[Ivenhoe]

Jeff - I agree with what you say except the charging. It may be the ‘UK’ upgrade and milder weather but on 150kw chargers my car has achieved better rates than yours. I have achieved 140kw at 23% and still achieving 32kw at 86% and dropped to 20kw at 91%. In my case it really is about 30 mins from 20% to 80% which is about the same as a Tesla Model Y according to the EKVX site - Tesla Model Y Long Range charging curve & performance :: evkx.net

 

[Tom Majcher]

Oh gosh what have I done 😞. But thank you you have covered all bases . Good , bad etc. I just keep on saying to myself there is an issue here but still I have kept to it I have not cancelled the lease order. My only consolation is that it is a fantastic car in and out . It’s just the range. That is the only issue.

Do we drive 100s and 100s of miles = NO.

Will we be getting a home charger = YES.

Do we love the comfort and the drive = YES

Do we want a car that’s going to Rattle and thump (not mentioning any cars) = NO

Will we be saving on petrol of £150 per Month = YES

Do we want a classy car = YES

Do we need to worry about price of car or the depreciation due to EV = NO as we are leasing. Just give it a go and give beck in 2 years and see what comes out then .

Seriously I have been thinking so much . It’s just got to the point where I’m saying just give it a go . So roll on June .


😃😃😃

You made the correct decision, IMO, and said it best with the questions you answered above. I did my research like you, leased the RZ and love it. Imurrx helped me get over the hump by answering a few remaining questions I had. Level 2 charger at home is key. The RZ is not a road trip car but a comfortable commuter and around town car and if I go farther that range I make sure there is a charger at my destination. I very much appreciate this forum and the thoughtful people on it and have found it to be invaluable, so hang in there with us!

 

[Whoopie24]

You made the correct decision, IMO, and said it best with the questions you answered above. I did my research like you, leased the RZ and love it. Imurrx helped me get over the hump by answering a few remaining questions I had. Level 2 charger at home is key. The RZ is not a road trip car but a comfortable commuter and around town car and if I go farther that range I make sure there is a charger at my destination. I very much appreciate this forum and the thoughtful people on it and have found it to be invaluable, so hang in there with us!

Thank you so much Tom . And also to all the other members in this forum. Like yourself they have been so helpful with their advice regarding my uncertainties. I really appreciate it. We are just 2 normal working parents with a small child and this meant a lot to us. If that deal was not around there would be no way we could afford to get into a Lexus such a premium brand. So we just jumped at it and took the opportunity.

 

[Whoopie24]

It takes a mind set to feel comfortable with any car, especially if it has limits.

I bout my old TDI knowing that I needed to keep track of all purchases (for fuel contamination) and refueling in far away places. Bought the CT200h as a commuter.

This car I bought because fory driving it covers 100% of what I do. May need to plan a little the night before for it needs but it works. I started in mid winter and I am not worried about the range since I can do my driving with the heat on and still make it home. For the summer trips, got a level 2 at the vaca house .

90% of my driving will be between 80-60, 5% 80-40% while the last 5 percent will need a top off for 100-10%>

Yes I totally agree. Once your mind accepts and weighs everything up it makes it a lot easier. Thanks so much for your advice throughout.

 

[Whoopie24]

Jeff - I agree with what you say except the charging. It may be the ‘UK’ upgrade and milder weather but on 150kw chargers my car has achieved better rates than yours. I have achieved 140kw at 23% and still achieving 32kw at 86% and dropped to 20kw at 91%. In my case it really is about 30 mins from 20% to 80% which is about the same as a Tesla Model Y according to the EKVX site - Tesla Model Y Long Range charging curve & performance :: evkx.net View attachment 538

That’s looks promising. Is this in the uk ? Due to update etc ? Do updates just happen automatically , what version/software update dhould my car have on when I pick it up in June and where do you see in settings ?

 

[Whoopie24]

Maybe a bit late to the party, but... be worried, or not worried, depending on what you expect.

If you expect to do a REALLY long trip, forget about it. Rent something else, or fly, or take a train, or whatever. You've got a bunch of things going against you.

