Can a major update make the RZ more tempting for user choosers? By Simon Harris.

What is it?: Large electric SUV  How much?: From £48,300. Economy: 3.8mpkWh (18-inch wheels, 4.3) Range: 316 miles (18-inch wheels, 353 miles)

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Lexus has long set the class-leading benchmark for automotive refinement, with its legacy internal combustion engines and later hybrid models offering unmatched mechanical serenity.

The brand’s primary challenge with its dedicated electric vehicle platform was porting that quiet DNA into a world without engine noise to mask other sounds. Fleet World reviewed the RZ range when it was first introduced to the UK market, but this provided our first opportunity to try the updated version. Tested here in front-wheel-drive RZ 350e guise, this large luxury SUV is an incredibly serene motorway cruiser, though a few ergonomic issues slightly mar an otherwise impressive premium contender.

On the road, the RZ 350e excels exactly where high-mileage drivers need it most. At rapid motorway speeds, the vehicle delivers exceptional refinement. Wind noise is virtually non-existent and tyre roar is heavily suppressed through clever use of acoustic glass and active sound cancellation. It isolates the driver from the outside world better than almost any rival in its class, vastly reducing fatigue on long-distance trips. The steering is smooth and the motorway ride is beautifully composed. However, fractured British urban environments expose a minor flaw. Over sharp low-speed bumps, sunken ironwork drains and deep potholes, the firm EV suspension can struggle, translating a noticeable, rather noisy thud directly into the cabin.

Inside, the cabin layout represents a philosophical split from its mainstream premium German rivals. While Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz consistently dazzle buyers with expansive digital real estate and sprawling panoramic dashboards, Lexus has opted for a strictly minimalist approach. The driver information display sitting directly behind the steering wheel is surprisingly small. Lexus expects you to rely heavily on the windscreen’s crisp head-up display instead, but tech-focused drivers may find this small instrument cluster a bit old-fashioned.

The central 14-inch touchscreen looks wonderfully crisp, but the user interface suffers from a frustrating lack of intuition. Shortcuts are not obvious and vital daily functions are buried deep within submenus. A prime example is the driver monitor alert. This safety system frequently chimes if you glance away from the road for a split second. Turning it off completely requires tapping through four separate menu layers, starting at settings, navigating to driving assist and scrolling to the bottom of driver support. As UK safety mandates dictate that this intrusive system resets every time the car starts up, drivers face a tedious menu ritual before starting every single journey. The touch-sensitive haptic pads on the steering wheel are less helpful, as they require looking at the display just to see what functions are selected.

Thanks to a strategic pricing realignment, this single-motor variant sits comfortably beneath the crucial £50,000 threshold, successfully avoiding the expensive car VED supplement. With greatly improved real-world driving range over the original launch models (especially on standard 18-inch wheels), it represents a strong choice. If you can forgive the fussy touchscreen ergonomics and occasional low-speed urban thud, the updated Lexus RZ 350e rewards with peerless long-distance comfort, making it a highly compelling, deeply refined alternative to the clinical premium mainstream.

In Brief:

Key fleet model: RZ 350e Premium Plus

For: Refinement; sub-£50k; improved range

Against: Firm low-speed ride; ergonomic issues

Seven-word summary: Refined luxury and comfort with frustrating quirks

Also consider: BMW iX3; Audi Q6 e-tron; Mercedes-Benz EQE