The latest evolution of Lexus’s electric crossover arrives with a clear message: performance is no longer optional in a luxury BEV SUV. The new RZ lineup adds serious power, sharper dynamics and a more expressive design, positioning Lexus to chase drivers who want both refinement and real pace in a battery powered family car.
From quiet crossover to performance flagship
The RZ started life as a relatively conservative entry into the premium electric SUV space, but the newest versions push it firmly into performance territory. Lexus now treats the RZ as a showcase for what its dedicated BEV platform can do, using more powerful dual motor setups and sport focused tuning to move beyond the brand’s hybrid comfort zone.
That shift is clearest in the introduction of the RZ 550e F SPORT AWD, which Lexus itself frames as the most powerful RZ yet, with a quoted 4.1 second sprint from zero to 60 mph and a total output of 402 TOTAL SYSTEM HORSEPOWER for the all wheel drive setup, figures that are highlighted in the official description of the RZ 550e. Lexus pairs that flagship with a more efficiency oriented RZ 350e that targets a MANUFACTURER EST RANGE of 301 MILES, giving the SUV family a clear split between long range touring and outright performance.
Thoroughly reworked for 2026
Lexus is not treating this as a mild model year tweak, but as a comprehensive overhaul of its electric SUV. The company describes the 2026 RZ line as Thoroughly enhanced, with revisions that touch the powertrain, chassis tuning and cabin technology to deliver both stronger acceleration and a new driving experience that feels more in line with the brand’s recent performance push.
In material shared from PLANO, Texas, Lexus details how the 2026 RZ gains additional power options, updated control software and a broader trim walk, all of which are bundled into what it calls the Thoroughly enhanced battery electric RZ line. The company positions these changes as a response to customer demand for more engaging EVs, while still promising the quietness and smoothness that have long defined Lexus products.
Built in Motomachi, aimed at a global audience
Production of the updated RZ underscores how seriously Lexus is taking this vehicle as a global halo for its electric ambitions. The SUV is assembled at the Motomachi plant, a facility in Motomachi, Japan and long associated with some of the brand’s most advanced projects, which gives the RZ access to experienced EV manufacturing processes and tight quality control.
Lexus notes that the RZ originally launched in 2023 and that the refreshed 2026 version is expected to go on sale later this year, a timeline that reflects how quickly the company is iterating on its first dedicated BEV SUV to keep pace with rivals and customer expectations, according to a release that highlights the Introduction of the latest model. By keeping production in Japan while marketing the RZ aggressively in North America and Europe, Lexus is clearly positioning the SUV as a core global product rather than a niche experiment.
Design: captivating from every angle
Visually, the new RZ leans harder into its role as a performance SUV without abandoning Lexus’s emphasis on understated luxury. The exterior is described as Captivating from Every Angle, with a sculpted body that integrates the brand’s latest spindle body language into a cleaner, EV friendly shape, and a stance that reads more athletic than the original RZ.
Trim levels such as PREMIUM, LUXURY and F SPORT are paired with details like Oxygen White paint and 18 inch five spoke alloy wheels with Dark Gray Metallic accents, reinforcing the idea that this is still a design led Lexus even as it chases quicker lap times and stronger acceleration, a balance that is spelled out in the official overview of the Captivating RZ exterior. Inside, the cabin continues that theme with minimalist lines and premium materials, aiming to make the performance focus feel like an upgrade rather than a compromise.
Powertrains: from efficient cruiser to 408 DIN hp
Under the skin, the RZ family now spans a wide performance envelope, from efficiency focused variants to genuinely quick dual motor setups. The RZ 350e targets drivers who prioritize range, with Lexus quoting a MANUFACTURER EST RANGE of 301 MILES that is intended to make daily commuting and longer road trips viable without constant charging stops, while still delivering the instant torque that defines modern EVs.
At the other end of the spectrum, Lexus has developed a powertrain with a maximum power output of 408 DIN hp and 300 k, which enables acceleration from rest to 100 km in just 4.4 seconds and supports a higher top speed than earlier RZ versions, according to technical details shared for the Jun DIN specification. That output aligns with the 408 figure highlighted for the RZ 550e F Sport, which is described as delivering 408 horsepower through dual motors and advanced all wheel drive in a video walkaround of the Lexus RZ Sport, underscoring how central that output has become to the SUV’s identity.
Chassis and drive modes: sportier by design
Lexus has also worked to ensure that the RZ’s handling keeps up with its straight line numbers. The company emphasizes that the 2026 model delivers a Sportier Drive With New Mode, adding a dedicated setting that sharpens throttle response, adjusts steering weight and coordinates simulated gear changes in real time to give drivers a more connected feel behind the wheel.
This new calibration sits alongside the brand’s latest all wheel drive control, which is designed to shuffle torque proactively between the front and rear motors for better traction and more neutral cornering, a setup that is described in detail in a breakdown of the Sportier Drive With New Mode. For drivers, that means the RZ should feel less like a softly sprung crossover and more like a genuinely athletic SUV when the road turns twisty, while still defaulting to comfort in its normal settings.
