While the market has cooled a bit on EV’s, that doesn’t mean manufacturers have taken their foot off the gas (ok bad analogy) to improve their full-on electric vehicles. We’ve recently tested the Toyota bZ and Subaru Solterra and found strong improvements.

The Toy and Subie share much of the same platform, as does our next vehicle, the Lexus RZ. Like the other two, new improvements are raising the bar, but the thing that really got our hearts pumping was the introduction of an all-new 550e F Sport model. More performance? Time for a test drive!

Sleek and Purposeful

The design changes are subtle for 2026, even on the new F Sport model.

The aggressive hourglass-shaped nose remains the same, with signature arrow driving lights and projector headlights and dual side grilles creating an aggressive presence. A unique F Sport front bumper molding with a little more blacked out trim hints at a greater performance presence.

The sideview remains familiar with a high shoulder line, small greenhouse and swept-back windshield and rear pillars for a racy look. Unique blacked out 20-inch wheels with aero covers, optional blue brake calipers and a subtle F Sport badge on the front fender add some aggressive vibes.

Changes at the rear are subtle, with a more aggressive lower bumper, an interestingly shaped rear spoiler below the rear widow, helping to set off the L E X U S tastefully spelled out in block letters. Our tester was equipped in a new color that will be exclusive to the F Sport, a handsome solid light gray with metallic tones that Lexus calls “Wind”.  It’s a lovely blend of elegance that also helps offset the dark tone F Sport trim. If that doesn’t float your boat, seven exterior monotone colors and four bi-tone colors will be offered across the RZ lineup.

Black and Blue

Inside, the 550e is a nice blend of expected Lexus luxury and F Sport athleticism. Like all RZ models, the 550e gives off a strong cockpit vibe with a wide center console and a large info-tainment screen angled towards the driver – making it feel like you’re the captain of your own personal business jet.

The driver’s digital display is concise and informative, and we love that in the F Sport’s manual mode, the screen changes over to look like you have a functional tachometer – on an EV! (more on that in a bit)

The 11.4-inch touchscreen looks massive, and the image is sharp and clear. While most controls are now on the screen, Lexus gives you a few solids with knurled knobs for climate control temp and audio volume and also reserves the lower part of the screen for the climate controls, so you feel like they are easily at hand. And like any modern info-tainment system, you can use voice commands for just about everything.

To keep things light and bright, Lexus has improved the Dynamic Sky Panorama Glass roof with greater shading when opaque and a clearer view when transparent.  

In a luxury model, touchpoints matter, and F Sport makes the most of them. You park yourself in supportive sport seats decked out in a combo of model-unique black Ultrasuede trim with handsome blue stitching accents. Heated and cooled, you’re super comfy. Illumination throughout the cabin and Ultrasuede door trim helps make this feel like a bucks-up version.

F Sport ups the sporty vibe a micro-geometric pattern design on the center console, F Sport front scuff plates, an F Sport emblem on the steering wheel and aluminum pedals. We also like the black Alcantara used throughout the interior for its rich look and feel.

While we like to be up front, the rear seats are impressively spacious, and even with that rakish roof line, head room is generous in the back. And while the RZ does feel posh, it’s practical too, with rear seats that fold down to create a flat loading floor and generous cargo hold. Hey, it’s a Lexus and an EV, but it’s still an SUV, too!

F Sport with an emphasis on Sport

Driving the 550e is the big treat here. While it seems natural for an EV to have the virtues you’d expect in a Lexus – quiet, smoothness and refinement – we were really interested to see how they would make the RZ add in the F Sport flavor to the mix.

For 2026 the full line up gets some changes – The RZ300e now becomes the RZ350e and gets a 20 hp bump to 221 and also gets a 34-mile range increase to 301. All good. The former top of the line RZ450e soldiers on with 308 horses but picks up 40 miles of range to 264. Also good.

Our tester, the all-new RZ550e F Sport is the top dog, with a stellar 402 horsepower and added goodies including a special suspension and 20-inch wheels. Those big wheels are part of the culprit for the RZ’s meh range rating of 229 miles.

You’ll have a bunch of fun with those miles, though, as the F Sport clicks off 0-60 in a very rapid 4 seconds, and it’s got a very trick manual mode that pipes in a space-shippy engine sound that rev like a gas engine and even has a “tachometer” that’s on the display.

More fun to be had when you pull on the paddles shifters and the power delivery slows and then kicks you in the back like a high-performance sedan! It’s probably slightly slower this way, but it’s so involving and fun, and it makes you smile. That’s F Sport goodness right there!

We also found the ride to be a beautiful blend of Lexus creamy with a little F Sport jalapeno kick – just enough to keep things interesting, and nicely weighted steering feels linear making this a fun vehicle to zip around the corners. No, it’s a not a sports car, but there’s plenty of driving enjoyment served up in an elegant, low-key way.

And when you’re not pushing it, the EV powertrain is smooooooth, the ride is quiet and compliant, and this is an easy vehicle for commutes or longer drives. We also found that the Lexus suite of driver assist makes for an exceptionally stress-free stop and go experience.

When you need to charge, all new RZs are fitted with an improved 11-kW on-board AC charger and a NACS (North American Charging System) charging port, which allows for quicker AC charging and the ability to DC fast-charge at Tesla Superchargers. While some competitors may charge more quickly, we found the RZ took on board electrons at a reasonable rate.

What’s the price for Sporty Spice?

Here’s another pleasant surprise.

The RZ line up starts with the updated RZ 350e, with its expanded range and performance and all the goodness that comes with owning a Lexus, $47,395 strikes us as impressive value.

Our RZ 550e AWD F Sport is the top of the line and starts at $57,000. Tasteful options included Blue Brake Calipers ($500), Cold area package ($200), Luxury Package ($2,600), and some assorted accessories, plus $1,295 for Destination. All totaled, we rang the bell at $62,034. For the top of the line in a Lexus that’s still impressive value!

If you love the overall shape and quality, we think the sibling Toyota bZ is definitely worth a look, with similar performance and a great overall drive. And at $50,993 for the model we tested, also an impressive value. In the luxury brands, we’d look at the all-new Volvo EX60 with that Swedish premium vibe. While it comes in with over 500 horsepower, the actual performance looks quite similar to the Lexus RZ550e – although the range is better. At $68,745 it’s definitely worth checking out.

Combining updates across the model line, the all-new 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F Sport is a wonderful blend of Lexus luxury, EV sensibility, and F Sport excitement!