It's hard to disguise the relationship between the Lexus RZ and Toyota bZ. Both ride on Toyota's e-TNGA electric vehicle platform, and some of the family resemblance is right there in the sheet metal. The difference is what each brand does with those bones. The Toyota is aimed at a broader audience, while the Lexus tries to deliver luxury, performance and a more distinctive driving experience. I recently drove the 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F SPORT AWD, the most powerful RZ in the lineup, and came away impressed by how much fun Lexus managed to squeeze out of it. There are compromises, though, and one of them is large enough to deserve its own charging stop.Chase BierenkovenPowertrain and performanceThe RZ 550e F SPORT uses two electric motors and Lexus' DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system to produce 402 horsepower. Lexus estimates 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds, which is pretty quick for a luxury crossover. Its battery has 76.96 kWh of capacity, and the EPA-estimated range is 229 miles with the standard 20-inch wheels. That last number is the problem. You get excellent punch around town, but plenty of competing EVs give you more breathing room when the trip stretches beyond town.The 2026 RZ also gets a standard NACS charging port and an 11-kW onboard AC charger. Lexus says a DC fast charger can take the battery from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes under ideal conditions. Access to more charging stations is welcome, but the shape of the plug alone doesn't make the car charge faster; the charger, battery conditions, and the vehicle's charging capability still determine how long you'll be sitting there. It is DC fast-charge rated at 150kW.Related: After A Week With The Land Rover Defender 110 OCTA, These Features Stayed With MeThen there's M Mode, Lexus' simulated eight-speed manual shifting system. You use paddles to click through imaginary gears while the car supplies simulated engine and exhaust sounds. Yes, an electric Lexus gets a little shifty. I laughed the first time I tried it, then found myself using it again. It isn't as gloriously unhinged as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N's version of this idea, and I'm sure some drivers will turn it off immediately. I found it entertaining once I stopped asking why an EV needed pretend gears and enjoyed the silliness.Chase BierenkovenExterior and interior designI think the updated RZ is handsome, and the F SPORT treatment gives it some needed swagger. The sharper details, 20-inch wheels, blue brake calipers, lower bumper accents and rear spoiler make this version look more athletic without turning it into a rolling costume. It still looks like a Lexus, which matters. When you're spending this kind of money, it helps if the vehicle announces itself as something more special than the Toyota parked next to it.Chase BierenkovenInside, the Ultrasuede-trimmed seats feel supportive and comfortable, although they lean more sporty than cushy. The cabin has the refinement I expect from Lexus, but I wouldn't call it the most lavish interior in this class. I'm also still not in love with the 14-inch touchscreen. Too many ordinary tasks require poking through menus when a few more physical controls would let me keep my eyes on the road. Perhaps I'm old-fashioned, but I don't want to conduct a small research project every time I adjust something while driving.Chase BierenkovenDriving the 2026 Lexus RZ 550e F SPORTThis is where the RZ makes its best argument. Acceleration is immediate, the steering is reassuring, and the F SPORT suspension tuning gives it a more eager feel than I expected. Lexus has made an EV that I wanted to drive for the fun of it, which is a compliment I don't hand out to every electric crossover. It isn't the most maneuverable vehicle I've driven lately; the Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 Electric, with its available rear-wheel steering, is remarkable in tight spaces. I also prefer the Audi Q6 e-tron's highway ride. Still, the Lexus holds its own on a twisty road and costs considerably less than some luxury EVs equipped to a similar level.Related: The 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLC 400e: It's Full of SurprisesThe virtual shifting remains the strangest part of the experience. Hearing a simulated engine climb through a simulated gear while an electric motor delivers very real acceleration is an uncanny combination. It made me giggle, and I mean that as praise. There's a time and place for quiet, seamless EV motoring, and the RZ does that too. Lexus simply gives you an extra toy to play with when the road and your mood permit.Chase BierenkovenFinal thoughtsThe RZ 550e F SPORT starts at $58,395 on Lexus' current listing, while my well-equipped tester came in around $65,000. That's compelling money for a quick, well-finished electric Lexus. Some of its rivals feel more luxurious or travel farther on a charge, but the RZ offers a lot of performance and character for the price. I'd be careful about claiming a bigger battery would necessarily spoil its handling; that trade-off depends on how Lexus engineers the whole vehicle. What I can say is that I'd happily give up a little of this car's impressive acceleration for more highway range.As it stands, the 2026 RZ 550e F SPORT is a fun, attractive, and surprisingly good-value luxury EV. If your driving is mostly local and you can charge at home, its 229-mile EPA rating may be easy to live with. If you routinely cross states, you'll need more patience than its 402 horsepower might suggest.It's an oddly quick car that asks you to slow down and plan.Related: Infiniti QX60 vs Infiniti QX65: Style vs Substance?