Compare the2024 Lexus RZVS 2023 Chevrolet Bolt

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RZ have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Chevrolet Bolt doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RZ are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Chevrolet Bolt doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

The RZ has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Bolt doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The RZ has a standard Parking Support Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a collision. The Bolt doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The RZ 450e has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Bolt doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The RZ has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Bolt’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RZ has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Parking Support Brake automatically engages the brakes to help avoid a collision. Chevrolet charges extra for Rear Cross Traffic Alert on the Bolt and the Bolt’s Rear Cross Traffic Alert does not include automatic braking.

The RZ’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Bolt doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the RZ and the Bolt have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front wheel drive, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems and rearview cameras.

The Lexus RZ weighs 653 to 1022 pounds more than the Chevrolet Bolt. The NHTSA advises that heavier vehicles are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

The Lexus RZ achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Bolt has not yet been fully evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

Warranty

The RZ comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Bolt’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Chevrolet covers the Bolt. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Bolt ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RZ’s 6 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the Bolt runs out after 100,000 miles.

Reliability

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 RZ’s reliability 33 points higher than the Bolt.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in long-term dependability. With 33 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Chevrolet is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Chevrolet vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Chevrolet is ranked 20th.

Engine

The RZ 450e’s optional electric motors produces 108 more horsepower (308 vs. 200) and 55 lbs.-ft. more torque (321 vs. 266) than the Bolt’s electric motor.

As tested in Car and Driver the RZ 450e electric motors is faster than the Chevrolet Bolt:

	RZ	Bolt
Zero to 60 MPH	4.6 sec	6.7 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	5.7 sec	6.7 sec
Quarter Mile	13.5 sec	15.2 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	99 MPH	92 MPH
Top Speed	103 MPH	93 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The RZ 300e w/18" Wheels FWD can travel longer on a full charge than the Bolt (266 miles vs. 259 miles).

The RZ has a standard locking charge port which locks and unlocks with the power locks. The Bolt doesn’t have a locking charge port. A locking charge port prevents tampering and damage.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	RZ	Bolt
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	10.9 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	10.4 inches

The RZ’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Bolt are solid, not vented.

The RZ stops much shorter than the Bolt:

	RZ	Bolt
70 to 0 MPH	171 feet	191 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	116 feet	132 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RZ has larger tires than the Bolt (F:235/60R18 & R:255/55R18 vs. 215/50R17).

The RZ’s optional 255/45R20 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Bolt’s 50 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RZ has standard 18-inch wheels. Only 17-inch wheels are available on the Bolt. The RZ offers optional 20-inch wheels.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Lexus RZ has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Chevrolet Bolt has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The RZ has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The RZ has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the RZ flat and controlled during cornering. The Bolt’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RZ’s wheelbase is 9.8 inches longer than on the Bolt (112.2 inches vs. 102.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RZ is 4.3 inches wider in the front and 4.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Bolt.

The RZ 450e Premium handles at .83 G’s, while the Bolt LT pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RZ 450e Luxury executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.9 seconds quicker than the Bolt (25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 27.8 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a 2.5 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Bolt (7.9 vs. 5.4 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

Chassis

The design of the Lexus RZ amounts to more than styling. The RZ has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is lower than the Bolt (.31) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RZ get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the RZ uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The Bolt doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

Passenger Space

The RZ has 3.4 inches more front hip room, 2.2 inches more front shoulder room, .8 inches more rear headroom, 1.5 inches more rear legroom, 1.2 inches more rear hip room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Bolt.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RZ’s rear seats recline. The Bolt’s rear seats don’t recline.

Cargo Capacity

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the Bolt with its rear seat up (34.9 vs. 16.6 cubic feet).

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier when your hands are full, the RZ’s power liftgate can be opened or closed just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, leaving your hands completely free. The Bolt doesn’t offer a power or hands-free opening liftgate.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Chevrolet. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 45% lower rating, Chevrolet is ranked 16th.

Ergonomics

When three different drivers share the RZ, the memory system makes it convenient for all three. Each setting activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, steering wheel position and outside mirror angle. The Bolt doesn’t offer a memory system.

The RZ’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Bolt doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RZ offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Bolt doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The RZ’s front and rear power windows all open or close with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside of the car. The Bolt’s passenger windows don’t close automatically.

On a hot day the RZ’s driver can lower all the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Lexus service department.) The driver of the Bolt can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The RZ’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Bolt’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RZ offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Bolt doesn’t offer headlight washers.

When the RZ is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Bolt’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RZ’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Bolt offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RZ has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats cost extra on the Bolt. The RZ Luxury also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Bolt.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RZ keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The Bolt doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the Bolt.

The RZ’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Bolt doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.

Both the RZ and the Bolt offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the RZ has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Bolt doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RZ has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the Bolt.

The RZ has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Bolt doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The Bolt doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Chevrolet Bolt isn't recommended.

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