Lexus RZ Starts at £53,995 With Steer-by-Wire Technology

Lexus RZ Starts at £53,995 With Steer-by-Wire Technology image

Lexus has confirmed pricing and specification for the new RZ electric SUV ahead of the car’s UK arrival in spring 2026.

Orders for the Japanese firm’s premium electric SUV are open now. The updated model is offered in two- and all-wheel-drive variants and three trim levels – Premium, Premium Plus and Takumi.

Prices start at £53,995 for the RZ350e Premium and rise to £69,995 for the RZ550e F Sport Takumi.

The 2026 Lexus RZ brings a range of technical upgrades over the previous model. It promises better range, faster charging and improved handling. The lineup also includes a new range-topping F Sport variant with the firm’s radical steer-by-wire system.

Range and Charging Improvements

Central to the 2026 upgrades are a new liquid-cooled battery pack and revised “eAxle” motors.

A new 77kWh battery replaces the previous 71.4kWh unit. Combined with the more efficient new motors, it delivers up to 353 miles of range – a 58-mile increase over the previous model.

Peak DC charging remains at 150kW but the new battery can charge at its peak for longer and in a broader range of conditions.

The new motors are also quieter and more powerful. In the entry-level 350e, the single front-mounted unit now produces 221bhp – a 20bhp increase.

RZ500e models, priced from £58,595, add a rear motor and power rises to 376bhp – 67bhp more than in the previous RZ450e.

Performance-Focused F Sport Variant

Above both of those sits a new performance-focused RZ550e F Sport. This is priced from £67,795 for the regular trim and £69,995 for the higher-spec Takumi grade.

It turns up the power further – to 402bhp – and cuts the 0-62mph time to just 4.4 seconds.

The F Sport also brings a range of chassis upgrades intended to match the extra power from the motors. Additional bracing and a bespoke suspension setup aim to deliver a more involving drive.

The RZ550e also features Lexus’ first drive-by-wire system. This replaces the traditional mechanical steering linkage with a speed-dependent electronic system that brings a tighter lock-to-lock range and an F1-style yoke in place of a regular steering wheel.

Along with chassis and steering changes, the F Sport gets “Interactive Manual Drive.” This brings simulated gearshifts and a synthesised “engine” sound.

Lexus is keeping options simple – buyers of Premium and Premium Plus grades can add 20-inch alloys to replace the standard 19s for an extra £900. Bi-tone paint is an extra £1,110 and offered on all three trim levels.

Nash Peterson avatar
Nash Peterson
1 month ago