Lexus begins transformation to EVs

Japanese luxury brand Lexus will eventually become Toyota Motor North America's full-electric brand, beginning early next year with the introduction of the RZ. But the transition from now to the company's 2035 target date may start slowly.

According to Toyota Motor Corp. CEO Akio Toyoda, Lexus will have a battery-electric vehicle in each of its segments by 2030 and will go full-electric — selling only BEVs — by 2035. That means that its current internal combustion engine and hybrid products will have only one, or perhaps two, full product cycles left before they switch powertrains or are replaced by similar battery-electric models.

Toyoda showed several Lexus-badged electric vehicles at a December event in Japan. But which of them will end up on sale in the U.S., and when, remains unclear.

RZ: The RZ electric compact crossover is powered by a dual-motor powertrain that pairs two new e-axles developed by Toyota Group supplier Aisin Corp. — a 150-kilowatt motor in the front and an 80-kW counterpart in the back, resulting in output of 230 kW, or 308 hp. It will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the first half of 2023.

Second BEV: Lexus will bring a second EV to the U.S. in 2025, but whether it will be a three-row crossover, similar to the RX, or a more efficient sports sedan, similar to the IS, is unknown. The Lexus Electrified Sedan concept shown in December might be the more logical bet, given that the RX is the brand's bestseller and is freshly redesigned with a hybridized powertrain, and a three-row crossover might undercut the new TX, while the IS is long in the tooth. But never bet against Lexus' ability to make money — which means it will probably be the three-row crossover.

Third BEV: The third Lexus EV, due in 2026, could be a stunning LFA-inspired sports sedan that would have a 0-to-60 time in the low two-second range and be a halo vehicle. However, the brand says the sedan's estimated 400-plus-mile battery range would rely on the "possible use of solid-state batteries" — and that technology is still an engineering puzzle yet to be solved.

LX: Fresh off its redesign this year, the LX large SUV will be due for a midcycle freshen in 2026.

GX: Expect the next three-row midsize body-on-frame SUV to be larger and more luxurious when it is redesigned onto the luxury GA-F body-on-frame platform in 2024. It will also receive the Lexus Interactive infotainment system and new driver-assistance and safety technology.

TX: Lexus plans a larger, roomier three-row crossover above the top-selling RX in the second half of 2023 that will give it a rival to Infiniti's QX60, Cadillac's XT6 and BMW's X7. The TX, to be assembled in Indiana alongside the new Toyota Grand Highlander, will feature a Level 2 automated driving-assistance feature called Lexus Teammate that "will allow for hands-free driving in certain conditions," according to the company. It will also have a remote parking system allowing the driver to park and un-park from outside the vehicle using a smartphone, and a digital key that turns a user's smartphone into their key and allows them to share it digitally.

RX: When it arrives this year, the RX's fifth-generation overhaul will repackage the nameplate on a new platform with new drivetrains that Lexus says will make the midsize crossover more fun to drive. The redesign will incorporate the Lexus Interactive infotainment system as well as advanced driver-assistance and technology upgrades.

NX: The compact crossover will be due for a midcycle freshening in 2025 after being redesigned last year.
UX: The compact crossover will receive a midcycle freshen in 2023, when it will go exclusively hybrid. It will also receive the Lexus Interactive infotainment system as well as driver-assistance and safety upgrades.

LS: The large sedan was freshened this year with optional Lexus Teammate. Its next freshening won't be until 2025, though the brand will transition its flagship sedan to the Lexus Interactive infotainment system and new driver-assistance and safety technology before then.

ES: The seventh generation of the midsize sedan went on sale in 2018 and will receive minor tweaks until a full redesign in 2025, when it will transition to the Lexus Interactive infotainment system and new driver-assistance and safety technology.

IS: The IS was reengineered instead of redesigned in 2020, in part to save money in the declining compact car segment. The IS might be replaced in 2025 by the Lexus Electrified Sedan BEV instead of being freshened in 2024.

LC: The luxury coupe and convertible will receive a midcycle freshening in 2025, when it will receive the Lexus Interactive infotainment system and new driver-assistance and safety technology.

RC: The low-volume performance coupe will be due for a midcycle freshen in 2024. It also will add the new infotainment system and new driver-assistance and safety technology.