The 2026 Lexus RZ has debuted with some changes to the compact electric luxury crossover, similar to those in the 2026 Toyota bZ it’s based on. Highlights of the new model include more power, longer range, faster charging, and a new RZ 550e F Sport variant. Also, it “shifts gears.” The refreshed 2026 Lexus RZ continues to rival the Cadillac Optiq.
The revised electric powertrain uses a 74.69 kWh battery in the two lower trims and a 76.96 kWh battery in the 550e F Sport. Output is rated at 221 horsepower for the RZ 350e FWD, 308 horsepower for the RZ 450e AWD, and 402 horsepower for the new RZ 550e F Sport AWD. The FWD variant is the only one with a 300-mile range estimate. For the AWD units, the 450e is estimated to go 260 miles on a full charge, and the F Sport only goes 225 miles.
The 2026 Lexus RZ also improves the charging experience. It now comes native with a Tesla-style North American Charging System (NACS) charge port, making it easy to plug into the Tesla Supercharger network. It charges faster than the previous model, achieving a charge from 10 to 80 percent in about a half hour with DC Fast Charging.
The 2026 Lexus RZ debuts the new Lexus M Mode, specifically on the F Sport model. It has paddle “shifters” that simulate gear shifting in spite of the electric powertrain, which doesn’t have a traditional transmission with gears. The idea is to simulate a more engaging driving experience, similar to the “shifting” in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N.
The 2025 Cadillac Optiq only has one powertrain option in the U.S. market, a dual-motor setup with output comparable to the Lexus RZ 450e AWD. However, a sportier Optiq-V is coming for 2026, likely with performance that rivals the Lexus RZ 550e F Sport. Since there’s still no AWD-equipped Lexus RZ that can go 300 miles on a full charge, the Optiq still has a range advantage over the RZ.
The Japanese-built Lexus RZ will go on sale in North American dealerships later this year. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but for reference, the 2025 model starts at $43,975. Its starting price is considerably lower than the Cadillac Optiq’s because the RZ has a single-motor, FWD variant, while the Optiq is dual-motor-only in the U.S. The dual-motor RZ starts closer to the $50k mark.
Comments
Back hatch window steels to much cargo space as well as the optiqs.
I agree. Looks nice for a ‘sport coupe’, -but drop the U in the SUV name with that sloped rear hatch! They could do a lot better with the front end design too.