- The 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F SPORT AWD delivers 402 horsepower with simulated paddle-shifted gear changes via “M Mode.”
- Estimated pricing is expected to start around $45,000, making it competitive with other midsize luxury EVs.
- Charging from 10% to 80% can be achieved in about 30 minutes under ideal DC fast charging conditions.
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Ever tried to mimic gear shifts in an EV? Lexus just handed you the paddles.
The 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F SPORT AWD comes in hot with 402 horsepower and a brand-first feature called “M Mode.” It lets you take control of virtual gear changes through paddle shifters, in a fully electric SUV. It may sound like something from a driving simulator, but no, this is real. Lexus wants you to feel the rhythm of acceleration, hear the synchronized pitch change, and get into a groove that feels closer to performance driving than anything else in its segment.
The 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F SPORT accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 4.1 seconds. That level of speed delivers a jolt of energy every time you press the pedal. Among all the RZ models, this one reaches that mark the fastest.
“The RZ 550e F SPORT AWD represents a new level of performance for our battery electric vehicles,” Lexus said in a release. And while that might sound like the usual corporate fluff, the specs speak louder. It pulls from a dual-motor system, one up front, one in back, generating the combined 300 kW (402 hp).
Charging has gotten an upgrade too. The vehicle now includes the North American Charging System (NACS) port and a higher capacity 11-kW onboard charger. That means faster Level 2 home charging, and under ideal conditions with DC fast charging, you can expect to go from 10% to 80% in around 30 minutes.
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But what good is speed and power if you can’t go the distance? Range has also taken a jump. The RZ 350e FWD delivers approximately 300 miles, the 450e AWD hits around 260, and this new F SPORT AWD version comes in with an estimated 225 miles on 20-inch wheels, which are solid numbers considering the performance focus and added weight from all-wheel drive.
The RZ 550e F SPORT model wears its F SPORT badge with pride. Blacked-out moldings, rear spoiler, 20-inch aero wheels, and a unique exterior color called “Wind”, which is a light gray with subtle metallics, make it one of the more aggressive-looking Lexus SUVs yet. And yes, aggressive in a good way. Think “clean punch,” not “overkill.” Seven monotone and four bi-tone color options round out the customization.
Inside, Lexus continues to lean into clean lines and subtle luxury. The RZ 550e F SPORT trim uses Black Ultrasuede with blue stitching, aluminum pedals, and micro-geometric patterns across the console. The animated ambient lighting on the door panels, called “Thematic Illumination”, has this flickering motion designed to evoke the passage of time. Slightly poetic, slightly sci-fi, fully Lexus.
Lexus has not officially released pricing yet, but based on trim levels, technology, and current EV competitors, we estimate the 2026 Lexus RZ lineup will start around $45,000. That places it squarely against the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y and Cadillac Lyriq, but with a more dialed-in interior and Lexus’ well-earned rep for reliability.
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And yes, we hear the Model Y crowd already typing. Sure, Tesla delivers performance metrics. But does it give you simulated gear shifting in an EV? No. Does it wrap you in Ultrasuede with aluminum footrests and throw in a time-themed ambient light show? Also no.
Lexus assembles the 2026 RZ 550e F SPORT at the Motomachi plant in Japan as part of its multi-pathway electrification strategy, which includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles. This approach offers a variety of technologies to suit different preferences and driving habits.
Some drivers may prefer efficiency or traditional hybrid systems. Others may want a high-performance electric SUV with paddle shifters and over 400 horsepower. For those in the latter group, Lexus has delivered exactly that.
The RZ lineup may have started out quiet in 2023, but this 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F SPORT AWD is the loudest it’s been yet. Not because of noise, it’s nearly silent, but everything to do with how it feels. It delivers a driving experience that feels connected, responsive, and physical.
And paddle shifters. In an electric SUV. Did not see that coming.
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IMAGES: LEXUS
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