From InsideEVs.
While electric vehicle sales cooled in the first quarter due to the end of the federal tax credit and a regulatory rollback, Toyota and Lexus EVs bucked that trend. The updated 2026 bZ emerged as the best-selling non-Tesla EV in Q1. Sales of the Lexus RZ surged 206% year over year to nearly 4,500 units.
Some of that sales boost can likely be attributed in part to the big upgrades the Lexus electric crossover received for 2026. The RZ now comes with a larger battery pack, faster charging, and a Tesla-style North American Charging Standard (NACS) port fitted straight from the factory. The lineup also expands at the top end with the new, quicker 550e F Sport trim.
This variant introduces what Lexus calls “Interactive Manual Drive,” a system that lets drivers simulate gear changes using paddle shifters on the steering wheel, like combustion cars. The system does a thorough job mimicking a manual gearbox. But it’s not nearly as polished as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, whose simulated transmission feels better aligned with the car’s broader performance focus.
Read more here:
The 2026 Lexus RZ 550e Tries Something New. It Doesn’t Quite Work
https://insideevs.com/reviews/793206/lexus-rz-550e-review-manual-gear-shifts/
00:00 – Introduction
01:50 – Lexus RZ 550e Design & Features
04:15 – Lexus RZ 550e Trim Breakdown
04:55 – Lexus RZ 550e Manual Transmission
08:23 – Lexus RZ 550e Driving Review
09:05 – Lexus RZ 550e Charging Test
10:54 – Conclusion
2026 Lexus RZ 550e F Sport Specs
As-Tested Price: $62,034, with destination
Base Price: $58,295
Battery: 76.96 kilowatt hours
Efficiency: 2.5-4.0 miles per kWh (Observed)
Charge Type: NACS
Charge Time: 10-80% in 30 minutes
EV Range: 229 miles
Output: 402 horsepower
Maximum torque: 198.1 lb-ft at both axles
Speed 0-62 MPH: 4.1 seconds
Transmission: 8-speed virtual shifter
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