- The cheapest Lexus RZ300e can be bought for as little as $43,975, including the destination fee.
- The new base model trim is called “Standard” and will be available in both the FWD-only RZ300e and AWD RZ450e.
- All Lexus RZ trims got a price cut for 2025.
Toyota and Lexus are bound and determined to make something out of the pleasant-to-drive but lackluster Toyota BZ4X and its sister Lexus RZ crossover. It started with a mild freshening this year, adding a new single motor trim, which offered more range and better efficiency. For 2025, Lexus is looking to further broaden the crossover’s appeal with a new entry-level trim and a bargain-basement price.
Similar to other Lexus models, the base Lexus RZ300e and RZ450e will be called “Standard” and will slot underneath the two existing model trims, Luxury and Premium, respectively. Like the upper-level trims of Lexus’s electric crossover, the base model will still get the same battery and motor specifications as the upper-trimmed variants. That means the RZ450e’s 71.4kWh battery and 308 horsepower dual motor setup will still be good for a not-so-good 220 miles or 196 miles of range, depending on which wheel option you choose.
The winner of the RZ range is the RZ300e. This front-wheel-drive-only trim may have less power, but its slightly larger 72.8 kWh battery and more efficient drivetrain allow it to achieve 266 miles of range. This still might be behind some competitors like the Cadillac Lyriq or Tesla Model Y, but for most people, the RZ300e’s range is likely satisfactory.
The real story, however, is the price. The new base model RZ300e’s price is only $43,975 (including destination fees), significantly undercutting the $55,175 of last year’s Premium trim model. In fact, the whole Lexus RZ range has had a price adjustment. The most expensive RZ450e is now only $58,605, down significantly from the $65,580 of last year’s equivalent model. This is a pretty big price cut, as it stands a base 2025 Lexus RZ is only about $900 more expensive than a base model 2024 Toyota BZ4x. (Toyota hasn’t released pricing on the 2025 Toyota BZ4x.)
Of course, the Standard trim does miss out on some features. The ventilated seats are missing, as is the glass panoramic roof. Also, the two-tone paint options are unavailable on the cheapest trim.
It seems like Lexus is realizing their folly of pricing its kind of meh EV crossover so high against such stiff competition. Last year’s pricing wasn’t great, but a $44,000 Lexus crossover could be enticing. Just look at the surprising sales of the BZ4x. True, Toyota’s EV products have shortcomings, but reports of unbeatable deals have surprised them in the market.
Contact the author: kevin.williams@insideevs.com
