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?
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Hyundai is about to launch a new electric SUV in China. With its big debut coming up, Hyundai just dropped a sneak peek, and it looks like it could be the IONIQ 4. Check it out for yourself in the video below.
Is Hyundai teasing the IONIQ 4?
We caught our first glimpse of the new EV model last month after Beijing Hyundai released a few official “spy” photos.
Despite the camouflage, you can see a few design elements, like a light bar across the front, slim LED headlights, and a closed-off grille. At first, it almost looks like a smaller version of the IONIQ 9, Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV, but with a much sportier, shaped profile.
Beijing Hyundai released a new teaser for the upcoming electric SUV this week. The video shows “a wave of high-end operations” as the vehicle dances across the snow.
The video highlights features like real-time torque control, high-speed cornering, and the SUV’s impressive body control while driving around cones.
Hyundai’s new electric SUV is being called “OE” internally, according to The Korean Car Blog, suggesting it could be an IONIQ model.
All other Hyundai IONIQ EV models were also codenamed with an “E” internally, which is raising speculation that this could be the IONIQ 4.
Like most global OEMs, Hyundai is fighting to compete in an intense Chinese EV market, which is dominated by domestic automakers like BYD.
Hyundai opened its first overseas R&D center last year in China to spearhead its comeback. It will work with local suppliers and tech companies to develop EVs designed for Chinese buyers. The new electric SUV is expected to launch in China later this year, followed by three new energy vehicles, including EVs and EREVs.
Beijing Hyundai will release more information on April 16, with the electric SUV set to “challenge the limit of driving performance.”
What do you think of Hyundai’s new electric SUV? Is this the IONIQ 4? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Charge point provider char.gy has secured a £130 million contract to install 6,000 curbside EV chargers for Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) – the UK’s largest installation of its kind.
London-based char.gy has also been awarded a 15-year contract to operate and maintain the charging network.
Installing Level 2 chargers curbside, where most drivers in the UK park, will enable more people to take advantage of cheaper charging rates while juicing up their EVs overnight. (charg.gy’s pay as you go night tariff, between midnight and 7 am, is £0.39/kWh, compared to its £0.59/kWh day tariff.)
John Lewis, chief executive of char.gy, said the project is “a huge moment for the UK and its EV ambitions. This partnership alone will empower thousands of residents to confidently make the switch to electric vehicles, knowing they have easy access to chargers.”
Brighton and Hove City Council is among the first to tap into the government’s Local EV Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund, designed to help English local authorities roll out charging solutions for residents without off-street parking. Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said making EV charging as accessible as possible is “crucial to making the switch to electric a success.”
The UK now has over 75,000 public EV chargers, according to the Department for Transport—and it looks like the country’s on pace to hit its 2030 target. Back in December, the National Audit Office said the rollout is “on track” to meet the DfT’s estimate that at least 300,000 chargers will be needed by the end of the decade.
Read more: Meet the UK’s largest solar + storage EV charging ‘Superhub’
Now is a great time to begin your solar journey so your system is installed in time for those longer sunny days. If you want to make sure you find a trusted, reliable solar installer near you that offers competitive pricing, check out EnergySage, a free service that makes it easy for you to go solar. They have hundreds of pre-vetted solar installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high-quality solutions and save 20 to 30% compared to going it alone. Plus, it’s free to use and you won’t get sales calls until you select an installer and share your phone number with them.
Your personalized solar quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. –trusted affiliate partner
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway
Comments