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Lexus teases Toyota BZ4X-based RZ EV

The RZ EV is expected to arrive in 2022.

Lexus RZ Teaser
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Lexus RZ Teaser

This is a familiar shape indeed.

Lexus

released a trio of teaser images on Thursday showing its forthcoming RZ electric crossover. And while the company won't confirm for sure, we have every reason to believe the RZ will share its architecture with the Toyota BZ4X EV, which also pulls double duty as the new Subaru Solterra.

As you can see, the RZ's profile is extremely similar to the BZ4X, just with a lot more body surfacing. The front looks to have Lexus' typical angular design (but hey, no massive spindle grille required), and the rear has slim taillights and a little ducktail spoiler across the hatch.

The RZ crossover is essentially the production version of the LF-Z concept Lexus showed earlier this year. At the time, we were told the road-going EV would launch before 2025, but Lexus later confirmed the production car would arrive in 2022. Given the fact that the BZ4X is already out, it makes sense that the Lexus version isn't too far behind.

RZ powertrain details are still TBD, but for reference, the BZ4X uses either a 71.4- or 72.8-kilowatt-hour battery pack, depending on driveline configuration (front-wheel versus all-wheel drive). Toyota estimates a 250-mile range for the front-wheel drive BZ4X; all-wheel-drive versions should do a bit worse.

Look for the Lexus RZ to debut early next year.

Lexus RZ is the brand's next EV

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Watch this: 2023 Toyota BZ4X: Toyota's future starts now
Steven Ewing Former managing editor
Steven Ewing spent his childhood reading car magazines, making his career as an automotive journalist an absolute dream job. After getting his foot in the door at Automobile while he was still a teenager, Ewing found homes on the mastheads at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog and Motor1.com before joining the CNET team in 2018. He has also served on the World Car Awards jury. Ewing grew up ingrained in the car culture of Detroit -- the Motor City -- before eventually moving to Los Angeles. In his free time, Ewing loves to cook, binge trash TV and play the drums.
Steven Ewing
Steven Ewing spent his childhood reading car magazines, making his career as an automotive journalist an absolute dream job. After getting his foot in the door at Automobile while he was still a teenager, Ewing found homes on the mastheads at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog and Motor1.com before joining the CNET team in 2018. He has also served on the World Car Awards jury. Ewing grew up ingrained in the car culture of Detroit -- the Motor City -- before eventually moving to Los Angeles. In his free time, Ewing loves to cook, binge trash TV and play the drums.

Article updated on December 2, 2021 at 11:43 AM PST

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Steven Ewing Former managing editor
Steven Ewing spent his childhood reading car magazines, making his career as an automotive journalist an absolute dream job. After getting his foot in the door at Automobile while he was still a teenager, Ewing found homes on the mastheads at Winding Road magazine, Autoblog and Motor1.com before joining the CNET team in 2018. He has also served on the World Car Awards jury. Ewing grew up ingrained in the car culture of Detroit -- the Motor City -- before eventually moving to Los Angeles. In his free time, Ewing loves to cook, binge trash TV and play the drums.
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