Launched: Lexus RZ450e Luxury – Single ‘Luxury’ Variant, RM429,888

The all-new Lexus RZ450e Luxury breaks cover as the first all-electric product by Lexus Malaysia.

Following an online teaser campaign and its preview at this year’s Toyota ‘Beyond Zero’ showcase, the long-awaited Lexus RZ450e has finally debuted in Malaysia. Arriving in a sole ‘Luxury’ variant, this compact EV SUV crossover is not only the first all-electric product to be sold by Lexus Malaysia but also the first EV under the UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) group as a whole.

The RZ450e is powered by a dual-motor AWD setup rated at up to 308 HP and 435 NM.

Underpinning Toyota’s proprietary e-TNGA electric platform, the RZ450e shares the same underbones and mechanical parts as the yet-to-be-launched Toyota bZ4X EV SUV. In the 450e form, the RZ gets a peppier dual-motor AWD setup instead of a single FWD one used on the bZ4X, which is then hooked up to Lexus’ proprietary DIRECT4 intelligent all-wheel drive system.

With a combined system output of 308 HP (230 kW) and 435 NM, the RZ450e is capable of finishing a century sprint in just 5.3 seconds, en route to its electronically-limited V-Max of 160 KM/H.

Said dual-motor setup is juiced by a 71.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that grants the luxury EV SUV up to 440 KM of WLTP range. As for charging, the RZ 450e accepts AC inputs up to 11 kW, which promises full re-charges in 6.5 hours. Alternatively, it also accepts DC fast-charging inputs at up to 150 KW, and Lexus claims 0-80% re-charges are achieved in just 30 minutes via this method.

On the visual front, the RZ450e is unmistakably a Lexus SUV crossover, thanks to some familiar design traits carried over from its ICE-powered siblings. Key exterior design highlights include the sharp LED headlights with L-shaped DRLs, the sporty roofline with a dual-split rear spoiler at the back, a full-width LED taillight bar, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

For the Malaysian market, customers can dress their RZ450e Luxury in six distinctive colourways, such as Sonic Copper, Sonic Quartz, Sonic Iridium, and many more.

On board, the RZ450e Luxury is primed with tons of luxury and tech amenities, befitting its ‘Luxury’ namesake. For starters, this compact luxury EV still retains Lexus’ Tazuna concept for its front dash layout, which now features a 14-inch central infotainment display and a smaller 7-inch digital instrument cluster with a head-up display—all strategically positioned to guide the driver’s line of vision forward.

Also present here is the dial-style gear shifter located at the central console, which is accompanied by the steering-mounted paddle shifters that now act as the controller for the car’s regenerative braking system.

On the luxury front, the RZ450e Luxury’s cabin is laced with plush Ultrasuede upholstery finished in black for all the seats, plus the intricate Tsuyasumi ornamentation on the console, with a charcoal finish having subtle shiny veining like a natural cinder block. These luxury materials are complemented by the 64-colour ambient lighting system that helps to set the mood in this luxury EV SUV.

Topping off the amenities list on the RZ450e are the 13-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround sound system, the Lexus Climate Concierge air-conditioning system, and the Active Sound Control (ASC) system that produces driving sounds in accordance with the driving situation.

Now available for booking, the all-new Lexus RZ450e Luxury is priced at RM429,888 on-the-road, sans insurance. For that price, customers will get a standard 5-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty as well as an 8-year or unlimited mileage with an additional two years (optional) of coverage for the electric-vehicle components, including the battery, inverter, and electronic control unit.