Lexus RZ450e 2023 First Drive: Lexus' Turn to Enter the Electric Fray

•    Auto123 gets in a first drive of the 2023 Lexus RZ450e.

•    There are many elements of Toyota's bZ4X in this luxury model.

•    This first all-electric Lexus model will have to deliver what buyers in the segment expect.

Aix en Provence, France - After Toyota, it's the turn of its luxury division to enter the world of electric vehicles. For its RZ crossover, Lexus is using the same e-TNGA platform found in Toyota's bZ4X and Subaru's Solterra. The borrowing doesn’t end there: Lexus is also using the 71.4-kWh (65.6 usable) battery from the bZ4X.

The Lexus powertrain, however, is a more powerful dual-motor configuration that produces 313 hp. The luxury brand calls this powertrain Direct4, which offers standard all-wheel drive.

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