I drove the new Lexus RZ – it has a groundbreaking steering wheel and sleek design… but is it any good?

THERE IS only one place to start this review and that is: LOOK AT THAT STEERING WHEEL!!!

Stunned.

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Lexus has designed a butterfly-shaped half wheel that you never turn more than 150 degrees (less than half a full turn).

So you never have to cross your arms or take your hands off.

But is it good? Yes. It’s brilliant.

It’s called One Motion Grip – OMG – and it’s a total game changer, unlike Tesla’s stab at something similar.

The “yoke” has no physical connection to the front wheels.

Instead, it’s a digital steer-by-wire system that determines how much steering input to give based on the speed you’re driving.

You feel like you are in a driving sim game but you get the hang of it very quickly.

Unfortunately, OMG will not be available on the electric Lexus RZ until 2025, so until then we have to make do with a boring old round steering wheel.

The RZ is Lexus’ first all-electric car and sits in between mid-sized cars NX and bigger RX hybrids.

It is based on the same platform as the Toyota bZ4X and the Subaru Solterra but is fancier and more expensive than both.

It shares the same 71 kWh battery as its budget friends, but only comes as an all-wheel drive with a more powerful 310 horsepower.

It can travel 252 to 272 miles, depending on the specs and size of the wheels.

Starting at £62,000 for the Premium Pack trim, it goes up to £66,000 for the mid-range Premium Plus Pack and up to £72,000 for the top Takumi trim with a punchy two-tone paint job.

Other optional party tricks include a dimmable panoramic roof that switches from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button, and infrared “radiant” lap heaters that make you feel like you have a cozy blanket over your legs, while covering a tenth of the roof. used. less energy than a conventional car air heater.

The RZ isn’t a rocket ship, but the thick and roomy, low-slung SUV hurtles along quickly enough, with what the folks at Lexus like to call a “sporty temperament.”

Four driving modes are available, including a new ultra-eco “range” option.

It’s undeniably luxurious, comfortable, quiet and roomy, yet sleek, but the Lexus RZ isn’t the only one with these desirable features. . . and some alternatives offer them for less.

In short, Lexus’ first thoroughbred EV does have the premium charm factor, but it’s the OMG butterfly steering wheel that gives it the USP over its rivals.

Too bad we have to wait another two years for it.

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