Right. The Lexus RZ. In its pre-refresh form, it was exactly what you’d expect from Lexus: whisper-quiet, impeccably comfortable, and about as exciting as being gently wafted along on a cloud that’s just been given a mild sedative and a cup of chamomile tea. Lovely, yes. Thrilling? Not even remotely. And as an electric car, it didn’t quite hit the mark either.
So now, for 2026, Lexus has had a bit of a rethink. This is the updated RZ, and more specifically, the new range-topping Lexus RZ 550e F Sport—which promises, at least on paper, to inject a bit of spice into what was previously a very beige curry. I borrowed one for a week to find out if it’s actually sporty… or just wearing trainers with a tuxedo.
For 2026, the lineup expands to three models: the front-wheel-drive-only RZ 350e, the all-wheel-drive 450e, and this—the 550e F Sport, which sits at the top of the pile and comes exclusively with all-wheel drive and Lexus’s sort-of performance badge. It’s not quite a full-fat M car rival, more like it’s been to the gym once and is now telling everyone about it.
Looks
Now, interestingly, because it’s electric, there’s no need for that enormous, predator-faced spindle grille Lexus has been so fond of. It’s gone. Sort of. The shape is still there, like a ghost of questionable design decisions past, but it’s been smoothed over. There’s a small intake down below for cooling, complete with grille shutters, but overall it looks cleaner, sharper… and less like it wants to eat a small village.
What do you get in the F-Sport trim?
As for what you get with the F Sport trim, it’s the usual sort of thing: aluminum pedals, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, scuff plates, a rear spoiler, and something called M Mode—which sounds like it should involve explosions, but sadly does not.
What is M Mode?
This is where things get… odd.
Lexus has decided that what this electric SUV really needed was a simulated manual gearbox. Yes. You can use the paddle shifters to “shift” through eight fake gears, complete with synthesized noises that blend a gas engine with electric whirring. It’s a bit like karaoke for your drivetrain.
Now, I don’t hate it. It’s harmless fun. But I do find myself wondering why it exists in something shaped like a sensible family crossover. In something like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, it makes sense—it’s got that hooligan hot hatch energy. Here, it’s like fitting a whoopee cushion to a leather armchair. Amusing, but faintly ridiculous.
Wheels and tires
The F Sport rides on rather handsome 20-inch black wheels with aero covers, which manage to look aggressive while still being aerodynamic—no small feat. They’re wrapped in Dunlop Sport Maxx 235/50 summer tires, which sound serious because they are. Standard brake calipers are a bit dull, but my test car had optional blue ones, which immediately add at least 5 horsepower. Probably.
Under the hood (well… under the floor)
Mechanically, this is where things get properly interesting. The 2026 RZ gets larger batteries—74.69 kWh for the lower trims and 76.96 kWh for this one. Power figures? The 350e makes 224 horsepower, the 450e bumps that to 313, and this—the 550e F Sport—delivers a rather stout 408 horsepower.
That’s enough to launch it from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. Which, in something weighing about 5,000 pounds, is less “brisk” and more “blimey.” The base car, meanwhile, takes a more leisurely 7.1 seconds, which feels about right for something that probably owns a set of golf clubs.
Range and Charging
It now uses the North American Charging System, which is good news, and charging speeds have improved thanks to an 11-kW onboard charger. Total battery capacity sits just under 77 kWh, and with the 20-inch wheels, you’re looking at an estimated range of 229 miles.
That’s… fine. Not groundbreaking, not disastrous. Lexus claims a 10–80% charge in about 30 minutes at up to 150 kW, which again is perfectly respectable, if not headline-grabbing.
Panoramic Roof
The panoramic glass roof has also been improved. Previously, it let in so much sunlight you could practically grow tomatoes in the cabin. Now, it’s more opaque and comes with a proper sunshade, meaning you can enjoy the sky without being slowly roasted.
Driving
Out on the road, though, is where this thing starts to make a case for itself. On a battered two-lane road full of potholes and unexpected bumps, the suspension was superb. It just soaked everything up with that classic Lexus polish. Yes, the F Sport setup is stiffer than the standard car, but it never becomes harsh—it’s firm in the way a good mattress is firm, not in the way a park bench is.
Push on, and the 408 horsepower makes itself very known. You can carry high speed into corners, and the chassis keeps everything tidy and composed. The dampers do a brilliant job of controlling body movement, and despite that considerable weight, it feels… surprisingly agile. Is it the last word in steering feel? No. It’s a bit numb, a bit distant. But that’s the nature of the beast—an electric crossover designed more for serenity than scalpel-like precision.
Interior
Inside, however, it’s pure Lexus magic. The materials are soft, plush, and beautifully put together. The F Sport’s Ultrasuede interior feels fantastic, and everything you touch, from the steering wheel to the trim around the 14-inch screen, feels like it’s been crafted by people who genuinely care.
The steering wheel itself is wrapped in leather so soft it’s as if the engineers moisturized it daily. And the seats? Absolutely superb. Spacious, supportive, and supremely comfortable. Frankly, they make many German and American rivals feel like they were designed by people who’ve only ever sat on a park bench.
Round the back, things don’t suddenly fall apart like a cheap garden shed in a light breeze. Oh no. The rear seats are, annoyingly for anyone hoping to complain, rather good. There’s space, actual, human-sized space, along with vents to stop your passengers from melting into a puddle, power outlets for their endless devices, and a pair of cupholders that suggest Lexus fully expects them to sit there, smugly hydrated, judging your driving. It’s all terribly civilised, which is exactly what you’d expect.
Pricing
Prices start at $57,000, which is reasonable enough in this segment. My test car had the $2,600 Luxury Package, adding things like Traffic Jam Assist, Advanced Park, a Mark Levinson sound system, and a digital rearview mirror. Throw in a $200 roof shade and a $140 cargo mat, and you’re looking at a total of $62,034.ding Traffic Jam Assist, Advanced Park, a Mark Levinson surround system, and a Digital Rear View mirror. The glass roof shade is $200, and the carpeted cargo mat is $140. Total price is $62,034.
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Verdict
So then. The 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F Sport. It’s stylish. It’s fast. It’s beautifully made and incredibly comfortable. And yet… it feels like it’s having a bit of an identity crisis. It wants to be a performance EV. It wants to be a traditional Lexus luxury cruiser. And, bizarrely, it also wants to pretend it’s a manual sports car.
The result is slightly confusing, like a butler who occasionally breakdances. But here’s the thing—I rather like it anyway.
2026 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F-Sport Numbers
BASE PRICE: $57,000
PRICE AS TESTED: $62,034
VEHICLE LAYOUT: Dual motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, SUV
FRONT AND REARS: Permanent-magnet synchronous AC
COMBINED POWER: 402 hp
BATTERY PACK: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 77 kWh
ONBOARD CHARGER: 11 kW
PEAK DC FAST CHARGE RATE: 150 kW
TRANSMISSION: direct-drive
CURB WEIGHT: 5,000 lb (est)
0-60 MPH: 4.0 seconds
EPA ESTIMATED RANGE: 229 Miles
COMBINED/CITY/HIGHWAY: 95/102/88 MPGe
CARGO SPACE: 23 cubic feet, 60 cubic feet with rear seat folded
PROS: Beautiful interior, quicker than expected, M-Mode gimmicky but fun
CONS: Needs more range
2026 Lexus RZ 550e F-Sport Review