First, the range is crap compared to something like a Tesla... but there's a few reasons for that. One major reason is that the RZ's BMS (battery management system) doesn't let you use as much of the REAL battery capacity as Tesla - but the reason is that it prolongs the battery life, so while a Tesla will degrade a LOT, the RZ's battery will degrade much slower. Another reason is that the motors simply aren't as efficient. Nor is the cooling/heating system.

Which means that you won't be able to go as far without charging.

Second is the charging speed. Also to protect the battery, the RZ charging speed slows WAY down over around 60%, and then down to essentially Level 2 speeds above 80%. So you could get 20% to 60% pretty quick (I'm talking about a DC Fast Charger), but from 60% to 80% is going to take a lot longer, and then if you want to get ABOVE that, expect to wait. Yes, all vehicles slow down above 80%, but not necessarily as much below that. And I've just found that even at a 150 KW charger, I don't get anything NEAR that (it may peak for a little while over 100 KW, but generally will wind up around 60 KW or worse). I've seen Ioniqs and ID4s charge at a MUCH higher rate than I can get at the exact same station on the same day and time (well, me right after them).

And... while I've never tested it, supposedly you can charge only THREE DCFC cycles in a 24 hour period!!! Now, I couldn't get a straight answer from anyone at Lexus (they even opened a ticket for me), so I'm not sure whether that's full 0% to 100% cycles so that two 20% to 70% cycles would count as a single cycle, or whether a partial charge counts as one or what. But supposedly, once you hit the limit, the BMS will limit you to Level 2 speeds. Which TRULY limits your distance that you can drive.

And, of course, there's the whole time thing. Drive, say, 110 miles (if your 100% to 0% range with radio and climate and such is 180 miles, your 80% to 20% range is probably more like 110 miles) and you're talking maybe a couple of hours of driving, depending on speed. And then... you're going to be sitting there for roughly an hour to get back up to 80%. And another 110 miles, and then another hour to charge, and so on. It adds a lot of time to a trip.

Ideal would be to leave with 100%, giving you a longer range to your first charge, and then being able to plug into a Level 2 at a hotel you're staying at. Then you could be back up to 100%, no DCFC needed, and then you can kinda "reset" the clock and also have the full range for your next leg. But not a lot of hotels seem to have chargers, at least not here on the West Coast in the US.

I've often left my car days on end and never lose more than maybe a percent or so. No way to know the 12v battery level that I can tell, but it has never been an issue, either.

Mountains make your range crap. Same is true with an ICE vehicle. Physics. You just have to take that into account.

Speed matters, too. The faster you go, the more wind resistance and rolling resistance, and so the more electricity you're going to use. Stop and go also is bad because acceleration eats juice. Yes, you get SOME of it back from regen braking, but remember, you're STILL using the physical brakes in true stop and go, or when having to stop QUICKLY (if you can crank up the regen level to 4 and then almost never actually step on the brake pedal, you'll get the best regen - but know that it won't actually STOP the car completely).

Another concern is the AVAILABILITY of chargers along your route. Remember, many seem to not work, so a bank of maybe 4 chargers might have only 2 or 3 that are working, and remember also that you may not be the only person charging, so you may have to WAIT an hour or longer for a charger to become available.

But...

I'm not trying to scare off the OP. I'm just trying to set expectations. The RZ is NOT a car for taking really long trips, period. If you're going someplace that's maybe a couple hundred miles before stopping, or maybe going someplace towards the end of your range, stopping, and then driving home, you're going to be fine.

It DOES take more planning than an ICE, where there are gas stations everywhere and you can fill up in 10 minutes and have a full tank. You have to plan your trips more carefully and figure out in advance where you're going to charge, and have some apps that can help you find chargers.

Teslas have better range, and better efficiency, but they're made like crap. The RZ is made like, well, a Lexus. Much better materials, better fit and finish, far more likely not to need a bunch of potentially expensive maintenance that may leave you without a vehicle for weeks or months (as many Tesla owners have experienced).

If most of what you do is tooling around town, and you've got a charger at home and can just charge it to 100% overnight, you'll love the RZ. If you occasionally go a couple hundred miles, you'll be fine as long as you understand that you'll have to plan things out and take a break of an hour or so while it is charging. And know that if you're going on a really long trip, you're going to have to rent something else.