RZ 450e AWD and the “More of” philosophy
Not every buyer will gravitate to the most powerful RZ, and Lexus has tailored the 450e AWD to serve as a middle ground between efficiency and performance. The company describes this variant as offering amplified performance through a revised all wheel drive system that balances power delivery and stability, giving the SUV stronger acceleration without sacrificing the calm, predictable behavior that many Lexus owners expect.
That approach fits into a broader promise of More of everything you want, a phrase Lexus uses to capture how the RZ 450e AWD combines innovations designed to help you go further with refined indulgences that reward from within, as outlined in the official description of the More of all wheel drive model. In practice, that means the 450e is pitched as the sweet spot for drivers who want a brisk, confident EV without stepping all the way up to the flagship 550e.
Special edition RZ 600e “F SPORT Performance”
The most dramatic expression of Lexus’s new performance mindset arrives in the form of the RZ 600e “F SPORT Performance,” a special edition that pushes the SUV even further toward enthusiast territory. Lexus frames this model as a response to customers who want a BEV that feels as focused as the brand’s traditional F models, but with the instant torque and silent running that only an electric powertrain can deliver.
Announced in Dec, the RZ 600e “F SPORT Performance” is described as a special edition that will be introduced to the dedicated battery electric RZ lineup to meet a diverse range of customer needs, with Lexus explicitly labeling it as a SPORT Performance BEV in its global communication about how Lexus SPORT Performance BEV models will evolve. A video preview released in Dec reinforces that positioning, describing the RZ 600e F SPORT Performance as a dynamic evolution of the RZ 550e rather than just another trim level, and highlighting how the brand is taking its electric lineup to the next level in a clip focused on the Dec launch.
Main specifications and stance of the RZ 600e
Beyond the marketing language, the RZ 600e “F SPORT Performance” backs up its billing with concrete hardware changes and a more assertive footprint. The Main Specifications of the Special Edition RZ 600e “F SPORT Performance” list a Length of 4,860 m and a Width of 1,965 m, dimensions that give the SUV a planted stance and enough space to accommodate larger wheels, upgraded brakes and additional cooling hardware without compromising cabin room.
These figures are part of a broader technical sheet that details how the special edition model differentiates itself from the standard RZ, with Lexus using the Main Specifications of the Special Edition RZ to underline that this is not a cosmetic package but a carefully engineered SPORT Performance variant, as laid out in the official Main Specifications of the Special Edition RZ. A separate video walkaround released in Dec describes the RZ 600e F-S Sport performance as more than just another trim level, calling it a dynamic evolution of the RZ 550e and emphasizing the way its chassis and powertrain upgrades work together, a point that is reinforced in the Sport performance preview.
How the 550e F SPORT reshapes the core lineup
While the 600e grabs headlines, the RZ 550e F SPORT AWD is arguably the more important model for most buyers because it sits at the heart of the new performance oriented lineup. Lexus describes the 550e as the Introduction of the RZ 550e F SPORT AWD to the range, a move that brings the F SPORT badge to the RZ family and gives customers a more exhilarating option that still fits within the mainstream trim structure.
The 2026 RZ features this new 550e alongside other variants, and Lexus notes that the expanded lineup will go on sale later this year, with the F SPORT AWD model expected to serve as the default choice for drivers who want the full 408 horsepower experience without stepping into limited edition territory, according to the announcement that details the Introduction of the RZ SPORT AWD. By anchoring the range with this model, Lexus signals that high performance is now a core part of the RZ story rather than a niche add on.
Driving experience: sound, feel and engagement
Performance in an electric SUV is about more than numbers, and Lexus has invested in the sensory side of the RZ driving experience. The company highlights how the refreshed 2026 Lexus Rz Adds More Power And Performance while also refining the way the SUV accelerates and decelerates, using immersive sound and carefully tuned pedal responses to make the car feel more natural and engaging to drive.
That focus on feel is evident in descriptions of how The Lexus RZ now coordinates its power delivery, regenerative braking and cabin acoustics to give drivers clearer feedback about what the vehicle is doing, a strategy that is detailed in a dealer overview of how the Lexus Rz Adds More Power And Performance. For drivers used to the brand’s hybrids, that should make the transition to a fully electric SUV feel familiar, while still delivering the sharper responses that enthusiasts expect from a performance badge.
Positioning in the EV market and what comes next
With the expanded RZ range, Lexus is clearly aiming to carve out a distinct niche in the crowded electric SUV segment. The brand is not chasing the absolute highest range figures or the wildest acceleration claims, but instead is trying to blend credible performance with the refinement and reliability that have long underpinned its reputation, using models like the 350e, 450e, 550e and 600e to cover a wide spectrum of needs.
Analysts note that for 2026, What is New for the Lexus RZ includes more trim levels, including a high performance F Sport variant and a revised powertrain strategy that is intended to deliver a more engaging driving experience, as summarized in a buyer focused guide to What New for the Lexus RZ Sport. Taken together with the special edition RZ 600e “F SPORT Performance,” the message is clear: Lexus now sees its electric SUV not just as a compliance car or a quiet commuter, but as a genuine performance SUV that can stand alongside its best known gasoline and hybrid models.
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