Lexus RZ vs VW ID.7

The Lexus RZ costs £2,960 more than the VW ID.7. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The VW ID.7 is not just cheaper - it also offers 27 miles more WLTP range, 50 kW faster peak rapid charging and 45 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Lexus RZ comes out ahead overall.

The VW ID.7 is £2,960 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the VW ID.7 comes out roughly £2,960 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.

EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 294 miles for the Lexus RZ and 281 miles for the VW ID.7 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.

The VW ID.7 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 33 mm narrower than the Lexus RZ. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 538 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.7 and about 505 mm of total clearance for the Lexus RZ. The Lexus RZ also turns in a 1.3 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.