The future of the Lexus brand is with an all-electric lineup that begins with the new 2023 Lexus RZ450e, which arrives later this year.

This crossover is the first model to drive with an EV powertrain while showing off the signature spindle grille from this brand. The model tested before the model year began offered some incomplete features, leaving some unanswered questions. This new SUV made its way to a track near Barcelona, Spain, to give reviewers a look at what it could bring to the market. This is the first time we’ve seen this SUV in a nearly complete package.

The RZ Shares a Platform with the BZ

It’s not too confusing when you break it down. Toyota developed a global platform for its new electric vehicles. This e-TNGA platform underpins the new RZ450e and the Toyota BZ4X. If two isn’t enough for you, the new electric Subaru Solterra shares this platform, giving us a trio of models that will use this same build to provide the desired qualities. Don’t worry; the Lexus model isn’t watered-down because it shares a platform. Instead, this new luxury SUV gives us an excellent package of features for the drive.

Plenty of Power for the Lexus RZ

If you understand anything about electric vehicles, you know that these models offer instant torque performance, allowing them to rocket off the line quickly. The Lexus RZ450e certainly does this. The standard setup is a dual-motor AWD layout that delivers 201 horsepower in the front and 107 horsepower in the rear. This SUV provides quick acceleration and plenty of grips, making it a fun and active SUV that could be fun on any road. Taking it to the track is a joy, but it’s likely not to spend much time there.

Track Driving Leaves Something Out

While the team that tested the RZ450e in Spain certainly got to have a lot of fun with this SUV, something was missing. This SUV pushed hard and proved the first part to let go of the front of the vehicle while delivering excellent driving performance with the suspension and grip that offers a little body roll without ever letting go. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know whether or not this SUV is good on a bumpy road because it was tested on a smooth track.

Lexus Offers an Interesting Feature in the RZ450e

One aspect of bringing more track features to the masses is to take away the steering wheel in favor of a steering yoke. The only problem is that traditional steering systems still require a hand-over-hand approach to full turns. Doing this with a wheel makes sense, but it does not with a yoke. Thankfully, Lexus has an answer for this problem with a new Steer-by-Wire system. The team testing the RZ in Spain got to experience a traditional steering setup with a wheel and one with the yoke and the new Steer-by-Wire system.

The conventional system is reported to work and act as expected, offering a system that gives you the desired feeling and drive that makes sense on the road—nothing exciting or new to report regarding this traditional setup.

The Steer-by-Wire system with the yoke does things much differently. This system has no physical connection to the steering column, which allows the system to constantly adjust the ratio to allow for the correct type of steering. The yoke is never turned more than 150 degrees, so you never have to go into a hand-over-hand situation while driving. The yoke leaves a bit to be desired in the comfort area, but it does a great job handling the steering needed.

Lexus Needs Better Charging and Range

The Lexus RZ450e sounds like an SUV that can be fun to drive, but the fun is over too soon if that drive is limited. Unfortunately, the estimated range of this SUV with 18-inch wheels is 225 miles and only 200 miles with the 20-inch wheels. The charging is slow, with a fast-charge rate of 150-kW that takes the batteries to 80 percent in 30 minutes. Unfortunately, that’s not anything you want to boast about because other models offer many better-charging speeds and driving ranges.

The Interior Brings Plenty to Enjoy

The interior area of the RZ delivers a radically different feeling from the models that share the platform. This SUV has a fully digital gauge screen that looks great. The infotainment system reminds you of the NX SUV, and the electronics are impressive. The seats are comfortable, and you’ll love the flat floor, with is part of what you should expect in all EV models in the future. The only drawback to the interior is the lack of a frunk, which was eliminated because Lexus put the front drivetrain elements on their side.

A Lot to Learn, but Still a Great Option

If you’re looking for a luxury SUV with an electric powertrain that can deliver the drive you want and the comfort you expect, the new Lexus RZ450e could be right. This new model arrives for the 2023 model year and should be available for sale in November. The lack of driving range might only be a problem for you if you want an SUV for road trips, which won’t be where this Lexus shines.

It does shine with the new steering yoke and Steer-by-Wire driving system. At the same time, the yoke might take a while to get used to; it’s much better in the Lexus than in anything you see offered by Tesla. The unique steering system could deliver the future of steering vehicles, making driving much easier for most people.

Are You Looking Forward to this Lexus EV?

If you’ve been waiting for the first Lexus EV model to arrive on the market, it’s almost here. The new RZ450e is the first entry for a brand committed to becoming an EV brand for the future. Will you drive this new Lexus EV? You’ll be able to answer that question better when this SUV arrives at Lexus dealerships later this year.