Lexus RZ 300e Takumi 2026 Review Effortless Luxury, Style and Electric Refinement in Wiltshire
Sliding into the Lexus RZ 300e Takumi feels like being wrapped in a silk duvet while the car whispers, ‘Let me show you how effortless life can be’—and suddenly even Wiltshire’s frost feels charming.
Lexus RZ 300e Takumi 2026 Review
Wiltshire Roads, Cold Mornings & Electric Surprises
I took the Lexus RZ 300e Takumi for a spin across Wiltshire, which, in early February, resembles a monochrome postcard of frost and fog. Stonehenge was wrapped in mist, Salisbury Cathedral’s spires pierced a grey sky, and Castle Combe looked like a village straight out of a chocolate box. The thermometer flirted with -4 degrees. Normally I’d have had my nose pressed to the heater like a hedgehog in winter, but inside the RZ it was blissfully warm. Heated seats and heated wheel, c’est la vie, and the real joy was that range anxiety never even knocked at the door.
This Takumi trim represents the absolute pinnacle of luxury and craftsmanship, named after the Japanese Takumi master artisans who devote their lives to perfecting every detail. Every stitch, every switch, and every surface feels considered, as if the cabin itself had been designed to calm your soul while indulging every sense.
Specs That Underpromise, But Surprise
The figures on paper suggest a modest SUV: 0–62 mph in 8 seconds, 201 bhp, 266 Nm of torque, top speed 99 mph, two tonnes of presence. The lithium-ion battery promises 267 miles WLTP, charging fully in 6.5 hours on a 11kW three-phase system. And yet, behind the wheel, the RZ feels alive. It’s deceptively quick, with a sense of poise and calm that belies the stats. En somme, numbers lie sometimes, but this car does not.
Exterior: A Shark That’s Seen One Too Many Reefs
The RZ Takumi has style, and then some. Its bonnet juts forward like a shark that’s hit a reef too often, giving the front a slightly battered, characterful look. Lights, side vents, and the hourglass grille combine into a cohesive, endearing face, while high-contrast black wheel arches and hook-shaped 20-inch alloys ready to snag the road complete the statement. It’s not your bland SUV silhouette, it has personality. Certainement, you notice it before the engine even hums.
Interior: Plush, Clever & Subtly Opulent
Step inside, and Lexus shows its confidence quietly, like a well-tailored suit in a room full of blazers. Ultrasuede upholstery, brushed metal accents, and a circular drive control feel satisfyingly solid under your fingers. Cabin space is generous, insulation is excellent, and the storage panel that opens from both sides is a surprisingly practical flourish. The panoramic roof with dimming function, combined with rear privacy glass, offers light and discretion in equal measure.
The 14-inch Lexus Link Pro touchscreen is responsive and intuitive. The heated and ventilated seats react a little slowly and are not super powerful, but the heated steering wheel is a blessing on frostbitten mornings. Mark Levinson audio envelopes the cabin like a private concert. Colour schemes are safe, yes, but the interior exudes calm confidence. Un peu de luxe discret.
Tech & Safety: Brilliant, With the Odd Irritation
Active cruise control and lane assist make motorway stretches almost self-driving, leaving you to enjoy the scenery rather than the road. The HUD has a neat little trick: it warns when someone is approaching fast from behind, invaluable for getting out of the way for idiots without raising your blood pressure. Front and rear cross-traffic alerts, blind-spot monitoring, and performance dampers all work seamlessly. The auto high beams are a calamity, flickering constantly and having no respect for your dignity or the car ahead. On the other hand, the RZ notices when the charging port is left open. Comme dirait mon oncle, better safe than électrifié.
Performance: Heavy, Smooth, Just Effortless
Despite tipping the scales at two tonnes, the RZ 300e feels agile. Brakes are soft but adequate, steering-by-wire corners like a video game, and the paddles allow four distinct regenerative braking settings, from almost nothing to full one-pedal feel. The difference between the stops is subtle but perfect for economic driving or when you want to feel connected to the road. Torque delivery is smooth, effortless, and frankly addictive.
The front-wheel drive motor powers to 62 mph in around 7.5 seconds, feeling quicker than the 8-second claim on paper. Cornering is effortless, not sporty but confident and controlled. Front and rear performance dampers keep the ride ultra-smooth, so passengers barely notice bumps, while you can still enjoy the quiet thrust of the motor.
Our Wiltshire tour covered 200 miles and gave us, on a cold day with the heater on, 209 miles. Drive it fast or slow, it never intrudes, like a yacht on calm waters, perfectly balanced. Voilà, le bonheur en voiture.
Verdict: Smart, Solid, Slightly Quirky Luxury
If you don’t need the extra juice of the RZ 450e or 500e, the RZ 300e Takumi is the intelligent choice. It’s comfortable, surprisingly engaging, absurdly well-equipped, and built like a tank that also loves champagne. With its slightly odd looks, sumptuous interior, effortless performance, and Lexus’ signature reliability, it’s hard not to fall for it. At £60,145 on the road, it’s an SUV that makes sense and still has charm. Une voiture sérieuse, mais avec du charme.
Lexus RZ 300e Takumi OTR: £60,145
