What’s New with the 2024 Lexus RZ

After ushering in a new era of Lexus Electrified in January 2023 as the first all-electric vehicle in the brand’s lineup, the Lexus RZ sees several updates in 2024, including an all-new option – the RZ 300e with FWD. The RZ 300e has a higher EPA-estimated range rating of up to 266 miles, allowing customers more flexibility during their daily commute.

Also new in 2024, Copper Crest is added as an available exterior color option in mono- and bi-tone while a dual-voltage charging cable for 120V and 240 outlets becomes standard on all models.

Here are a few of the 2024 RZ Updates: 

Engaging Driving Performance

e-TNGA Platform

With its lightweight e-TNGA steel platform, the RZ possesses an optimal placement of mass and high body rigidity. RZ’s body employs high-tensile steel panels and an aluminum hood to reduce weight and increase rigidity. Marrying body and platform is a bevy of innovative technologies, including Laser Screw Welding and Laser Peening, short pitch spot welds, and high rigidity expansion joints.

The lightweight platform also offers enhanced stability and ride comfort by mounting the 96-cell lithium-ion battery pack under the vehicle floor, creating a low center of gravity and inertia movement. A urethane sealant helps to keep dust and water out of the stack’s reinforced structure, while efficient water-cooling and water-heating systems work to maintain an ideal battery temperature.

Driving Performance

Also lending to the RZ’s drive performance is the front MacPherson strut type suspension and rear trailing arm multi-link configuration with both specifically tuned and located to enhance handling balance, roll posture, and ride comfort.

The RZ is offered in two grades, Premium and Luxury. The RZ Premium rides atop 18-inch wheels in a Dark Gray Metallic finish while the Luxury is outfitted with 20-inch wheels in a Black and Machined finish.

An Expansive and Minimalistic Interior Space

The RZ’s cabin is a minimalist, yet airy and maximally appointed luxury environment. RZ’s interior layout benefits from a compact powertrain with a low platform and thoughtful wheel placement. RZ’s low hood allows for better front passenger forward visibility and the available panorama glass roof further lends a sense of wide openness and front-to-rear expansiveness. The goal of eliminating a roller shade function and adopting a smart-function low-e coating is to help the panorama glass roof suppress radiant heat. A dimming function, which instantly reduces the amount of light entering the cabin area, is available with the Dynamic Sky™ panorama glass roof option.

The cockpit is based on the concept of tazuna, or a horse’s rein. It features a driver-focused interior layout inspired by the communicative relationship between horse and rider. Key tazuna elements include steering wheel-mounted switches, an optimally positioned instrument panel for improved field of view and an available 10-inch head-up display (HUD). Controls for the navigation functions, audio system, and driving mode selection are within reach.

RZ introduces the intuitive shift-by-wire technology which includes a dial-type shift knob on the center console to select drive modes by turning it in a clockwise and counterclockwise motion. With no mechanical connections, the compact setup improves driver convenience while keeping in line with the minimalistic cabin space.

Cargo Capacity

With radiant heaters in place of a traditional glovebox, front passengers can stow their belongings underneath the center console, within the two-way opening console box, in the front tray, or in doors’ storage pockets. Cargo capacity at the rear easily accommodates three golf bags, or a combination of one large (31” x 21.5”x 13”) and one medium (29” x 20.5” x 12.5”) suitcase. Below the cargo hold’s deck, additional space is available to stow smaller items as well as the provided dual-voltage charging cable for 120V and 240V outlets.

Available Interior Combinations

The RZ has three interior colors options: Thunderstorm and Macadamia, Palomino, and Dapple Gray. Available ambient Illumination, a gentle, indirect cabin illumination, compliments the interior with a thematic multi-color option standard on the Luxury grade that gives users a choice of 50 colors and 14 themes. An all-new and standard Shadow Illumination creates a decorative pattern on the door trim.

Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist – helps support collision avoidance with certain detectable objects within the lane by applying gentle braking and steering operation under certain daytime conditions.

Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking – designed to provide a warning and automatic braking if the system determines a driver is turning left in front of an oncoming vehicle in certain daytime conditions.