Compare the2026 Toyota bZVS 2026 Lexus RZ

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Toyota bZ achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Lexus RZ has not been tested.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the bZ has standard Rear Cross-Traffic Alert with Parking Support Brake, systems which detect vehicles approaching from the sides and can automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. Only the RZ Premium/Luxury/F Sport offers Parking Support Brake.

Both the bZ and the RZ have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota bZ is safer than the Lexus RZ:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota bZ is safer than the Lexus RZ:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the bZ for 1 year and 15000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RZ (2/25000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the bZ’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2026 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Lexus is ranked third.

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota bZ electric motors is faster than the RZ 450e electric motors:

The bZ can travel longer on a full charge than the RZ on a full charge:

For greater off-road capability the bZ has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RZ (8.2 vs. 7.9 inches), allowing the bZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota bZ may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 200 to 250 pounds less than the Lexus RZ.

The bZ is 4.6 inches shorter than the RZ, making the bZ easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The bZ has .9 inches more front shoulder room and 1.5 inches more rear shoulder room than the RZ.

The bZ has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RZ with its rear seat folded (56.9 vs. 55.6 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the bZ easier. The bZ’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 27.9 inches, while the RZ’s liftover is 29.8 inches.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the bZ to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Lexus doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the RZ.

The power windows standard on both the bZ and the RZ have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the bZ is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The RZ prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

If the windows are left open on the bZ the driver can close all of them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the RZ can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Toyota bZ has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the RZ Premium/Luxury/F Sport.

The Toyota bZ stands out above the Lexus RZ by offering not one, but two Qi-compatible phone chargers. This convenience helps travelers with multiple devices to keep powered up on-the-go. Wireless charging eliminates lost or cluttered charging cables and one of them provide more flexibility.

The Toyota bZ outsold the Lexus RZ by over two to one during 2025.