Lexus has replaced the RZ450e in Singapore with the new RZ350e Executive, trading outright performance for greater driving range, lower road tax and a lower entry price.
When the RZ first arrived in Singapore in 2023, the RZ450e was the only version available. Its dual electric motors produced 308bhp and 435Nm of torque, allowing it to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.
The new RZ350e takes a different approach. It uses a single electric motor driving the front wheels, making it less powerful than its predecessor but more efficient and better suited to buyers who prioritise everyday usability over outright acceleration.
The biggest change is the battery. The RZ350e gets a larger 77kWh battery, giving it more range than the RZ450e’s smaller battery pack. That addresses one of the biggest criticisms of the earlier model, which offered less driving range than some competing luxury electric SUVs.
The RZ retains the distinctive styling that separates it from more conventional luxury SUVs. Its low-slung profile, sharp body creases, fastback-like rear section and Lexus spindle-inspired front treatment give it a sportier appearance than many of its taller rivals.
Inside, the emphasis is less on flashy technology and more on Lexus’ traditional approach to fit, finish and refinement. The cabin is designed to provide a quiet environment, with high-quality materials and a well-finished interior.
The trade-off becomes clearer when the accelerator is pressed. The RZ350e is not intended to deliver the same performance as the RZ450e. Instead, its single-motor setup prioritises efficiency, while its lower output also means a lower road-tax burden for Singapore buyers.
There is another significant difference: price. Lexus Singapore currently lists the RZ350e Executive from S$359,800, including the prevailing taxes and Certificate of Entitlement, making it substantially less expensive than the previous RZ450e positioning.
The new model therefore represents a shift in strategy for Lexus. Rather than competing primarily on acceleration, the RZ350e focuses on the characteristics that may matter more to luxury-EV buyers using their cars every day — range, quietness, comfort and operating costs.
It also arrives at a time when Singapore’s premium EV market is becoming increasingly crowded, with European, Japanese and Chinese manufacturers offering electric SUVs across a wide range of price points.
The RZ350e may have less power than the car it replaces, but Lexus appears to be betting that more range, lower running costs and a lower starting price could matter more to Singapore buyers.
The bigger question is whether giving up performance for practicality will make the RZ350e the Lexus RZ that local buyers were waiting for.
