Lexus RZ 450e current and upgrade

Lexus has long built a reputation on quality, refinement and bulletproof reliability. So, when it introduced its first ground-up electric vehicle, the RZ SUV, it was a serious statement of intent from this premium arm of the Toyota empire.

The current model blends a striking design, impressive performance and desirability, but its range is by no means class-leading.

However, for 2026, this has been addressed with a series of upgrades, not least a larger battery that considerably extends the range – a key area for EV buyers – putting range anxiety firmly in the rearview mirror.

Striking exterior

From its striking looks to its cutting-edge technology, the RZ is a luxury high-performance model with a comprehensive list of equipment. It is currently available in three versions – Premium Pack, Premium Plus Pack and Takumi.

It has a presence that is hard to ignore. Sitting between the NX and larger RX, it echoes some of their design features, including an elegant, sleek sculpted profile, the familiar but more striking spindle design on the front grille, trapezoidal headlamps, and a heat-shielding panoramic roof.

In addition, it features a powered boot lid, rear privacy glass, 20-inch alloy wheels, a split roof spoiler and the now signature Lexus LED light bar across the width of the car.

Light, airy, hi-tech cabin

The interior is light and airy with plush upholstery, thick carpets, and a high-end soft-touch finish to the dash and doors. Controls are intuitive and logically placed.

The central 14-inch touchscreen controls navigation and infotainment via a Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system. Smartphone connectivity and remote services are accessed via the latest Lexus Link Pro multimedia system with “always connected” services.

This allows remote locking and unlocking of the car and can activate the air conditioning system to warm or cool the cabin prior to starting a journey. A customisable multi-information display relays real-time info to the driver, complemented by a head-up display.

Legroom is good, although the almost coupé-like shape restricts headroom a little in the rear. The seats are firm and comfortable and the cabin, as is typical for Lexus, feels a comfortable place to be.

Performance and handling

It is the first Lexus to include new e-Axles and Direct4 all-wheel electronic drive torque control to improve handling and responsiveness, while a 74kW lithium-ion battery unit is fully integrated into the chassis beneath the cabin floor to deliver extra stability. These will all see upgrades for the 2026 model.

Power is delivered from the battery to twin motors, one on each axle, for a combined 310bhp, delivered via a seamless single-speed transmission.

For tricky conditions, the AWD system constantly distributes drive between the front and rear axles using data collected through a series of sensors.

It is very rapid, as are most electric vehicles, hitting the benchmark 60mph in a smidge over five seconds. Handling is responsive and the adaptive suspension provides independent damping control at each wheel, giving a more comfortable ride on uneven surfaces.

It is a fun drive, particularly on twisting country lanes where the grip is good, and it is equally at home in and around town, potholes included.

Practicality and safety

In practical terms, the battery placement doesn’t compromise the stowage area. With all seats in place, the boot provides 522 litres of space. This increases to an impressive maximum (to the ceiling) of 1,451 litres when the rear seats are folded down.

For safety, there is a full range of airbags, a 360-degree camera, parking sensors, and systems such as a pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, lane tracing assist and lane change assist.

The 2026 Evolution

While the current car’s tested range of approximately 220 miles is workable, the 2026 update promises to close that gap decisively. It is a brilliant motorway cruiser and with the ever-increasing number of charging stations, range anxiety is becoming less of a problem on longer journeys.

The 2026 Lexus RZ is not a revolution but a thoughtful evolution. The upcoming range-boosting battery will put it on a more level playing field with its competitors.

Factfile

Lexus RZ 450e – Premium Plus Pack (current model)
Price: £61,095
Mechanical: 309bhp/230kW electric motor driving all wheels via E-CVT automatic transmission
0-60 mph: 5.3 secs
Top speed: 99mph
Range (WLTP): 252 miles
2026 Update: Higher-capacity battery estimated 280 plus range
Insurance group: 44E
C02 emissions: 0g/km
Bik rating: 3%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles

Mazda2 Homura hybrid

By Bill McCarthy

I have mentioned having a soft spot for the Mazda2 before, following a Spanish adventure with the little car. It performed so well it saved me the embarrassment of having to be rescued after getting lost in the hills near Barcelona. Back in the early 2000s, a fellow journalist and I got hilariously lost, ending up on a dirt track.

