Both the bZ4X 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, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, 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.
Compare the2024 Toyota bZ4XVS 2024 Lexus RZ
Safety
Warranty
Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the bZ4X for 1 year and 15000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RZ (2/25000 vs. 1/10,000).
There are over 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the bZ4X’s warranty.
Reliability
J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lexus is rated lower.
Engine
The bZ4X’s optional electric motors produces 13 more horsepower (214 vs. 201) and 52 lbs.-ft. more torque (248 vs. 196) than the RZ 300e’s standard electric motor.
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the bZ4X gets better mileage than the RZ:
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MPGe |
bZ4X |
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FWD |
XLE Electric Motor |
131 city/107 hwy |
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Limited Electric Motor |
121 city/102 hwy |
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AWD |
XLE Electric Motors |
114 city/94 hwy |
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Limited Electric Motors |
112 city/92 hwy |
RZ |
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FWD |
300e w/18" Wheels Electric Motor |
112 city/125 hwy |
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300e w/20" Wheels Electric Motor |
96 city/105 hwy |
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AWD |
450e w/20" Wheels Electric Motors |
102 city/87 hwy |
The bZ4X can travel longer on a full charge than the RZ on a full charge:
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Miles |
bZ4X |
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FWD |
XLE Electric Motor |
252 miles |
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Limited Electric Motor |
236 miles |
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AWD |
XLE Electric Motors |
228 miles |
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Limited Electric Motors |
222 miles |
RZ |
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FWD |
300e w/20" Wheels Electric Motor |
224 miles |
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AWD |
450e w/18" Wheels Electric Motors |
220 miles |
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450e w/20" Wheels Electric Motors |
196 miles |
Suspension and Handling
For greater off-road capability the bZ4X has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RZ (8.1 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the bZ4X to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.
Chassis
The bZ4X is 4.6 inches shorter than the RZ, making the bZ4X easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
Passenger Space
The bZ4X has .9 inches more front shoulder room and 1.7 inches more rear shoulder room than the RZ.
Cargo Capacity
A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the bZ4X easier. The bZ4X’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the RZ’s liftover is 29.8 inches.
Ergonomics
The power windows standard on both the bZ4X and the RZ have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the bZ4X 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.
If the windows are left open on the bZ4X the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the RZ can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The bZ4X’s available headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the RZ’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”
Recommendations
The Toyota bZ4X outsold the Lexus RZ by 73% during 2023.