RZ RIDE QUALITY….HELP

[Yorkshire Lexus]

Hi my UXE Takumi goes back soon, I’m thinking of an RZ because of the bigger boot, but can you please advise what the ride quality is like ? I live in Holmfirth West yorks and the roads are truly terrible, pot holes etc all over .

My UXE Takumi soaks up the bumps and pot holes absolutely superbly, is the RZ as good ???

im after a RZ 4x4 Premium Plus model, £400 plus Vat,per month on Business Lease, 2 years lease , seems a good deal to me !

Underwhelmed by the colours etc, looks like Met white and Orange interior ..😎

[BobRZ]

I bought a one year old RZ Premium Plus a couple of weeks ago and am delighted with everything including the ride. However, my 2 back seat passengers thought the ride a bit “Jiggly” on one occasion, I haven’t tried as a passenger myself so don’t know but is definitely all good in the front. I believe Lexus are offering a 24 hour test drive at the moment so I would take up this offer for final confirmation. I have owned a GS, RX and ES before this along with an iPace, several Mercs, BMW etc and the RZ beats them all in my book. Good luck. Bob

[NemesisUK]

I've had the UX as a courtesy car and was very impressed with how it dealt with bad roads, far better than the RC I had at the time. I have had the RZ on a test drive, over the same roads and it wasn't as composed but have to say it was slightly better than my current RX. Trouble is there are so many influences vying for attention it's difficult to get a genuine impression until one has lived with a car for some time..

[wivenhoe]

I think the models are different. The Takumi is the only model to have  ‘performance dampers’ - I would definitely suggest a long test drive. All EV’s are much heavier than petrol equivalents and the performance dampers are meant to minimise ‘dive’ under breaking. But on the other hand the 20” wheels will bring a harsher ride. As you’re going for a Premium Plus make sure the dealer doesn’t give you a Takumi demo. 
I was initially surprised how harsh the ride was and then read on here that Lexus vastly over inflate the tyres at the factory for the long sea crossing. I checked mine and they were well up - reduced them to just below recommended and a different car. I didn’t like the Dunlop summer tyres so had Cross Climate 2 put on, much quieter in my opinion. 

[Yorkshire Lexus]

Thanks guys, but the Lexus 24 hour Test Drive is proving very hard to get with my Dealer in Stockport, and Sheffield ….

im interested to know the Takumi 300 E I have. Has performance dampers.,that’s why it’s soo beautiful over bumps….has the R Z Takumi model got the same performance dampers ..?

[wivenhoe]

Yes - I forgot about the 300e so when I said different models I meant different spec 450e’s not 300e vs 450e. 

[ArneT]

13 hours ago, wivenhoe said:

I think the models are different. The Takumi is the only model to have  ‘performance dampers’ - I would definitely suggest a long test drive. All EV’s are much heavier than petrol equivalents and the performance dampers are meant to minimise ‘dive’ under breaking. But on the other hand the 20” wheels will bring a harsher ride. As you’re going for a Premium Plus make sure the dealer doesn’t give you a Takumi demo. 
I was initially surprised how harsh the ride was and then read on here that Lexus vastly over inflate the tyres at the factory for the long sea crossing. I checked mine and they were well up - reduced them to just below recommended and a different car. I didn’t like the Dunlop summer tyres so had Cross Climate 2 put on, much quieter in my opinion. 

18" wheels are now available as an option on all trim levels, I think this provides a smoother ride and better range, but it can adversely affect other factors including cornering / stability and stopping distance so it depends what your preference is (plus how good the suspension is in the vehicle). For example: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/are-bigger-wheels-really-ruining-ride-quality and https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-difference-does-the-wheel-size-make 

When on a test drive last week of an RZ 450e Premium Plus (4WD), we found the ride to be good, better than my 2016 NX 300h (18" wheels) 4WD and almost as smooth as our 2021 UX 300e (17" wheels) Front wheel drive. Handling most manhole covers, speed bumps and potholes well. My SO and I took it in turns to sit in the back to look after our baby and both had the same opinion of the ride quality. 

