Lexus RZ 450e Bitone Takumi Sonic Copper Review: A Masterclass in Electric Luxury
Lexus RZ 450e Bitone Takumi Sonic Copper Review
Just when I think I'm becoming jaded, Lexus surprises me with something unexpected and cool. They profoundly understand that modern mobility encompasses advanced technology alongside engineering excellence. Lexus fuels its luxury car innovations with research and development funding from mass-market Toyota vehicles. However, Lexus is far more than a souped-up Toyota—it stands apart with a distinctiveness akin to the difference between Bentley and Audi.
The Lexus RZ 450e Bitone Takumi in sonic copper is stylish and offers a refined, luxurious drive that makes long-distance cruising feel as effortless as being chauffeured. Its dreamy comfort and simplicity make it perfect for short trips as well. This versatile luxury car excels in all conditions, catering to all types of drivers.
The Lexus RZ450e Takumi is not just a fast SUV; it's a rolling piece of art, a testament to the fact that electric vehicles can have soul and swagger. With its signature blade light that probably doubles as a Jedi weapon and bi-tone bodywork that makes it look like it's wearing a superhero cape, this car is the Clark Kent of the electric world.
Specs
Specifications include a 71.4 kWh battery capacity, providing a real-world range of up to 251 miles on a single charge. The vehicle's efficiency is rated at 298 Wh/mi, and it accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.3 seconds, with a top speed of 99 mph. Interestingly, the base model offers more range at 271 miles, so there is a trade-off for enhanced performance.
The all-wheel-drive system is powered by a total of 230 kW (308 bhp), ensuring robust performance. Charging is convenient with a Type 2 port for home charging and a CCS port for rapid charging, enabling a charging speed of up to 320 miles per hour during rapid charging sessions. The RZ 450e also comes with a 10-year warranty or 100,000 miles.
Exterior
The Lexus RZ 450e Takumi is a marvel of modern automotive design, blending elegance with electrifying innovation. It boasts a sleek silhouette that flows seamlessly from front to rear, creating a dynamic and powerful stance. The signature spindle grille has evolved into a more sophisticated form, perfectly reflecting the all-electric nature of the vehicle. The front features quadruple LED headlights that make a luxurious statement, seamlessly integrated with the car's contours. The rear is equally impressive, with a high-tech elongated LED light bar stretching across the width, highlighting the car's stability and making it look like it's ready to beam up to the mothership.
The Takumi model elevates this further with exquisite details like the optional bi-tone bodywork, which extends the contrasting black from the roof down to the bonnet, enhancing the muscular front wings and adding to the vehicle's commanding presence.
Oddly enough, the Takumi version is 10.5 cm shorter than the base RZ, coming in at 4.91 metres long. It’s like the car decided to go on a diet but lost height instead of width. As for the recharge port, it desperately needs an auto-sliding closure because it's all too easy to forget and leave it open, like driving along with your fly unzipped.
Interior
The Lexus RZ 450e is extraordinarily comfortable, luxurious, secure, spacious, and packed with useful tech that is consummately simple to use.
Stepping into the Lexus RZ450e Takumi is akin to entering a sanctuary of sophistication or a Zen garden. The ambient lighting doesn't just set the mood, it practically meditates for you, with 14 pre-set moods to choose from. The seats radiate ethical luxury, swathed in ultrasuede and Tahara man-made leather, adjustable all ways to Sunday. And it is quieter than the Bodleian library, thanks to acoustic glass and flush door mouldings that keep the outside world... vewy, vewy quiet, like Elmer Fudd hunting Bugs Bunny.
A dimmable panoramic glass sunroof will keep the children entertained for days. In truth, it's quite marvellous, providing an extra feeling of space when clear and creating a lovely, muted light when dimmed.
I usually avoid discussing infotainment screens since most are quite similar, but this 14" screen is exceptional. The detail, size, clarity, and especially the colour vibrancy are superb. In CarPlay, my iPhone screen colours are rich and almost hallucinogenic. The infotainment screen is very well-designed and attractive, featuring two large buttons at the bottom for ambience settings. The reversing camera offers a full 360-degree view, ensuring you'll never inadvertently crush that bollard strategically and cruelly placed just below your eye line again.
Despite the freezing minus 2-degree weather outside, the heated steering wheel and seats tempted me to spend the entire day working from the car. The heating is so instantaneous that it was a blessing during our early morning return from Newquay when it plummeted to -6 degrees outside.
Plus, in the Takumi, you get a heads-up display (HUD), which feels essential in electric cars with such smooth suspension. Without the usual engine sound and road bumps as clues, it's easy to lose track of your speed, making the HUD a lifesaver for keeping your driving licence points free.
However, the range display is a speck at the bottom right of the driver console. They should supersize it, and swap out the cryptic symbol for a bold "Range" label, so we know what the heck is going on and save our range anxiety from going into overdrive.
The 13-speaker Mark Levinson® premium surround sound system is impressive with a bass that will 'blow the bloody doors off' even when playing the Birdy song.
All in all the Lexus RZ 450e presents an unmistakable aura of refined luxury both deeply comfortable and aesthetically pleasing.
