There’s something about being on an open road in a beautiful place that reminds you what driving was meant to feel like. Not the stop-and-go frustration of daily commutes or the endless backseat negotiations over which playlist to play next. Just you, the car, and the road—every curve, every rise, every unexpected thrill. That’s the kind of feeling Lexus is trying to capture with its revised 2026 RZ, an electric luxury SUV that, for the first time in a while, actually feels alive behind the wheel.
The drive through Portugal’s countryside wasn’t chosen by accident. It was warm, breezy, and filled with tight switchbacks and rolling straights, the kind of route that invites curiosity and challenges confidence. In this kind of setting, the new RZ quietly surprised. Not because of outrageous top speed or ultra-aggressive styling, but because of its composure. There’s a calmness in the way it takes each bend—smooth, steady, sure-footed—powered by 408 horsepower and a balanced, dual-motor setup that’s refined, not reckless.
But what makes this version of the RZ stand out isn’t just numbers. It's the emotion behind the engineering. The updated chassis tuning, improved battery management, and notably sharper steering combine to give the RZ a sense of poise that most electric SUVs still lack. Lexus has been in the hybrid and EV space for years, but this one feels like a step toward something more human—a vehicle that’s not just clean or quiet, but connected to how we want to drive.
One of the biggest talking points is the new steer-by-wire system, paired with a butterfly-style yoke steering wheel. It’s not the kind of change that screams practicality, and truth be told, it's not even coming to the U.S. yet. But out there on those Portuguese roads, it made a difference. The steering felt precise, direct, and oddly playful. At low speeds, the wheel barely needed to turn to get you around tight corners. At higher speeds, it settled into a weighty, confident rhythm. This isn’t a gimmick—it’s a genuine attempt to rethink how drivers interact with machines, and the result is surprisingly intuitive once you get past the initial novelty 🤯
Of course, most American buyers won’t see that feature in showrooms just yet, but the rest of the RZ’s upgrades are more universally available. Better range, improved regenerative braking, and a smarter software interface mean the everyday experience is better no matter where you drive it. There’s also a notable refinement in cabin materials. Lexus didn’t completely redesign the interior, but the little upgrades—nicer stitching, better materials on high-touch surfaces, and more intuitive climate controls—add to the sense of elevated comfort. It feels like someone finally sat down and thought about what it’s like to live with this car every day, not just what it looks like in a brochure.
Even with all the tech and tuning improvements, the RZ doesn’t lose sight of what makes an SUV useful. The rear seats offer ample room for adults, and the cargo area is shaped to handle everything from golf bags to groceries. For a compact luxury SUV, it strikes a sweet spot between urban maneuverability and weekend-getaway flexibility. One family who had rented a 2023 RZ on their European trip remarked how their kids actually wanted to get back into the car after pit stops—something they couldn’t say about their three-row gas SUV back home 😄
That blend of usability and refinement is what might ultimately give the RZ a stronger foothold in the highly competitive electric vehicle market. Right now, the segment is flooded with options. Some push the tech envelope. Others chase minimalism. A few try to dazzle with price or raw performance. But Lexus, quietly and carefully, is trying to remind us that luxury still matters, that electric can be elegant, and that driving—real, joyful driving—isn’t going away.
You feel it most in the way the RZ responds to input. There’s a lightness to it that makes it less of a task to drive, even in traffic. The regenerative braking is adjustable and now smoother, which makes city driving feel less jerky. Long highway stints are calm and confident, with cabin noise kept to a gentle hush thanks to solid insulation and clever engineering. You could do hundreds of miles in this thing and still step out relaxed. Not thrilled in a track-day sense, but content in a way that stays with you. That kind of comfort doesn’t always make headlines, but it makes a huge difference in how people actually use their cars.
What’s still evolving is Lexus’s EV strategy. The brand has been deliberate in its rollout—some might say slow—but what’s clear from the 2026 RZ is that they’re not rushing to copy competitors. They’re building at their own pace, applying what they’ve learned from decades of hybrid experience to craft something that feels uniquely Lexus. Yes, there’s room for more range, and yes, the yoke may be a few years away for U.S. buyers, but the direction is promising.
And maybe that’s what makes this car interesting. It’s not here to blow your mind with zero-to-sixty sprints or autonomous wizardry. It’s trying to give you back something you might not even realize you’ve lost—the sense that driving, even in an electric SUV, can still be deeply satisfying. Not flashy or futuristic, but familiar and real.
Like driving through a place you’ve never been with the windows down and the music just right. Like remembering that the best part of the trip isn’t always the destination, but how you get there 🚗💨