How The New Lexus Powertrains Are Redefining Transportation In An Electrified World

Vehicles represent freedom. They provide the freedom to reach your destination — the office, your friend’s house, a weekend getaway — on the route of your choice, listening to your favorite songs with the windows up or down. Since Lexus designs its vehicles for people first, its lineup also allows for drivers to have the freedom to choose how electric they want to be. Whether you are an early technology adopter, a spontaneous decision maker, or a long-haul road tripper, Lexus has an electrified vehicle that suits your needs. These kinds of innovations are vital to redefining what modern transportation looks like and to shaping a more sustainable future.

Lexus’s electrified powertrains — the RX hybrid (an HEV), the NX plug-in hybrid (a PHEV), and the RZ all-electric (a BEV) — all offer an impressive driving experience. Beyond exceptional performance, they also fully deliver on comfort and luxury, with details like a driver-focused Tazuna interior and ambient lighting with shadow illumination (available in the RZ). The three vehicle categories truly represent a range of options that can elevate any lifestyle.

Your destination may not always be known, but Lexus offers you the choice to be as electric as you want to be. Which one is right for you?

The RX Hybrid: Hybrids combine a self-charging electric powertrain and a gasoline engine for a drive that feels more familiar. The Lexus RX seamlessly marries the two for impressive fuel efficiency and instantaneous torque, all without requiring you to plug in to charge. This is the powertrain for someone who’s ready to begin their journey with an electrified vehicle — and who might not have easy access to charging stations.

The NX Plug-in Hybrid: This is the Lexus powertrain for the driver who wants the best of both worlds. In general, PHEVs travel on an electric battery and then switch to an internal combustion engine (ICE) if needed. For the Lexus NX Plug-in Hybrid, that means you get the benefits of all-electric driving for about 37 miles (perfect for daily commuting and shorter trips) with the peace of mind of a gas-powered engine for longer distances. If you appreciate alternative fuels, have access to local and at-home charging stations (but maybe don’t want to stop to plug in on a weekend getaway), and also want to push your car choice toward the future, then this could be your next step in electrification.

The RZ All-Electric: Are you ready to live in the battery-powered future? This fully electric vehicle delivers breathtaking acceleration, exhilarating all-wheel drive agility, and can be charged with a standard household GFCI outlet or a home-installed high-speed charger. If you consider yourself an early tech adopter who loves to be on the cutting edge of the latest innovations, get ready to plug in and drive.

No matter what your needs are today, Lexus’s electrified vehicles are built with the company's unparalleled and uncompromising commitment to comfort, safety, indulgence, and craftsmanship. This is the future built around you. How you get there is your choice.

All images: Courtesy of Lexus