 

[ColinBarber]

13 hours ago, wivenhoe said:

All EV’s are much heavier than petrol equivalents and the performance dampers are meant to minimise ‘dive’ under breaking.

That's not always the case. RZ is about the same as the RX (slightly less compared to 500h or 450h+).

The UXe is 15% heavier than UX hybrid - heavier, but I'm not sure I'd say 'much heavier'.

[NemesisUK]

Generally speaking heavier cars ride better than lightweights. The greater mass is harder to deflect and so the movement is in the suspension, not the body. Obviously the damper can make a massive difference but it's easier to make a big, heavy car ride more smoothly. I say, ride not handle, the two things tend to be at odds. 

What people tend to notice more is the thump and bang as shallow sidewall tyres encounter road imperfections.

[Chris UXe]

Hi All, if I was looking at an RZ, I'd definitely try and get a 300e with 18" wheels. Auto Express really liked it:

New Lexus RZ 300e 2024 review: range boost makes EV more appealing | Auto Express

I saw a white one in my local Lexus centre the other day and it looked good.

Re: the UXe Takumi, having had the original Takumi, I think the ride on the long range one is even better, especially at lower speeds.

[Yorkshire Lexus]

UPDATE : I’m trying the RZ 450E premium plus for 24 hours, so I’ll report back on the what I think about the ride quality.

im def not buying the RZ 450E Takumi , as the cost is way too much on lease…

Maybe a NX 450 H Plug in hybrid Premium would suit me, but people & reviews  say the ride quality is hard ?

 

[thegadgetman_uk]

On 10/30/2024 at 10:11 AM, ArneT said:

18" wheels are now available as an option on all trim levels, I think this provides a smoother ride and better range, but it can adversely affect other factors including cornering / stability and stopping distance so it depends what your preference is (plus how good the suspension is in the vehicle). For example: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/features/are-bigger-wheels-really-ruining-ride-quality and https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/what-difference-does-the-wheel-size-make 

When on a test drive last week of an RZ 450e Premium Plus (4WD), we found the ride to be good, better than my 2016 NX 300h (18" wheels) 4WD and almost as smooth as our 2021 UX 300e (17" wheels) Front wheel drive. Handling most manhole covers, speed bumps and potholes well. My SO and I took it in turns to sit in the back to look after our baby and both had the same opinion of the ride quality. 

 

@ArneT, annoyingly it looks like 18" wheels are only available on premium and premium plus according to the website and confirmed by a dealer... 😒
"Across the wider model range, customers can now specify 18-inch wheels, to help maximise their RZ’s driving range, on both Premium and Premium Plus versions."

The 2024 all-electric Lexus RZ luxury SUV: new versions, new grades and an enriched Lexus EV ownership experience - Lexus Media Site

[Yorkshire Lexus]

Hi all, enjoyed my 24 hour test drive in the Takumi 450

said 2.4 kw  average , seems crap, mt UXE says 3.2

very impressed with car if I’m honest, one thing I thought  was poor where the brakes,they realy did not inspire confidence .

think I’m going to order the RX 450 Premium Plus model, Sonic Copper, with Tamara Leather Hazel…

[wivenhoe]

Glad you liked it. You must have driven quite hard or a lot of motorways at 70+ to achieve 2.4 in relatively mild weather - I always ‘push along’ and achieve a lot better. 2.4 is a total range of about 160 which after the upgrade does seem very low.  Was that the cumulative average or at the end of one of yours trips ?

Even driving ‘sportily’ I have always found the brakes reassuring - a bit too much if the regen is set on 4. Had the demo had a bit of a hard life, although the brakes should cope with that. 
 

[Yorkshire Lexus]

Hi yes, think the demo must have been thrashed a bit…this 2.4 kw was the average since new.