Compare the2023 Nissan AriyaVS 2023 Lexus RZ

The Ariya Platinum+ has a standard front seat center airbag, which deploys between the driver and front passenger, protecting them from injuries caused by striking each other in serious side impacts. The RZ doesn’t offer front seat center airbags.

Both the Ariya and the RZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

Nissan pays for scheduled maintenance on the Ariya for 2 years and 26000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RZ (3/36,000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 4 times as many Nissan dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ariya’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Ariya’s reliability 12 points higher than the RZ.

The Ariya’s optional electric motors produces 27 more horsepower (335 vs. 308) and 92 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 321) than the RZ’s electric motors. The Ariya Engage+/Evolve+/Platinum+’s standard electric motors produces 81 more horsepower (389 vs. 308) and 121 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 321) than the RZ’s electric motors.

On the EPA test cycle the Ariya gets better mileage than the RZ:

The Ariya can travel longer on a full charge than the RZ on a full charge:

For better stopping power the Ariya’s brake rotors are larger than those on the RZ:

The Ariya stops shorter than the RZ:

For better traction, the Ariya Platinum+’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the RZ (255/45R20 vs. 235/60R18).

The Ariya’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the RZ’s standard 60 series front tires. The Ariya Platinum+’s optional tires have a lower 45 series profile than the RZ’s optional 50 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ariya has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the RZ.

The Ariya has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The RZ doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Ariya Platinum+ handles at .86 G’s, while the RZ 450e Premium pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Ariya’s turning circle is 1.4 feet tighter than the RZ’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.8 feet).

The Nissan Ariya may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Lexus RZ.

The Ariya is 6.3 inches shorter than the RZ, making the Ariya easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Ariya Platinum+ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The RZ doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The Ariya has .2 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .7 inches more rear hip room and 1.6 inches more rear shoulder room than the RZ.

The Ariya’s cargo area is larger than the RZ’s in almost every dimension:

Maximum trailer towing in the Lexus RZ is limited to 0 pounds. The Ariya e-4ORCE AWD offers up to a 1500 lbs. towing capacity.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Ariya to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for tire rotation, based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Lexus doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the RZ.

Unlike the driver-only memory system in the RZ, the Ariya Platinum+ has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position (with optional power wheel adjuster) and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The power windows standard on both the Ariya and the RZ have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Ariya is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The RZ prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the Ariya has a standard rear wiper. The RZ doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

The Ariya is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The RZ doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Ariya and the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Ariya first among compact suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The RZ isn’t in the top three.