Oh, and while the RZ LOOKS more like an NX than an RX, it is actually a bit of physics magic because it is more like an RX inside. I used to have a string of RXs, and had an NX loaner for several weeks, and I just couldn't fit the same stuff in the NX - but it all DOES fit in the RZ.

Brilliant thank you . Very useful. I wrote a message before in response to this but just wanted to reply to your message and say thanks as all my uncertainties have gone. Everyone has just been so helpful 🙏

 

[jeff.sherman.warever]

Jeff - I agree with what you say except the charging. It may be the ‘UK’ upgrade and milder weather but on 150kw chargers my car has achieved better rates than yours. I have achieved 140kw at 23% and still achieving 32kw at 86% and dropped to 20kw at 91%. In my case it really is about 30 mins from 20% to 80% which is about the same as a Tesla Model Y according to the EKVX site - Tesla Model Y Long Range charging curve & performance :: evkx.net View attachment 538

You're lucky. Maybe it charges faster because you drive on the wrong side of the street.

 

[Ivenhoe]

It’s probably as we drive on the same side as the Japanese !

 

[Whoopie24]

I have cancelled my lease order for The RZ and I’m so sad . I could not go ahead with it , knowing eveything I know. Also in general going Electric I was a bit worried. It’s still there if I change my mind. But in the meantime I’m
Looking for a hybrid /petrol SUV to replace the order. But whatever I get it’s not going to be premium as the Lexus and at that price I was getting it at , that was a one off. Seriously what have I done. If I got th rz my insurance was going up also the cost of getting the home charger monthly payments on that too made me re-think. But I would have saved on petrol and would have made up for those extra cost of insurance and charger. I genuinely don’t know what I’ve done and what to do .

 

[BillLin]

@Whoopie24 - Peace of mind. Priceless.

Regarding insurance, it is likely different where I am. (Massachusetts US) I've heard horror stories of difficulty to get insurance in Florida due to scarcity of insurance companies that covered EVs. I use one that is nationwide US and has reasonable rates, and as it turns out, much better than the one I had been using since the 1980s! So I switched after I bought my Tesla and now added the RZ, and combined with homeowner's insurance, they're individually almost half of my old coverage.

 

[imurrx]

Progressive insurance doubled for Polestar 2's in many markets. For my Rz it is reasonable at $675/6months.

NX | Plug-in Hybrid and Hybrid Mid-Size SUV | Lexus UK

Discover the beautifully proportioned mid-size SUV, the Lexus NX. Available as a Self-Charging Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid.

www.lexus.co.uk

Whoopie24, look into Nx300h hybrid. We are happy with my mom's 2016's Nx hybrid. If you get the plugin version, you will save money in city driving by charger. The Nx plugin is not offered here across the pond, only the hybrid. It's a great car and the economy is better than the Rx hybrid.

 

[BillLin]

Plug-in. Pricey, but may be available here in the US.

update: epa find-a-car app error re: 2024 nx450h+, but there's a 2025 nx450h+ shown on the Lexus brochure

update2: I'm totally confused. I just found 2024 NX450h+ inventory at my dealership.

 

[imurrx]

Yes the Rx is here as a plugin. The MPG in the hybrid Rx 36 vs NX 39. The Plugin Rx was not available. The only plugins I would have gone for would have been the Prius Prime or the Rav4 Plugin, but there were none around when I needed to get a new car (my Q5 was totaled in January). My budget was topping off at $50k. The Rx plugin starts at $70k. The Prius Prime and Rav4 prime would have been more my budget. The Rz was used and checked off all the boxes in the price range.

 

[BillLin]

update: epa find-a-car app error re: 2024 nx450h+, but there's a 2025 nx450h+ shown on the Lexus brochure

update2: I'm totally confused. I just found 2024 NX450h+ inventory at my dealership.

Doesn't change anything of course. Still pricey for what it offers compared to a RAV4 Prime.

 

[jeff.sherman.warever]

Wrong forum (since this is an RZ forum), but since it was brought up...

I've had 7 RXs in a row since the first year in 1999. Perfect? No vehicle is, but they were generally great. When my last one was up (lease) last year, I had choices. I could buy out my lease, but it was going to cost literally about the same amount as leasing the RZ, but then I'd have gas and maintenance and so forth.

