It’s been a few months since Lexus first began revealing information about its updated RZ, but the automaker only recently made US-specific details available. Find out what to expect when you head to the Lexus dealer.
Lexus has made some serious changes to its luxury EV SUV for the 2026 model year. The new RZ will feature more power at the entry level, a new RZ550e F Sport trim level, and a more extended range.
What About the Yoke Controller?
The most significant change Lexus made to the RZ abroad is adding a steer-by-wire system with a yoke controller instead of a traditional steering wheel, but you won’t be able to see it at your local Lexus dealer. That particular upgrade won’t be coming to the US markets just yet.
Lexus has confirmed that it won’t be implementing its new yoke controller system for the 2026 models in the United States, but it will be available in Europe. The automaker hasn’t offered insight into when or whether it will introduce the new technology to the US.
What to Expect from the 2026 Lexus RZ
The 2026 RZ350e will be the base FWD trim. It gets a 20 hp boost over the previous year’s RZ300e to 221 hp and a serious increase in range. The RZ300e is rated at 266 miles on a full charge. The RZ350e will have 300 miles of range.
The AWD models will also get a range boost. Now, they’ll make it 260 miles on a charge, compared with a former estimated range of 220 miles. There won’t be a power boost for the AWD RZ, but most drivers would agree that its 308 hp is more than sufficient.
Every 2026 Lexus RZ will feature a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. This charging port will allow the RZ to charge from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes at DC fast-charging stations.
Lexus Adds New RZ550e F Sport Model to Lineup
It’s not just the entry-level RZs that are seeing major changes. Lexus has also added an entirely new trim level to the lineup. The RZ550e F Sport will be its new top model. A dual-motor setup good for 402 hp lets the F Sport race from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds.
The RZ550e F Sport will feature a 77 kWh battery pack, slightly larger than the 75 kWh battery in the other models. However, thanks to its power and speed, the new line-topping RZ will have the lowest range at 225 miles per charge.
Drivers who love to feel in control behind the wheel will find it worth the slight drop in range. Lexus has added a “manual-shift” M Mode to the RZ550e F Sport that mimics shifting a conventional standard transmission.
What to Expect at the Lexus Dealer
Lexus hasn’t released the pricing for the 2026 RZ yet. However, most experts believe it will start at around $45,000. The RZ550e F Sport may start at above $60,000. You’ll be able to find these impressive EVs at your Lexus dealer later this year.
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