First electric Lexus RZ 450e SUV arrives with a higher price than a Tesla Model Y
The first fully electric Lexus SUV in the US, the RZ 450e, is now available to pre-order. Lexus is asking drivers to “experience the difference between an electric vehicle and an electric Lexus,” but is the RZ 450e worth more than a Tesla Model Y?
Under parent company Toyota’s command, Lexus has fallen far behind in the race to introduce a fully electric luxury vehicle.
After several years of neglecting fully electric technology to focus on hybrid and fuel cell tech, Toyota finally came around, announcing its luxury Lexus brand will go fully electric with a full range of zero-emission EVs by 2030.
Lexus revealed many early-stage concepts in 2021 designed to be “symbolic” of the brand’s transformation, finally unveiling its first production model based on the Toyota BZ4x.
As such, the RZ 450e rides on the e-TNGA platform, with a 71.4 kWh battery pack that features an up-to-220-mile driving range and 313 total system horsepower. In addition, its DIRECT 4 all-wheel-drive system and new steering control enable a dynamic driving experience.
Unlike the BZ4x, the Lexus EV will include the luxury feel with an intelligent 14-inch touchscreen display, a 13-speaker sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless charger, a panoramic sunroof, and more.
The Lexus RZ 450e is available in two options – Premium or Luxury. But up until now, we have not caught wind of what the price range will be.
Lexus RZ 450e is priced higher than a Tesla Model Y
According to Lexus’ website, the Premium RZ 450e trim prices start at $59,650, while the Luxury model will run you $65,150.
The RZ 450e luxury includes added safety features, advanced park, a 10-inch head-up display, acoustic front and rear side glass, and ambient lighting. For the RZ Premium, 18- and 20-inch rims are available; 20-inch split 10-spoke alloy wheels with a dark metallic finish are available for the Luxury.
As for the exterior, the electric SUV features a typical Lexus appeal with modern EV-looking upgrades. For example, the Lexus spindle grille is replaced by a spindle body that maximizes aerodynamics.
The Lexus RZ 450e will face stiff competition, especially with more established players like Tesla offering its Model Y with 330-mile range for a starting price of $54,990.
Electrek’s Take
Lexus may have a challenging introduction to the EV market, with prices for its first electric SUV to hit the US upward of $60,000.
With the Model Y priced $5,000 lower and offering over 100 additional mile range, extensive charging network, etc., where will the Lexus fit in? Tesla has already caused several automakers to drop prices to remain competitive.
Will the RZ 450e fill the role it needs to spark Lexus’ transition to an EV-centered brand like it badly needs? It can, but it may be a tough sell at those prices.
Volvo’s electric SUVs, the C40 and XC40 Recharge, both start at $55,300 and $53,000 with more range and the brand’s impressive safety and tech features. Perhaps, more importantly, Volvo is releasing its smallest and cheapest EV this summer while many other automakers, like GM, are looking to claim a similar market.
Audi’s small Q4 e-tron electric SUV starts at $49,800, with an EPA estimated range of up to 265 miles.
With all of this, I ask again, where does the electric Lexus fit in? What do you think? Will an electric Lexus SUV sell for $60,000?
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Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to unveil the electric version of its best-selling SUV, the GLC, later this year. With its official debut just around the corner, Mercedes revealed a few new details, offering an exclusive first look at the new EV.
Mercedes offers an exclusive look at the new electric GLC
Although we got a sneak peek of the electric SUV in March during winter testing in Northern Sweden, Mercedes is giving us a better idea of what to expect.
“We’re not just introducing a new model – we’re electrifying our top seller,” Mercedes-Benz Group CEO, Ola Källenius, said on Thursday.
Mercedes promises the electric GLC “sets new standards” with a sleek new design, advanced tech, and its new MB.OS operating system.
The new GLC EV is an upgrade over the current model, offering significantly more space and improved ride quality. Since the wheelbase is 3.1″ longer than the current gas-powered SUV, the electric version has more legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers.
With all the seats folded, the electric SUV offers 61.4 cubic feet of space. The gas-powered model features up to 56.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Plus, you get an extra 4.5 cu ft of space in the trunk (front trunk).
Källenius said that with Mercedes’ new 800V electric architecture and latest batteries, the electric GLC can regain around 260 km (161 miles) WLTP range in just ten minutes. He added that DC fast charging at over 320 kW is possible.
The GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology will arrive with impressive towing capability of up to 5,291 lbs. In comparison, the Tesla Model Y can only tow up to 3,500 lbs.
Added features, such as ESP trailer stabilization and trailer maneuvering assistant, make it even easier to tow with optimized stability and control.