The RX was always a 6 cylinder. One of the best engines Toyota ever produced. Quiet, decent power, reliable. But last year, the RX went to ONLY 4 cylinder engines. They claimed about the same power (at least out of some) but the only way to do that is to get more from less which makes it worse in so many ways. And "power" is PEAK power, which is torque times RPM, and what's really more important to performance isn't PEAK (aka "listed" or "rated") horsepower but the power CURVE. Tiny engines like that 4-banger get much lower torque at lower RPMs, and so unless you're operating right at that peak, performance is going to be lower. And the 0-60 times definitely showed it.

I've driven vehicles with that engine - an NX - and while not TERRIBLE in something smaller like an NX, they're just loud and too "hamster wheel"ish for an RX. They're just struggling, and really just don't fit what an RX really is. And turbos are GOING to be less reliable because there's more to break, they're more complicated, and they run hot (you are literally squeezing more fuel and air into a smaller space).

They came (come) in various flavors, with the basic being a turbo, then a non-turbo hybrid (slowest of them all, I believe), then the "500h" which is the only one that performs well (but still has that poor 4-banger trying too hard) which is a turbo AND hybrid. Then they added the plug-in hybrid which isn't quick like the 500h, but for some unknown reason is the HIGHEST PRICED in the entire line.

And back in July of last year, the "better" RXs (like the 500h) were just absurdly expensive on a lease (like over a grand a month).

The NX is a nice little vehicle. Smaller than both the RX and the RZ. They handle a LOT better than an RX; being quite a bit smaller, they're just a lot more nimble. And while the earlier NXs were incredible uncomfortable, the recent ones are actually quite nice.

I had a loaner hybrid for a while and it was nice. Only problem for ME is that they just aren't big enough and I couldn't fit my tools and stuff inside (the REAL capacity of the RZ is nearly identical to my RX, though the rated capacity is smaller because they're not as tall and have a more rakish back window/hatch).

Like I said, they've got the same 4-banger engine, but at least in that lighter and smaller vehicle, it isn't QUITE so bad. They don't have that "right now" power the V6 had in the RX, and certainly not the instant "kick you in the rear" torque of the RZ, but they were surprisingly quick in real life.

If I didn't need the space, I'd definitely have gone with the plug-in hybrid NX.

One thing that ALL EVs have in common is that they take time to charge. Doesn't matter if it is an RZ or a Tesla Y or a Cadillac Lyric: you're not going to fill it up in 5 minutes. If that's a problem for someone because they regularly go on longer trips, then that's going to be a problem, period. And a related issue is the availability of chargers. Much easier to find a gas station (petrol for you UKers) than a fast charger, and very few destinations have Level 2 chargers you can plug into overnight. If - like me - you're mostly tooling around town and will RARELY hit the range limit and can just plug in at home overnight, then not an issue. But I've had to plan certain trips differently, like flying to Colorado instead of driving when I'd REALLY liked to have had my expensive (and very nice) vehicle (RZ) instead of having to rent something.

Lots of people poo-poo EVs in general, claiming they're useless, and a waste, and shouldn't exist, blah, blah, blah. A Corvette is a two-seater with very little storage. If you've got a family to haul around, they're not for you. Same with an EV: they're for a particular market and use, and not good for everyone.

As for price, remember that to some extent, you get what you pay for. Tesla is cheaper, and has great specs, but the quality just isn't nearly what an RZ is. I met someone with a Volvo EV and he saw my RZ and felt really awful because the QUALITY of the Volvo (like much smaller screens, limited functionality, etc.) just wasn't the same.

Also remember that MSRP isn't necessarily the price, particularly if you're leasing. Residual is a huge factor, and something they figure is worth very little at the end is going to cost you more. And there are also promotional interest rates (technically, a lease doesn't have "interest rates" but really, they do) and promotional discounts that can bring the price way down. I got $10K off from Lexus and $6K off from the dealer when I got mine last year, plus the credit they gave me trading in my leased RZ and I was more than $20K off MSRP.

