three trim grades (Premium, Luxury and F Sport) and a fast-charging port that plugs straight into Tesla Superchargers.
Three versions, from 221 to 402 horsepower
The entry model is the RZ 350e FWD, with 221 horsepower sent to the front wheels. Lexus pitches it as the balanced choice for everyday driving, with the quietness and comfort expected from the brand.
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The middle option, the RZ 450e AWD, adds a rear motor and the brand’s DIRECT4 all-wheel drive for a total of 308 horsepower. Electrek reports it starts at $50,995, which is $3,500 more than the base car.
At the top sits the RZ 550e F Sport AWD, with 402 horsepower and a 0 to 60 mph time of 4.1 seconds, according to Lexus. That makes it the quickest RZ so far. Electrek lists its starting price at $58,770.
Range drops as power goes up
The longest range belongs to the cheapest car. Lexus gives the RZ 350e FWD a manufacturer-estimated rating of 301 miles, roughly 484 kilometres, on 18-inch wheels.
The RZ 450e AWD falls to 260 miles on the same 18-inch wheels. The RZ 550e F Sport, on larger 20-inch wheels, has an estimated range of approximately 229 miles, about 369 kilometres.
Battery capacity is 74.69 kWh for the 350e and 450e, and 76.96 kWh for the 550e F Sport, according to the Lexus press release. An advanced water-cooling system manages both the battery and the electric drive.
A Tesla-style charging port as standard
Every 2027 RZ has a North American Charging System port, also known as SAE J3400, on the passenger side. That gives drivers direct access to thousands of high-speed chargers, including Tesla’s network, without an adaptor.
Under ideal conditions, DC fast charging takes the battery from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes, Lexus says. At home, the car accepts Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging through an 11 kW on-board charger.
An electric SUV that pretends to shift gears
The most unusual feature is on the F Sport. It debuts M Mode, an electronic system that uses paddle shifters to recreate the feeling of a manual gearbox in a car that has no gears to change.
The system simulates eight virtual gears, complete with artificial engine and exhaust sounds and a shift guide in the instrument display. Lexus says it lets drivers modulate power in a more engaging way.
Purists may roll their eyes, but it is an honest answer to a common complaint about electric cars: they are fast, but they can feel a little too smooth and silent for people who love driving.
How DIRECT4 splits the power
On the two all-wheel-drive versions, DIRECT4 varies the power between the axles. When starting off and accelerating in a straight line, the front-to-rear split moves between 60:40 and 0:100 to reduce pitch.
In corners, the system distributes the drive force between 80:20 and 0:100, using data such as speed and steering angle. When the driver selects Range mode to maximise efficiency, the balance is held at 50:50.
Heated and ventilated seats in every version
Inside, NuLuxe-trimmed seats are standard, while the Luxury and F Sport grades get Ultrasuede seats and laser-etched Ultrasuede door inserts. Every RZ includes heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel.
The dashboard is dominated by a 14-inch touchscreen running the Lexus Interface system, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An optional panoramic glass roof can be dimmed to control the light in the cabin.
Six colours and a phone that works as a key
Buyers can choose between Oxygen White, Cloudburst Gray, Iridium, Caviar, Copper Crest and Ether. The F Sport adds a colour called Wind and a set of two-tone options.
A compatible smartphone can work as the key through the Lexus app, which can also start the car remotely and adjust the climate control before a trip.
The available Advanced Park system uses four cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors to steer, brake and accelerate into a parking space, and its Remote Park function lets the driver run the manoeuvre from the phone.
Sales nearly doubled before the update
The update arrives at a good moment for the model. According to Electrek, Lexus sold more than 10,000 RZs through September, against 5,340 in the same period last year.
Electrek links that jump to the updated RZ launched last year. For 2027, Lexus keeps the three powertrains and makes heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard on every version.
The price gap with the Tesla Model Y
Lexus still has to justify its premium. Electrek points out that the $47,495 RZ costs $7,500 more than the Tesla Model Y, which starts at $39,990 and offers up to 321 miles of range.
The Lexus answer is the cabin, the quietness and the badge. Whether that is worth $7,500 and 20 fewer miles of range is the question every buyer in this segment will have to answer for themselves, using the full Lexus specifications.
Would you pay $7,500 more for a Lexus RZ with 301 miles of range, or stick with the cheaper Tesla Model Y?