The locals repairing the road made it plain they were amused by our predicament. After some comical detours, the Mazda2 handled the rough terrain like a champ and we finally got back on track with the help of a local police officer. Who knew it was a mountain goat in disguise?

A gap in the market

It was, and still is, a good-looking, well-built small car with tax-efficient engines – in this case, the latest hybrid combination. It’s not necessarily the cheapest, but it comes with an impressive array of standard equipment and Mazda’s rock-solid reputation for reliability. With the departure of Ford’s evergreen Fiesta, there’s all to play for in the B segment.

To emphasise the point, Jeremy Thomson, Managing Director of Mazda UK, said: “With the latest Mazda2 Hybrid we are ensuring customers in the supermini segment still have the choice of a Mazda in a sector that has seen several key models disappear in recent months.”

It’s not the cheapest supermini; the entry-level model starts at £24,580, with the range-topper at just short of £30k. However, Mazda does attract buyer loyalty and offers bulletproof reliability for peace of mind.

There are four models: the entry-level Centre-Line, Exclusive-Line, Homura, and the range-topping Homura Plus driven here. It is one of the better-looking superminis, and recent upgrades to its sculpted styling include changes to the grille, bumper, and rear tailgate. A sporty touch on this model are the black 17-inch alloy wheels and panoramic roof.

Hybrid economy

Economy is excellent, with official figures showing up to 72mpg, which I didn’t manage, achieving a still-respectable 65mpg with a fair chunk of motorway driving. The combined power output delivers 116ps through the three-cylinder engine and electric motor via a CVT automatic transmission, reaching 0-62 mph in 9.7 seconds.

Despite being a full hybrid, it can run for a decent amount of time in electric mode. Its silent, emission-free running means it can escape some congestion charges. During deceleration and under braking, kinetic energy is recovered as electrical energy for storage in the high-performance battery. The battery power level is constantly managed via an engine-driven generator, removing any need to recharge the system from an external source.

Well-equipped interior

The interior looks pretty upmarket for a small car. It features black cloth seats with red accents combined with a black gloss dash panel and contrasting red air vent surrounds. There are also black half-leather seats with red accents, a soft-touch black dash panel with red stitching, and a heated leather steering wheel with red stitching.

Central to the experience is the upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a seven-inch display for real-time information. This latest colour touch-screen display features the Mazda Connect system, which supports uprated Android Auto and now wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity, as well as navigation and infotainment.

Space and comfort

Four occupants can be seated in comfort, with a fifth being a tighter fit in the middle. Headroom and legroom are reasonable and exactly what you would expect in this class. The boot space is respectable, offering 286 litres with the rear seats in place. If you fold the rear seats flat, the space expands to a generous 930 litres, making it ideal for transporting larger loads.

Packed with equipment

Maybe not the cheapest, but the models are packed with equipment. Exclusive-Line models and upwards feature auto-folding mirrors, Blind-Spot Monitoring, and front and rear parking sensors. At the top of the range, the Homura and Homura Plus grades feature a new digital instrument binnacle and black roof lining.

There’s a decent level of equipment throughout the range. This model featured an impressive array of features, including integrated navigation, panoramic glass roof, LED lights, electric windows, power steering, a head-up display, smart keyless entry, privacy glass, reversing sensors, and rain and dusk sensors.

Conclusion

Not a mountain goat, but their managing director is right, it’s a stylish, economical, reliable car that has plenty to play for in the B segment.

Factfile

Mazda2 Homura Plus Hybrid
Price: £29,720
Mechanical: 115PS, 1,490cc, three cyl petrol engine and electric motor driving front wheels via e-CVT transmission
Max speed: 109mph
0-62mph: 9.7 seconds
Combined mpg: 67.3
Insurance group: 15E
CO2 emissions: 98g/km
Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles

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