Jennifer Satterfield
Texas has never been about doing things halfway. Whether it’s boots, brisket, or battery electric vehicles, we like our everything to carry a certain weight, style, purpose, and presence. To be honest, I haven’t been impressed with most of the EVs that have been sent my way to test, so when Lexus sent over the new Lexus RZ 300e in a color called Ether, I wasn’t expecting much. But sometimes quiet things carry their own authority. This one certainly did.
Subtle Power, Refined Comfort
Under the hood… or rather, beneath the cabin floor, sits a 72.8 kWh battery feeding a front-mounted electric motor that delivers 201 horsepower and 196 lb-ft of torque. No, it won’t pin you back in your seat like a dual-motor super-EV. But that’s not the RZ’s job. This crossover is about gliding down the highway. It goes from stoplight to highway with elegance, not aggression.
While you won’t be impressed with its speed or handling, you will be pleasantly surprised by its manners. Driving through the Hill Country, I barely noticed the miles slipping by. Lexus engineered this car for serenity: almost no road noise, supple suspension, and a sense of calm that’s harder to find today.
The range is respectable. With its smaller 18-inch wheels, the RZ offers an EPA-estimated 266 miles. Ours had the larger 20-inch wheels, which dropped range to about 224, but it still delivered enough confidence for day trips to Round Top, Brenham, and back.
Inside: A Modern Sanctuary
The interior of the RZ 300e feels more like a boutique hotel suite than a high-tech gadget. Think matte textures, real stitching, and simple lines. Lexus took a minimalist approach that doesn’t scream for your attention but rewards those who look closely. The steering wheel, buttons, and touchpoints feel thoughtfully placed. The ambient lighting and perforated materials are all subtle indicators that someone cared.
It’s also quiet. Remarkably so. On the open road, the cabin is nearly silent. Even in traffic, you’re insulated from the chaos outside. It’s the kind of ride that makes you roll the windows up just to enjoy the peace.
There are trade-offs, of course. The infotainment system, while much improved, still lags behind some rivals in ease of use. And while the cargo area is fine, the absence of a frunk is a bit of a miss in an otherwise well-thought-out electric package. Lexus also opted for a unique under-console storage space and skipped the traditional glovebox altogether, something buyers will either find clever or mildly frustrating.
Driving Texas Backroads in Ether-Toned Style
Over the course of a week, I took the RZ across varied terrain. City streets, suburban errands, open farm to marker roads. It never felt out of place. You get the sense that this vehicle was designed to serve the everyday driver, the parent dropping off at school, the executive running late to lunch, the couple sneaking away for a Hill Country winery weekend. It is an excellent appliance in that sense; the RX 300e will not inspire or exhilarate, but it just exists in the background of whatever it is you are doing.
Even as EVs become more common in Texas, there’s still a question of presence. Trucks rule the road here, and yet this low-slung, gracefully styled crossover never felt lost in the mix. In fact, more than a few heads turned to glance at the Ether paint shimmering in the sun when we pulled into the parking lot, but that could be just because we were the only EV pulling it, and the RZ 300e does have a futuristic look.
Should you buy an RZ 300e?
At just over $45,000 as tested, the Lexus RZ 300e makes a strong argument for electric luxury that doesn’t require theatrics. It’s smooth, quiet, handsome, and practical, more than enough for Texas-sized daily life. No gimmicks, no wild promises of autonomous wonder. Just a refined electric vehicle that understands the assignment.
If you’re looking for a new kind of calm on your daily drive, one where the machine fades into the background and lets you enjoy the view, this might be the most Lexus thing Lexus has done in years. And that’s saying something.
