The many journeys that we have already shared have all been a breeze. It really is a car made for relaxed travelling, and I’ve started to pick up on the many things that Lexus has done to make that so.
This includes the quietest windscreen washer motor you’ve ever heard (honestly, it’s creepily muted) and windows that drop without a hint of noise. They really are luxury levels of detail, even beyond what you would expect from a £74k car – something I didn’t think I’d say.
Its deep seats add another level of plushness that I’ve not experienced in something costing less than £100k. The £135k Range Rover P440e Autobiography, another on our long-term fleet, comes to mind. These seats also have internal fans to keep your back sweat-free – a pleasant addition on a summer’s day.
Speaking of the Range Rover, the RZ’s 14in infotainment touchscreen also wouldn’t look out of place in a car of that quality, although it’s not as slick as the best of them. It’s not bad by any means, just not as user-friendly as it could be. I find myself always switching to Android Auto now, especially for navigation.
What is great, though, is how the RZ is to drive, which again adds to its ‘get you there relaxed’ mantra. It rides quietly and in supple fashion and has a pleasing heft to its steering that speaks of plenty of dynamic fine-tuning, which Lexus is known for.
In tight spaces, such as car parks, it behaves like a much smaller car, having a fantastic turning circle, thanks to its four-wheel steering.
For those looking at this car now, from late 2024 the RZ will also be available with Lexus’s steer-by-wire system, One Motion Grip, complete with a yoke in place of a steering wheel. No, this isn’t a gimmick: as we said in our first review of the RZ, it’s actually quite good and very precise, so much so that you can complete a full lock in just 150deg.
Anyway, back to our car, and with all good things, there are, however, some drawbacks. As I mentioned in my first report, the overly sensitive active safety systems are a bit of an annoyance.