Performance
Let's start with the all-important range, shall we? Lexus claims 251 miles on a single charge, but this can vary based on factors like temperature, road surface, and your driving style. During our review in June, which was surprisingly cold, the maximum range on a full charge showed as 211 miles. However, the initial range display is accurate, and you do have a bit more to play with—around another 20 miles or so—so there's no need to panic until you're down to ten miles or less remaining.
The Lexus RZ 450e features regenerative paddles that enhance braking and reclaim power for the battery. Interestingly, I rarely used them because the cruise control, coupled with lane assist, practically drives for you. Normally, I'm not one to rely on cruise control, but Lexus's Level 2 autonomous driving is so advanced that it feels almost absurd to take control when it handles everything so smoothly. In the perennially poor weather conditions of England, where it seems to rain about 300 days a year, the car sees the road ahead better than we can through the lashing rain.
We put the Lexus RZ to the test, facing a gamut of conditions—from grey skies with torrential rain to pea-sized hailstones hitting like bullets. Through it all, the Lexus sailed with serene grace, maintaining its peaceful majesty even when visibility was near zero. It was a stress-free experience—just sit back and let the RZ effortlessly take you where you need to go.
It's equipped with all-wheel drive, featuring a front motor delivering a robust 150 kW of power, complemented by an additional 80 kW from the rear motor, resulting in a total power output of 230 kW. Despite its size, this setup instils immense confidence, with excellent road handling that eliminates any hint of roll or yaw.
The 20" alloy wheels maximize road adherence, but they do come at the cost of range. It's another trade-off to ponder: do you prefer sharper cornering or fewer stops to recharge?
You'll find Macpherson struts at the front and a double wishbone setup at the back. If these technical terms mean little to you, just take my word for it: the suspension is superb. You'll hardly feel the speed bumps, and most importantly, it effortlessly glides over the notorious M25, infamous for its dreadful road surface.
Our average efficiency was 2.9 kWh/m, which isn't too shabby. Expect even better efficiency as temperatures rise above 10-15 degrees Celsius. Around 20 degrees, you should see close to the maximum advertised range.
Keep in mind that our testing primarily focuses on long-range tours, involving a lot of motorway driving. However, the range performs much better on shorter trips into town or to the shops.
Braking is golden—superbly well-tuned for this car, perfectly balancing weight and performance. The first time you drive it, you'll immediately notice how light and easy they are.
I'll reiterate my disdain for AHB, or automatic high beam. Sure, you can turn it off, but most people don't, and it shouldn't exist until it's flawless. Most of the time, it unnecessarily flashes oncoming cars or vehicles in front. AHB might as well stand for annoying high beams. And it's not just Lexus; many new cars have this issue. Rant over. Even if the Takumi version has auto-levelling headlights.
I've mentioned Lexus' dynamic cruise control before, but it's worth reiterating. Only much more expensive cars offer this level of sophistication. While you remain in control, the car handles stopping, starting, accelerating, braking, maintaining your chosen speed, and steering through bends under 90 degrees—all without the stress. The lane assist effortlessly manages motorway driving, even in rainy conditions where visibility is severely limited. It can also maintain a safe following distance from the car ahead at your preferred setting. With minimal energy drain, you'll arrive feeling as refreshed as when you started any long journey.
The technology includes vehicle stability control, hill assist, anti-lock braking system, electric power steering, traction control, front pedestrian detection, pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, electric parking brake, front and rear performance dampers, blind spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert and braking, lane tracing assist, road sign assist (it reads the signs so you get the latest speed limit warnings), automatic rear flashing hazard lights, rear pedestrian detection, front cyclist detection, trailer sway control, safe exit assist, front motorcycle rider detection, pre-crash system, proactive driving assist and front cross-traffic alert.
If you managed to read all that then you get the idea. It is chock full of self-driving and safety systems. Essentially, it prevents you from making mistakes like pulling out in front of a car, opening a door into traffic, changing lanes unsafely, or even nodding off at the wheel, as it monitors your attentiveness to the road ahead.
During our Lexus RZ450e tour, we discovered an important tip for using a Tesla charger: gently push the cable to one side, either left or right, to ensure a secure connection. If you hear more than one click, it means you didn't hold it far enough to the side. Doing that means it works like a charm as let's face it the Tesla chargers are infinitely superior to any of the other independent chargers.
Conclusion
The Lexus RZ 450e Bitone Takumi represents a significant step forward for Lexus in the electric vehicle market. With its sophisticated design, advanced technology, and commitment to luxury, this model offers a compelling blend of performance and comfort. The Bitone Takumi trim, in particular, enhances the overall experience with its unique aesthetic touches and high-quality materials, providing a truly premium feel.
Driving the RZ 450e is a pleasure, thanks to its smooth handling and responsive acceleration. The interior is spacious and thoughtfully designed, with a focus on both driver and passenger comfort. Technological features are abundant, ensuring connectivity, convenience, and safety at every turn.
Overall, the Lexus RZ 450e Bitone Takumi is an excellent choice for those seeking a luxurious, eco-friendly vehicle that does not compromise on style or performance. It stands out in the crowded EV market and is a testament to Lexus's innovation and dedication to excellence. Furthermore, Lexus has left nothing to chance with this car, ensuring that every detail has been meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards. And that 10-year or 100,000-mile warranty underscores Lexus's confidence in the reliability and durability of the RZ 450e.
Lexus RZ 450e Bitone Takumi From £65,595.00
