Lexus has long been a leader in hybrid powertrains. But its first U.S. EV, the RZ450e, suggests it's an unenthusiastic conscript in the march to full battery propulsion.
Borrowing the e-TNGA architecture of the Toyota bZ4X, the RZ has the same wheelbase but is about five inches longer. Two motors, one on each axle, drive all four wheels (a single-motor version may join later). A more muscular front motor than the Toyota's pushes total output to 308 horsepower and 320 pound-feet.
The RZ lifts its modest 63.4-kWh battery from the single-motor bZ4X, and EPA range is just 196 miles with 20-inch wheels and 220 miles on 18s. That's in Normal drive mode; Eco and Range modes (the latter disables the HVAC system) can wring out a few more miles. Our 75-mph highway range test yielded a particularly short result: just 120 miles. Owners who need more, such as for a road trip, get 30 days of free Lexus rental cars over three years.
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Esta historia es de la edición June 2023 de Car and Driver.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
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Great Aspirations
Highs: Excellent fuel economy, good controls, quiet on the highway. Lows: Bigger outside than inside, just-average dynamics, premium pricing.
Treading Water
Highs: Sharper styling, big new touchscreen, solid electric range. Lows: No all-wheel drive, steep pricing, rivals are quicker.
Higher-Purpose Hybrid
Forget electric range. This plug-in hybrid delivers 791 horsepower.
1979-93 - WHAT TO BUY: SAAB 900
Echoing the design of the long-running 99 that preceded it, the updated and modernized Saab 900 was the car that brought the fringe Swedish brand into its closest proximity to the mainstream, which honestly wasn't that close.
12-Cylinder Salute
Bentley makes 18 Continental GT-based Baturs as a send-off for its W-12.
How to Winch in a Pinch
We head out into the Utah wilderness with the Cameron Advanced Mobility team to learn to off-road like military special forces.
Time Machines
A trip to Duncan Imports prompts an unexpected rendezvous with cars from my past. And want them all back. Well, except maybe the Ram.
Now Hear This
Automakers are going to new lengths to create the sounds of modern cars.
Getting Hammered
Jonathan Hodgman isn't afraid of a challenge, and his shop, Blue Ridge Mercedes, specializes in the difficult task of repairing early AMGS.
2022 GENESIS GV70
Long-Term Test AFTER TRACKING EVERY FILL-UP, SERVICE, PROBLEM, COMPLAINT, DENT, AND DOG HAIR, CAR AND DRIVER PRESENTS THE 40,000-MILE EVALUATION.