 

[Whoopie24]

Please can someone help . Like you all knowI started this thread. I was so uncertain about the RZ I was due to get it in June. It was the Takumi model fully loaded on a lease for 2 years at a lease price that was amazing . It was our Only chance to get into such a premium wonderful car. I got cold feet and cancelled. But I can still change my mind, my lesse provider has said. I’m looking at looking and there’s no car now on lesse that comes close to a premium car and at that lesse price that’s locked on the rz on my order at the moment. My main issue is the range and all the negative comments and how Lexus has made a mistake with this car . Also worried for the winter times and those cold starts etc. I looked at NX , RX but lesse prices way too expensive. Even on The RZ Now the lesse price is like £250 more. My order is still locked at a very good price. You all gave me advice which worked and my mindset was so positive and relaxed and was waiting for June. But then I called and cancelled and said I want to replace with petrol car . But nothing compares . If it does , we cannot afford. I’m in a right dilemma . Sorry 😞

 

[hsinchu]

Please can someone help . Like you all knowI started this thread. I was so uncertain about the RZ I was due to get it in June. It was the Takumi model fully loaded on a lease for 2 years at a lease price that was amazing . It was our Only chance to get into such a premium wonderful car. I got cold feet and cancelled. But I can still change my mind, my lesse provider has said. I’m looking at looking and there’s no car now on lesse that comes close to a premium car and at that lesse price that’s locked on the rz on my order at the moment. My main issue is the range and all the negative comments and how Lexus has made a mistake with this car . Also worried for the winter times and those cold starts etc. I looked at NX , RX but lesse prices way too expensive. Even on The RZ Now the lesse price is like £250 more. My order is still locked at a very good price. You all gave me advice which worked and my mindset was so positive and relaxed and was waiting for June. But then I called and cancelled and said I want to replace with petrol car . But nothing compares . If it does , we cannot afford. I’m in a right dilemma . Sorry 😞

I have a petrol car as a backup for road trips (or I can use the Lexus Reserve service), so I use my RZ only for local trips (120 miles round trip max).

If you have the budget for only one car, then buy a Toyota/Lexus Hybrid/Plug-in Hybrid.

 

[ToCo]

Please can someone help . Like you all knowI started this thread. I was so uncertain about the RZ I was due to get it in June. It was the Takumi model fully loaded on a lease for 2 years at a lease price that was amazing . It was our Only chance to get into such a premium wonderful car. I got cold feet and cancelled. But I can still change my mind, my lesse provider has said. I’m looking at looking and there’s no car now on lesse that comes close to a premium car and at that lesse price that’s locked on the rz on my order at the moment. My main issue is the range and all the negative comments and how Lexus has made a mistake with this car . Also worried for the winter times and those cold starts etc. I looked at NX , RX but lesse prices way too expensive. Even on The RZ Now the lesse price is like £250 more. My order is still locked at a very good price. You all gave me advice which worked and my mindset was so positive and relaxed and was waiting for June. But then I called and cancelled and said I want to replace with petrol car . But nothing compares . If it does , we cannot afford. I’m in a right dilemma . Sorry 😞

Whoopie24,
Did you ever confirm if the Lexus Reserve program is available in your area? It will offer 30 free rentals on an ICE/Hybrid Lexus and should help you.

 

[imurrx]

Your driving habits should dictate what you need. The low milage is somewhat over blown by some people. Keep in mind if you drive in the winter and keep the heat on and drive without regard to efficiency, you will only get 160 miles. If you want something that gets 50% more milage than that get something else.

My winter efficiency was 2.7 miles/kWh and spring efficiency is 3.3 miles/kWh. Each of those are average over 1000 miles city and highway driving. So my winter max range is 170 miles vs 210 miles in the spring. If I turn the heat/ac off and drive with efficiency I will get more.

 

[Whoopie24]

Whoopie24,
Did you ever confirm if the Lexus Reserve program is available in your area? It will offer 30 free rentals on an ICE/Hybrid Lexus and should help you.

ToCo , thank you. I’m in the uk and they do have Lexus reserve but as I’m leasing through another provider the Lexus reserve is only given to those who actually buy from dealer. Not included with lease. It’s in their T&Cs. I asked the dealer who the lease car is coming from and they said I cannot have and they only doing the handover etc. I heard that in USA the program is open to lease customers as well .