While the Toyota family is taking its time expanding their fully-electric options, they’re not shying away completely. Toyota made strides with the bZ4X, and their upscale sibling Lexus is joining with their first BEV, the 2023 RZ 450e.

Like the bZ4X, the RZ 450e is built on the e-TNGA platform, providing a solid foundation for its powertrain: a 71.4-kilowatt-hour battery pack supplying front and rear electric motors. Total system output is 308 horsepower, sent to the standard DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system.

On standard 18-inch wheels, expect up to 220 miles of range; with the 20-inch wheels, up to 196 miles. Recharging from 0-80 percent can be done in about 30 minutes with a DC fast charger.

And while you’re charging, kick back in the minimalist, yet well-appointed interior. Two stand-out features are the standard 14-inch touchscreen and panorama glass roof; the latter can be optioned with a Dynamic Sky feature, electrically frosting the glass at the touch of a button.

We also had a chance to try out the new steer-by-wire system.

KYLE SCANLON: So now I’m in the vehicle with the steer by wire system. Now this is going to be an option down the line, but it is not available right now. It is a very interesting feel let me tell you, there is something about A.) not having a completely round steering wheel, you know the only people that are really used to that are like, F1 racers. And you go through these sections where, you know, very, very tight steering and the steering wheel is only going over 90 degrees. And the car is doing an extremely tight turn. if you can see right here This is a very quick U-Turn, 90 degrees over with the right hand.

The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e starts under 60-thousand-dollars with delivery, with top-trims starting near 65-thousand-dollars. It’s being built in Japan, and is on sale in limited quantities now.