Lexus RZ (2025) Price & Specs

The new Lexus RZ will soon launch as Toyota South Africa Motors’ first fully electric model. Here’s how much this 230 kW battery-powered crossover will cost you…

Toyota South Africa Motors is finally set to join the local fully electric segment with the imminent launch of the Lexus RZ. And we’ve managed to lay our paws on pricing ahead of this battery-powered crossover’s official market debut.

Yes, thanks to the ever-helpful vehicle-information specialists over at duoporta.com, we can confirm the following pricing for the 2 derivatives that are set to comprise the local Lexus RZ line-up: the RZ 450e EX will start at R1 583 100 and the RZ 450e SE will kick off at R1 756 600.

According to information we separately dug up, the higher-spec SE variant will launch first, with the EX expected to follow late in February 2025. From what we understand, only a “handful of units” have been allocated to South Africa owing to “limited global volume supply” (this model was, after all, initially scheduled to launch locally in 2024 after being revealed globally in April 2022).

Sharing much with the Toyota bZ4X, the RZ in “450e” guise features “e-axles” fore and aft, each comprising a motor, gearing and power control unit. This arrangement results in peak system outputs of 230 kW (150 kW from the front motor and 80 kW from the rear item) and 435 Nm, allowing a 0-100 kph sprint in 5.3 seconds and a top speed of 160 kph, according to the Japanese automaker.

The all-wheel-drive Lexus RZ 450e ships with a 96-cell 71.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, facilitating a single-charge range of approximately 400 km on the WLTP cycle (or up to an “estimated” 470 km using NEDC testing figures, says Lexus).

The RZ measures 4 805 mm from nose to tail, with a 2 850 mm wheelbase and an overall height of 1 635 mm (the luggage compartment, meanwhile, can handle a claimed 522 litres). That sort of footprint puts the newcomer somewhere between the NX and RX crossovers.

So, what sets the SE trim level apart from the EX grade? Well, standard features for the EX include items such as an electric tailgate (with handsfree operation), LED headlamps (with auto high beams), roof rails, adaptive cruise control, a 14-inch infotainment screen, a 10-speaker audio system, 8-way electrically adjustable front seats, front seat heaters (and ventilation) and 18-inch alloys (wrapped in 235/60 R18 tyres fore and 255/55 R18 rubber aft).

Meanwhile, the SE specification adds features such as an adaptive high-beam function for the LED headlamps, LED foglamps, a “dimmable” panoramic sunroof, 20-inch alloys (shod in 235/50 R20 front tyres and 255/45 R20 rear tyres), rear-seat heating, a 13-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, a head-up display, intelligent park assist and “performance” dampers. Furthermore, while the EX comes with synthetic leather upholstery, the SE upgrades to “Ultrasuede”.

The Lexus RZ will be offered locally in a choice of 5 monotone paint colours (Sonic Quartz, Sonic Chrome, Graphite Black, Sonic Iridium and Atomic Blue) along with Sonic Chrome Bi-Tone and Atomic Blue Bi-Tone. A pair of interior trim options – Hazel and Greyscale – will be available in Mzansi.

How much does the Lexus RZ cost in South Africa?

Lexus RZ 450e EX – R1 583 100

Lexus RZ 450e SE – R1 756 600

The new RZ is covered by a 7-year/105 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan with the same parameters. The battery pack, meanwhile, features a separate 8-year/160 000 km warranty.