Lexus RZ Premium or RZ Luxury: which trim fits Orange County drivers?
Drivers who put the lower price first fit the RZ Premium, and drivers who want the added equipment Lexus lists on the Luxury fit the RZ Luxury. Tustin Lexus sells the all-electric RZ in central Orange County. Both are 2026 RZ models, so the choice comes down to price against added equipment.
Keep reading below, then schedule a test drive in Tustin. Bringing your own numbers to the lot settles this faster than any spec sheet.
Choose the RZ Premium for price, the RZ Luxury for cabin upgrades
Choose the RZ Premium if price comes first. The RZ 350e Premium starts at $49,595, and the RZ 450e Premium AWD starts at $53,095. Choose the RZ Luxury if you want the added equipment Lexus lists on that trim, which starts at $58,395 as the RZ 450e Luxury AWD.
If $50,000 is your ceiling, the RZ 350e Premium fits and the two AWD trims do not. Lexus offers the Luxury only with the 450e AWD powertrain, so choosing the Luxury also means choosing all-wheel drive.
How much do the Lexus RZ Premium and RZ Luxury cost?
The RZ Premium starts at $49,595 with the 350e and at $53,095 with the 450e AWD. The RZ Luxury starts at $58,395 with the 450e AWD. These are Lexus’s published starting MSRPs for the 2026 model year.
The Luxury and the Premium AWD share the 450e AWD powertrain. Both list 308 hp and five seats, so the published specifications match on power and seating. The price difference between them is what the Luxury’s added equipment costs.
What is the EPA range of the RZ Premium and RZ Luxury?
The EPA certifies 301 miles of electric range for the RZ 350e on 18-inch wheels, the front-wheel-drive version that the Premium comes in. The RZ 450e AWD certifies 264 miles on 18-inch wheels, the powertrain behind both the Premium AWD and the Luxury. These are certified figures for the 2026 model year.
On 20-inch wheels, the same two powertrains certify 284 miles and 257 miles. The 350e certifies more range than the 450e AWD on either wheel size.
Range matters most on long drives. Orange County residents who commute average 26.7 minutes one way (CommuteShift, 2024). A driver with a short commute can choose between the trims on price and equipment. A driver who runs longer daily distances should weigh the 350e’s larger certified range.
How do the RZ Premium trims differ in power and drive?
The RZ Premium seats five. It comes as the 350e Premium with 221 hp and as the 450e Premium AWD with 308 hp. Lexus’s published specifications list five seats for every RZ trim, so seating does not separate the Premium from the Luxury.
Read the Premium’s equipment list before you sign, and compare it line by line with the Luxury’s list. That comparison shows which equipment you get at each price.
How does the RZ Luxury compare with the Premium on price and power?
The RZ Luxury is the 450e Luxury AWD at $58,395, with 308 hp and five seats. Its powertrain and seating match the 450e Premium AWD, which starts at $53,095. The price gap between those two trims is what the Luxury’s added equipment costs.
To see exactly which items the Luxury adds, read its equipment list next to the Premium’s when you visit 45 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782.
What do you get for the price in the RZ Premium and RZ Luxury?
The RZ 350e Premium has the lowest starting price of the Premium and Luxury trims, at $49,595 with 221 hp. The RZ 450e Luxury AWD starts at $58,395 with 308 hp and five seats.
| Trim | Starting MSRP (USD, Lexus 2026) | Horsepower (hp) | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| RZ 350e Premium | $49,595 | 221 | 5 |
| RZ 450e Premium AWD | $53,095 | 308 | 5 |
| RZ 450e Luxury AWD | $58,395 | 308 | 5 |
A buyer who wants more power than the 350e offers gets the same 308 hp on either AWD trim. That leaves price and equipment as the choice between those two.
Who should skip the RZ Luxury, and who should skip the Premium?
Skip the RZ Luxury if your budget stops below $58,395. That is its starting price, higher than either Premium trim.
Skip the Premium if you need the added equipment the Luxury lists. A buyer who wants that equipment should step up to the Luxury rather than settle for a lower trim.
If all-wheel drive is a requirement, skip the 350e, which is front-wheel drive. The 450e Premium AWD is the entry point for all-wheel drive among the Premium trims, starting at $53,095.
FAQ
What warranty covers the Lexus RZ Premium and RZ Luxury?
Lexus’s 2026 RZ warranty applies across the whole RZ line, so the Premium and the Luxury carry the same coverage. Basic coverage lasts 48 months or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first, and corrosion coverage lasts 72 months regardless of mileage.
What does California charge to register an electric vehicle like the RZ?
California charges a Road Improvement Fee on battery electric vehicles of model year 2020 or newer. For 2026 that fee is $121, and it is adjusted each year for inflation (California Air Resources Board, 2026). Both the Premium and the Luxury are battery electric, so the fee applies to either trim.
Which federal or California incentives apply to a new Lexus RZ?
No federal credit applies to a new RZ bought today. The New Clean Vehicle Credit is not available for vehicles acquired after Sept. 30, 2025 (Internal Revenue Service, 2026). The starting prices for the RZ therefore carry no federal credit.
What is the difference between the RZ 350e and the RZ 450e?
The RZ 350e is front-wheel drive with 221 hp, and the RZ 450e is all-wheel drive with 308 hp. The Premium comes in both, as the 350e Premium and the 450e Premium AWD. The Luxury comes only as the 450e Luxury AWD.
How do I apply for RZ financing at Tustin Lexus?
Start with our secure online finance application. It is an application, not a pre-approval. We also offer new Lexus financing and Lexus leases, so you can compare a loan and a lease on an RZ.
Where can I see RZ lease and finance offers at Tustin Lexus?
We offer Lexus leases and new Lexus financing at 45 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782. Bring the Premium or Luxury you are weighing when you visit, and ask about the lease and finance terms on that trim.
Why Orange County drivers buy their RZ at Tustin Lexus
Tustin Lexus sells new RZ models at 45 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782. Our Google record, as of October 2026, is 4.6 stars across 3,465 reviews, and 87 in 100 of them are five-star (Google, 2026).
In an August 2026 5-star Google review, Duy N. wrote: “Great experience from start to finish. Alissa was incredibly knowledgeable, helpful, and easy to work with throughout the entire process. She answered all our questions, explained everything clearly, and made the experience stress-free. The whole process was smooth and efficient — no pressure, no hassle. Highly recommend asking for Alissa if you’re shopping here!”
Our sales hours run Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, and Sunday, 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Our technicians are Lexus factory-trained and certified. We accept trade-ins and have an online appraisal tool, so you can start there before you visit.
Visit Tustin Lexus at 45 Auto Center Drive, Tustin, CA 92782, and bring the trim you are weighing.
Tustin Lexus answers this question against the specific vehicle in front of you rather than the model in general. Value your trade and get pre-approved online, then see us at our Tustin showroom, or call (714) 368-3200.
Disclaimer: Vehicle features, specifications, pricing, options, and availability may vary based on production timelines and dealership inventory; images are for illustrative purposes only. Starting MSRP figures are national and exclude destination freight charges, tax, title, license, and dealer fees. Standard and available equipment varies by trim, configuration, and model year; confirm the specification of the individual vehicle before purchase. Maximum towing and payload ratings depend on cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment configuration; see the vehicle’s Owner’s Manual and trailering guide for limits. Electric range and charging times vary with battery, configuration, temperature, terrain, load, and driving habits. Safety or driver assistance features are no substitute for the driver’s responsibility to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. Financing and pre-approval are subject to credit approval. Contact Tustin Lexus for complete details regarding current vehicle inventory, pricing, and equipment.