Lexus RZ vs Volkswagen Touareg
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 22 Oct 2026, price 2 Jul 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
$84,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$86,790RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Track the Lexus RZ & Volkswagen Touareg
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Price Breakdown
The Lexus RZ starts from $84,500 before on-road costs, while the Volkswagen Touareg opens at $86,790. That makes the Lexus RZ the more affordable entry point by $2,290.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $92,950 and $95,469 respectively.
The Lexus RZ currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which can dramatically reduce the effective cost for novated lease buyers. The Volkswagen Touareg does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Recalls on our record
Lexus RZ
- REC-006640 · published 26 Jun 2026Due to a software issue with the high-voltage battery Electronic Control Unit, the electric drive system may shut down.Year range on the notice: 2025 - 2026
- REC-006427 · published 10 Sep 2025Due to a software programming issue, the Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) electrical compressor may fail.Year range on the notice: 2023
Volkswagen Touareg
- REC-006525 · published 8 Jan 2026Due to a manufacturing issue, the cell modules installed in the high voltage battery may be defective and overheat during charging.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2024
- REC-004990 · published 4 Nov 2021If the tailgate is opened and manually pushed up too far the pre-compressed coil springs may become detached from the boot strut and detach with great force from the mounting.Year range on the notice: 2019
- REC-001677 · published 23 Jul 2021Some nuts fitted to the rear axle assembly did not meet manufacturing specifications and may break.Year range on the notice: 2021
- 3 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
74.7kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Lexus RZ features a 14-inch touchscreen paired with a 7-inch digital dash, while the Volkswagen Touareg gets a 15-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Lexus RZ stands out with heated front seats, V2L, Mark Levinson audio and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Volkswagen Touareg. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Lexus RZ gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Volkswagen Touareg offers leather.
Drivetrain
The Lexus RZ uses a Electric Motor producing 280kW and 538Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds.
The Volkswagen Touareg responds with a Diesel making 170kW and 500Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Lexus RZ has the clear power advantage at 280kW vs 170kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Lexus RZ is 3.4s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Lexus RZ measures 4,805mm long on a 2,850mm wheelbase, 84mm shorter than the Volkswagen Touareg at 4,889mm (2,894mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Volkswagen Touareg generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 522L in the Lexus RZ and 810L in the Volkswagen Touareg, giving the Volkswagen Touareg a 288L advantage.
For towing, the Volkswagen Touareg leads with a 3,500kg braked capacity vs 750kg. That 2,750kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.2m to 12.0m
Based on 11.2m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 12.0m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 5 years / 999,999km (Lexus RZ) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Volkswagen Touareg). Both match on warranty length.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Lexus RZ if: You want the lower entry price, prioritise performance, or prefer Lexus's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Volkswagen Touareg if: You need more boot space, need stronger towing, or prefer Volkswagen's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Lexus RZ: Top CarSorted Score, 74 vs 71
The Lexus RZ comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (74 vs 71), taking 4 of 6 key spec rows below and coming in at a lower price. The deciding gaps: practicality (Volkswagen Touareg ahead by 28), performance (Lexus RZ ahead by 20), safety (Lexus RZ ahead by 17). If boot space matters, the Volkswagen Touareg has a clear edge. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Lexus RZ and Volkswagen Touareg?
The Lexus RZ is the cheapest at $84,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Volkswagen Touareg by $2,290.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The Volkswagen Touareg uses the least fuel at 7.6L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Lexus RZ holds a 5-star ANCAP rating. We have no published ANCAP rating for Volkswagen Touareg, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the largest boot at 810L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Volkswagen Touareg has the highest braked towing capacity at 3,500kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lexus RZ makes the most power at 280kW. The Lexus RZ is quickest to 100km/h in 4.6s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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