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When it comes to crafting a truly luxurious electric SUV, Lexus has taken a bold step with the RZ 450e. This interior review dives into how the vehicle delivers tactile luxury and thoughtful design, despite its relatively modest range. Based on the ETNGA platform shared with the Toyota BZ4X, the Lexus RZ 450e elevates the electric experience with a refined interior built for comfort, sustainability, and subtle opulence.
A Premium Cabin Built on Purpose
While the Lexus RZ shares structural DNA with the Toyota BZ4X, its interior moves decidedly upmarket. Nearly every touchpoint communicates a sense of intentional craftsmanship. Vegan leather wraps the majority of the cabin, but you’d be hard-pressed to distinguish it from high-end animal hide. The material boasts a rich, supple hand that defies expectations—soft, durable, and convincingly premium.
The door panels and dashboard feature extensive soft-touch surfaces, even in zones typically relegated to hard plastic in non-luxury models. Foam padding hides beneath decorative layers, and subtle color transitions—like the use of light grays paired with dark charcoal accents—underscore Lexus’s commitment to restraint and harmony.
Precision Fit and Finish
Munro & Associates’ teardown team praised the interior execution, particularly around alignment and joinery. Interior panels are tight, clean, and impeccably assembled. One standout: the metallic trim inserts, which offer a muted shine without slipping into the flashy chrome territory that can cheapen a luxury feel. Instead of loud finishes or faux woodgrain, Lexus opts for tasteful matte textures and a soft metallic sheen.
This consistency extends across the cabin, including less-visible zones such as the A-pillars, which are wrapped in soft-touch fabric rather than exposed plastic. Even the upper dashboard receives this treatment, avoiding glare and adding to the tactile harmony.
Functional Luxury: Intuitive Interfaces and Smart Features
Lexus complements its upscale materials with intuitive interfaces. A standout detail is the door handle, which features both electronic and manual actuation. With a gentle touch, the door pops open, offering a seamless user experience. If needed, the same lever can be pulled twice to activate the manual release—an elegant blend of form and function.
The HVAC controls continue this trend of restraint. Rather than chrome-heavy toggles, Lexus uses small, grained surfaces for adjustments. The result is an interface that feels premium without being ostentatious, inviting touch while maintaining visual calm.
A thoughtful lighting system adds to the overall ambiance. Lexus employs a clever projection method to display interior light graphics on the door trim—without physically altering or molding the surface. The projection can be dimmed, turned off, or customized, offering flexibility without added manufacturing cost or complexity.
Seats That Embrace You
Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Lexus RZ’s cabin is its seating. Both front and rear seats offer exceptional comfort, with firm yet giving bolsters that support without restriction. Heated and ventilated functionality comes standard in the front seats, which are stitched simply and tastefully.
Lexus uses a darker accent strip along the seat edges, contrasted with a lighter center section. This color blocking not only adds visual interest but supports smart material utilization. According to the teardown commentary, this strategic fabric segmentation minimizes waste and enhances manufacturing efficiency—a quiet nod to lean design principles.
Rear-seat comfort is nearly on par with the front row. Despite many automakers treating rear benches as secondary, the RZ offers ample headroom and legroom. The seats mirror the front styling and include fabric-covered fold-down armrests with built-in cupholders. Even small design details—like avoiding elastic map pockets in favor of simple wrapped panels—reinforce a commitment to longevity and visual cohesion.
Storage and Layout Tradeoffs
Though passenger comfort is exceptional, storage is somewhat limited. The center console offers only a modest amount of space, and the absence of a traditional glove box may frustrate some drivers. That said, Lexus makes smart use of remaining cabin real estate. A thoughtful slot in the visor securely holds a credit card or driver’s license—small, but user-friendly.
In the rear, cargo space is generous. The high beltline contributes to a large trunk area and a wide hatch opening, making it easy to load and unload. Beneath the trunk floor, an additional bin stores charge cables and more. The retractable privacy shade above the cargo area is another elegant touch, giving drivers peace of mind when hauling valuables.
Sustainable Materials, Traditional Comfort
Lexus’s commitment to vegan materials doesn’t come at the cost of quality. Unlike some competitors, where “vegan leather” translates to plasticky finishes or stiff upholstery, the RZ achieves a luxurious, warm interior feel. Soft-touch surfaces extend beyond expectations, and the vehicle avoids the common pitfall of overdesign.
For eco-conscious drivers who refuse to compromise on comfort, the RZ presents a compelling option. It’s a vehicle that reflects changing consumer priorities—balancing sustainability, aesthetic sophistication, and user experience.
Areas for Improvement
Despite all the praise, the RZ 450e isn’t perfect. Its electric range—approximately 200 miles—is on the lower end of the premium EV spectrum. Rivals like the Audi e-tron and Jaguar I-PACE outperform it in this category, offering closer to 240 miles per charge. Charging speed is also sluggish, making long-distance travel less convenient.
These limitations may be a dealbreaker for range-conscious buyers. However, for urban drivers or those with predictable daily commutes, the RZ’s comfort and craftsmanship could outweigh its range restrictions.
Final Verdict: A Luxurious Space Worth Experiencing
The Lexus RZ 450e interior exemplifies thoughtful luxury. Every surface is deliberate, every detail considered. From its projected lighting to its vegan materials, it redefines what elegance can look like in an electrified future.
This EV may not dominate on range or price, but it wins where it counts—comfort, quality, and a sense of serene sophistication. Lexus shows that lean design and premium materials can coexist, and the result is a quiet triumph in electric vehicle interiors.
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