Lexus has dropped the all-new RZ into New Zealand, and according to them, it’s a proper EV for people who actually drive. The launch at Kinloch gave local media (we unfortunately missed out) a chance to run the RZ through real-world roads and a few focused exercises that showed what the package is about: precise steering, quiet electric shove, and a cabin designed to calm rather than excite.
What stands out first is the yoke steering and Lexus’ Steer-by-Wire setup, no mechanical steering column, just electronic translation of your inputs. On low-speed manoeuvres the system lightens the effort; on open road it firms up for stability. Lexus claims this brings faster response and greater precision, and on the launch route that claimed benefit was hard to argue with.
Lexus paired the yoke with a tidy driving environment: less unnecessary hand movement, improved forward visibility and a cockpit that nudges you toward a focused driving position rather than a busy one. That fits the brand’s quiet, considered approach to cabin design.
Performance and practicality are front-and-centre. Built on a dedicated BEV platform, the RZ offers up to 460 km (4P-WLTP) range, stronger power output than before, and a 22 kW onboard AC charger to make everyday charging more flexible. It also adds connected features for remote charging and pre-conditioning, little conveniences that matter once an EV becomes part of daily life.
Lexus is clearly playing the long game: more than 90% of its New Zealand range is now electrified across hybrids, plug-ins and BEVs, and the RZ sits at the fully electric end of that lineup. It’s not a forced leap; Lexus wants customers to pick the powertrain that fits their routine.
On the road the RZ feels refined and composed, smooth electric delivery, hushed cabin, and steering that rewards calm inputs. If you’re after an EV that integrates into a real life without drama, this is the kind of machine that will fit.
The all-new RZ is available now at Lexus dealers nationwide.
