Lexus is bringing new electric cars to the UAE, but its advice to buyers still starts with where they live and how far they drive. For customers with limited access to charging, particularly apartment residents, or those doing long-distance commutes, Jacques Brent says a hybrid remains the better option.
Speaking to Tbreak at the 8 October launch of the RZ 500e and new ES, the Managing Director of Toyota and Lexus UAE at Al-Futtaim explained how he sees those choices working in practice. His answers also left some questions open, particularly around summer range and the scope of software updates on UAE cars.
Who should still choose a hybrid?
Brent’s recommendation was direct: “if you’re going to do long-distance commuting, then a hybrid is a more suitable choice.” He also pointed to apartment residents facing charging-infrastructure challenges, while identifying city commuting as a stronger use case for battery electric vehicles.
That advice helps buyers choose within the new ES range. UAE buyers can select the ES 350h hybrid from AED 230,000 or the fully equipped ES 500e electric sedan at AED 275,000. The RZ 500e electric SUV sits between them at AED 255,000. Those launch prices establish the options; your charging routine determines how comfortably an electric car fits into daily life.
Apartment living alone does not decide the answer. A driver with dependable charging at home or work has a different routine from someone who needs to make separate trips to a public charger. Brent’s advice is most useful as a prompt to examine that routine, including the longer journeys you regularly make.
How far will these EVs go in a UAE summer?
At the launch, Lexus quoted up to 460km of range for the RZ 500e and 465km for the ES 500e. We asked what buyers should expect in UAE summer conditions. Brent said pre-launch preparation focused on suitability for the Middle East, including air-conditioning performance and range, and that upgrades were made for the climate.
He acknowledged that heat will still affect driving range, but did not quantify the expected reduction or provide a local test result. Separately, Lexus’s regional RZ announcement describes air-conditioning tuning for the Middle East, infrared-cut glass and ventilated seats. Those changes explain part of the preparation, but do not establish a summer range figure for either UAE model.
What did Lexus say about over-the-air updates?
Asked about software updates and connectivity, Brent said: “In the future we will obviously move to over-the-air updates. These models specifically don’t have that.” He said connectivity was present and OTA updates were coming, but didn’t provide a timetable.
He also did not promise that these particular cars would gain the capability later. Buyers who value regular software improvements should ask Lexus to confirm exactly what their UAE model supports today and how updates to its different systems are delivered.
What should you notice on a test drive?
“It’s still a Lexus,” Brent said when asked what should persuade a customer to choose one of the new electric cars. His pitch centred on familiar refinement and the support of the Lexus network. He highlighted additional sound insulation, building on the quiet operation of an electric powertrain.
The launch presentation described acoustic glass, aerodynamic sealing and targeted insulation for the RZ. That gives a test drive a useful focus: listen for tyre and wind noise at motorway speed, assess comfort over uneven surfaces and spend time with the cabin controls. Lexus is making comfort and familiarity central to its electric offer; we will need time behind the wheel to judge how convincingly it delivers.
Does the RZ include a home charger?
Brent said a mobile charger would be supplied with the RZ and that buyers could arrange a wallbox installation through Al-Futtaim’s Charge2MOOV network. He did not confirm that the wallbox or its installation would be included in the vehicle price. Buyers should ask for a quotation spelling out the supplied hardware and installation costs before treating home charging as part of the package.
Lexus also has plug-in hybrids planned for early 2027 in the UAE, adding another choice. For the RZ and new ES, Brent’s advice offers a practical starting point: work out where charging fits into your week, then decide which powertrain suits the journeys you actually make.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lexus recommend a hybrid for UAE apartment residents?
Jacques Brent recommends considering a hybrid where apartment living makes charging difficult. Reliable access to charging is the relevant factor; he also favours hybrids for long-distance commuting.
Has Lexus confirmed a UAE summer range for the RZ 500e or ES 500e?
Brent did not provide a UAE summer test figure in this interview. Lexus quoted up to 460km for the RZ 500e and 465km for the ES 500e at the launch.
Is a wallbox and installation included with the Lexus RZ?
Brent said the RZ would include a mobile charger and that a wallbox installation option would be available. He did not confirm that the wallbox or installation would be free.