Källenius also teased the new electric GLC design, calling it the start of a “new era” and “a new face of the brand as the first in a family of upcoming vehicles.”
The inside is just as impressive, providing a holistic experience. A “majestically floating next generation MBUX Hyperscreen” is optional, providing a spatial experience powered by the new MB.OS supercomputer.
Mercedes will unveil the new electric GLC at the 2025 International Motor Show in Munich on September 7, 2025.
Although official range figures will be revealed at the event, according to Car and Driver, which tested a prototype model, Mercedes said it expects the new GLC to provide a WLTP range of just over 400 miles, or slightly more than 300 miles on the EPA scale, from a 94.5 kWh battery.
Prices will also be announced in due time, but given that the current GLC 350e 4MATIC PHEV starts at $59,900 in the US, you can expect the electric model to be priced slightly higher, at around $65,000.
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Tesla (TSLA) announced its 2025 annual shareholders meeting at the very last minute, and it pushed it all the way to November, the latest it has ever held the meeting.
Tesla generally holds its annual meeting in the summer and announces it way ahead of time.
Today, the automaker announced that the meeting will be held on November 6:
The board of directors (the “Board”) of Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) has designated November 6, 2025 as the date of Tesla’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).
This is highly unusual for Tesla. Here are the dates of Tesla’s last 5 annual meetings:
- 2020: September 22, 2020
- 2021: October 7, 2021
- 2022: August 4, 2022
- 2023: May 16, 2023
- 2024: June 13, 2024
At those meetings, shareholders vote on several matters, including the reelection of directors and shareholders’ proposals.
Tesla has not released any yet, but they are expected to be in the upcoming proxy statement, which Tesla should release in the coming weeks.
Why does Tesla need more time?
Electrek’s Take
I think Tesla is working on some proposals that are going to take time to put together and then to sell to shareholders – hence why the meeting is set for November.
There are two suspects: a new CEO compensation package for Musk or a merger/acquisition of xAI.
It could also be both, but I think that would be harder to swallow for some shareholders as both initiatives have a clear aim of giving Musk a bigger stake in Tesla.
I think sane investors should not want that, but Tesla shareholders don’t fit in that category. Much of Tesla’s value is attached to Musk’s lies and ridiculous predictions. The value will have to come down to reality at some point, but they are a bunch of gamblers who are enjoying the ride in the meantime.
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A three-row electric SUV for less than $30,000? Sign me up. NIO (NYSE: NIO) opened pre-orders for the new Onvo L90 on Thursday, starting from 193,900 yuan, or about $27,000.
NIO kicks off Onvo L90 pre-orders in China
NIO claims the Onvo L90 is the lightest full-size three-row SUV in its class, with a curb weight just under 5,000 lbs (2,250 kg). In comparison, the Lucid Gravity has a curb weight of 5,966 lbs (2,712 kg).
The new flagship model is designed as a family-friendly SUV, offering ample interior space and advanced technology.
At 5,145 mm long, 1,998 mm wide, and 1,766 mm tall, the Onvo L90 is slightly bigger than the Lucid Gravity. In China, it will go head-to-head with higher-end electric SUVs like Li Auto’s L9.
However, the L9 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and starts at around 409,800 yuan ($57,000), more than double the price of the Onvo L90.
The low price of 193,900 yuan ($27,000) applies only to those who rent the battery. Nio’s Battery as a Service (BaaS) costs 899 yuan ($125) a month. With the battery included, the Onvo L90 still starts at just 279,900 yuan ($39,000).
Nio’s new electric SUV is offered in six and seven-seat configurations. The interior features a massive 17.2″ floating infotainment screen at the center.
Other interior highlights include a three-zone climate control system, massage, heating, and ventilation for every seat, as well as an additional entertainment screen for rear passengers. And like many new vehicles in China nowadays, it even comes with a built-in refrigerator.
Powered by an 85 kWh battery, the Onvo L90 offers a CLTC range of 605 km (367 miles). It’s also based on NIO’s next-gen 900V platform, unlocking class-leading energy consumption of just 14.5 kWh per 100 km.
Buyers can choose from single and all-wheel-drive powertrains. The AWD version boasts up to 590 hp (440 kW), good for a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint in just 4.7 seconds.
NIO is offering an incentive for early pre-order holders. Those who place an order with a 2,000 yuan deposit will receive a 5,000 yuan credit off the vehicle and an extra 5,000 yuan for optional features and more. Nio plans to begin delivering Onvo L90 to customers, starting on August 1.
The L90 is the second Onvo-branded EV to arrive in China, following the smaller L60, launched last September.
Source: CarNewsChina, NIO Onvo
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