Edmonton Journal ePaper

SMOOTH AND STYLISH

Lexus's new all-electric crossover designed to deliver a luxurious, memorable experience

SAMI HAJ- ASSAAD

When it comes to EVs, Lexus has been passed by many of its German, Korean and even American rivals. While the brand has championed fuel savings through hybrids for over 15 years, it's clear the market (and governments) wants further developments and newer technology on the road. The answer from Lexus is the new RZ 450e, an all-electric crossover developed on the same platform as the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra but with touch-ups in all the right places to ensure a luxurious and memorable experience.

The exterior design combines the new styling found on the RX and UX crossovers into one sleek, far-from-frumpy profile. It's definitely an upgrade from the cladding-covered look of the bZ4X and Solterra. The strange rear spoiler winglets take some getting used to, however. Lexus also offers a few two-tone paint finishes, though the Copper Crest and Ether Metallic models stand out.

A relatively average cabin meets you upon jumping into the vehicle. It lacks some of the flourishes that Lexus has exhibited in the past. Functionality-wise, it ticks all the boxes, with a pair of large displays, buttons and knobs for common tasks. There are many goodies to mention, including a digital rearview mirror and radiant heaters in the passenger seats to help reduce the reliance on an energy/ range-sapping climate control system. The Lexus also offers a fancy sunroof that can transform between opaque and transparent with the click of a button. The only oddities are the video-game-like directional pads on the steering wheel, which require some familiarity before becoming intuitive.

However, that video-game influence will expand soon with the car's novel steer-by-wire system that swaps out the usual steering wheel with a butterfly-shaped yoke-style setup. Steer-by-wire means there is no physical connection between the steering yoke and the front wheels; instead, digital signals are sent from the input to motors controlling the front wheels to turn them as necessary. This allows the steering to be completely customizable.

The yoke only rotates 150 degrees, but the system changes the steering ratio depending on the drive mode and speed. Inputs at highway speeds (100 km/ h) are the closest to a traditional setup, but then the system changes its ratio every five km/ h under that speed to take full advantage of the yoke's rotation radius. The steering effort also varies depending on the scenario and provides limited feedback to the driver about how much input is needed. However, there were more than a few scenarios where I needed to make additional corrections.

The steering yoke is crammed full of controls, including paddle shifters that can be manipulated with a single finger, turn-signal stalks that move with the wheel, and even rocker switches for wiper speed and headlights. The learning curve for the system was gradual, and eventually, I felt comfortable with it, though I wondered why it was a necessary option. If anything, I imagine steer-by-wire or any digital steering setup will be fundamental for a future with a more advanced driver assistance system, hands-free driving or even autonomous motoring, but for now, it's just a unique feature exclusive to this Lexus EV that's expected to come to the road in a year or so.

The 71.4 kWh battery is integrated into the body structure and found under the floor. Only 64 kWh are usable, resulting in a maximum of 354 km of range when the RZ 450e rides on the 18-inch wheels, while models equipped with 20-inch wheels top out at just 315. Sadly, this range isn't very competitive these days and puts the Lexus below many EV rivals.

Charge speeds peak at 150 kW, which is theoretically enough to raise the battery level to 80 per cent in 30 minutes. The automaker suggests that its battery will maintain 90 per cent of its capacity after 10 years, thanks to its battery management.

Canadian pricing for the RZ 450e Signature is an approachable $68,225, including freight, PDI and other dealer fees. The mid-trim option is the $76,825 Luxury model, while the top-trim Executive trim will set you back $84,225.

There's a lot in favour of the first Lexus EV. The RZ 450e boasts an eye-catching style, a smooth ride, impressive technology and an attractive starting price, but there is room for improvement.

DRIVING

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2023-03-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-03-24T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://edmontonjournal.pressreader.com/article/282183655299979

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