When you’re shopping for an electric SUV, the numbers on a spec sheet only tell part of the story. The Lexus RZ cargo space dimensions look modest on paper, but how does that play out when you’re staring down a Costco run or loading luggage for a family road trip? Let’s walk through the numbers, then translate them into real-world usefulness.
Quick cargo highlights
Lexus RZ cargo space overview
Lexus positions the RZ as a compact-to-midsize electric SUV, roughly between the NX and RX in footprint. In practice, that means you get comfortable seating for five and a usefully wide rear opening, but the sleek, fastback-style tail eats into the vertical space you can stack cargo. The RZ also skips a front trunk (frunk), so everything goes in the rear.
Key Lexus RZ cargo and interior stats
Official Lexus RZ cargo space specs
Let’s start with the hard numbers you’ll see on window stickers and spec sheets. For recent model years of the Lexus RZ 450e (and the newer RZ 300e), cargo specs are essentially the same:
- Cargo space behind the second row (rear seats up): about 23.7 cubic feet in the main trunk area.
- Cargo space including underfloor storage / generous measuring methods: often listed around 34.9 cubic feet behind the second row.
- Cargo space with rear seats folded: about 55.6 cubic feet of maximum volume.
- Number of rows: 2 (no third row).
- Frunk: None. All cargo goes in the rear and cabin storage.
Why the numbers don’t always match
Lexus RZ cargo dimensions in real life
Lexus doesn’t publish a detailed inch-by-inch cargo blueprint like you might see for a pickup bed, but after you’ve loaded a few RZs, you get a clear sense of its usable space. Think of it this way:
How the Lexus RZ cargo area is shaped
What matters when you’re actually loading stuff
Width and opening
The RZ has a wide tailgate opening with a relatively low lift-over height. That’s great for strollers, coolers, and suitcases. Wheel housings slightly pinch the width at floor level, but the main floor is wide enough for most medium suitcases side by side.
Length and height
With the rear seats up, floor length is enough for carry-on bags front-to-back and long grocery hauls. The sloped rear glass limits how high you can stack tall boxes, so think "wagon" more than "tall boxy SUV" when planning big moves.
Fold the 60/40-split rear seatbacks and you get a long, mostly flat load floor. That extended length is what lets the RZ swallow long boxes, skis, or bikes with the front wheel removed. There’s no front trunk to bail you out, but the hidden space under the rear cargo floor is deeper than you expect.
Test the shape, not just the spec sheet
How much actually fits in the Lexus RZ?
Here’s where the Lexus RZ cargo space dimensions start to mean something you can picture. Using those 23.7–34.9 cubic feet behind the second row, here’s what you can realistically expect to carry.
Lexus RZ cargo capacity in everyday terms
Approximate real-world loads you can fit in the RZ. Exact results will vary based on luggage size and how high you stack items under the rear glass.
| Scenario | Rear seats position | What fits comfortably | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport run for four | Seats up | 4 carry-on suitcases + 2–3 backpacks | You may need to stack a couple bags under the window line. |
| Family Costco haul | Seats up | Several large grocery bags + bulk packs (paper towels, drinks) | Underfloor storage is great for fragile items or small bags. |
| IKEA flat-pack mission | Seats folded | Long flat boxes up to bike-length | The sloping roof can limit very tall boxes; slide them in flat. |
| Car-camping weekend for two | Seats folded | 2 large duffels, cooler, tent, camp chairs, bins | Plenty of length; organize heavy items low and forward. |
| Dog + luggage combo | Seats up / one side folded | Medium dog crate + 2 suitcases | Folding only one rear seatback keeps a passenger spot open. |
Think of these as ballpark guides for planning trips and errands, not lab-perfect measurements.
The sweet spot use case
Interior storage and underfloor cargo space
Cargo space isn’t just about the big open box in the back. One of the Lexus RZ’s party tricks is how it hides storage all over the cabin, especially since there’s no traditional glovebox.
- Underfloor cargo compartment: A deep well beneath the main cargo floor that can swallow charge cables, soft bags, or valuables you’d rather keep out of sight.
- Side bins and pockets: Small molded areas around the cargo bay help corral cleaning supplies, a tire inflator, or jumper cables.
- Center console storage: A large covered bin, open tray, and cupholders up front make it easy to keep the cabin tidy on road trips.
- Door pockets: Front and rear door bins are sized for water bottles, umbrellas, and small items.
- Seatback pockets: Hard-backed pockets behind the front seats are handy for tablets, coloring books, or slim organizers for families.
About that missing glovebox
Lexus RZ vs competitors: cargo space comparison
If cargo capacity is at the top of your shopping list, it helps to see where the Lexus RZ lands versus other popular electric SUVs. It’s not the outright leader, but it’s far from cramped.
Lexus RZ cargo space vs other electric SUVs
Approximate cargo volumes with rear seats up and then folded. Figures vary slightly by model year and measurement method, but this gives you the lay of the land.
| Model | Seats up (cu ft) | Seats folded (cu ft) | Frunk? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexus RZ | ~23.7–34.9 | ~48–55.6 | No |
| Tesla Model Y | ~30 | ~72 | Yes (small) |
| Genesis GV60 | ~24 | ~54–55 | Small |
| Audi Q4 e-tron | ~25 | ~54 | No |
| Cadillac Lyriq | ~28–30 | ~60 | No |
Numbers are rounded and for comparison only. Always check the exact model year you’re considering.
Lexus RZ: where it stands
The RZ trails the Tesla Model Y on raw volume, especially with seats folded, and it doesn’t offer a frunk. But compared with many luxury EVs, it’s competitive: more usable space than some sleeker, lower-roof rivals, and a more flexible underfloor compartment than you get in many crossovers.
Who might want more space
If your life is heavy on home-improvement projects, mountain bikes, or towering cargo, a boxier SUV or one with a vast frunk (like Model Y or some larger three-row EVs) may suit you better. The RZ is better thought of as a stylish all-rounder than a mini moving van.
Watch the sloping rear glass
Tips to make the most of Lexus RZ cargo space
Seven ways to maximize your Lexus RZ cargo room
1. Use the underfloor well strategically
Keep heavy or fragile items, like tools, glass bottles, or camera gear, in the deep underfloor compartment. It frees up floor space and lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity for better handling.
2. Pack low and forward
Place your heaviest bags directly behind the rear seatbacks and on the floor. It keeps weight where the suspension likes it and reduces the chance of things shifting under braking.
3. Remove the cargo cover when you need height
On test drives, lots of people forget that the retractable cargo cover pops out easily. Take it out for big hauls; stow it under the floor when you don’t need it so you’re not tempted to leave it in the garage permanently.
4. Use 60/40 split-fold flexibility
Folding just one side of the rear seat lets you haul skis, lumber, or a bike while keeping one or two rear passengers comfortable and belted in on the other side.
5. Choose your wheels wisely
On some EVs, bigger wheels and tires can slightly nibble at inner cargo dimensions or payload. If you’re cross-shopping trims on a used RZ, the smaller-wheel trims are often a better bet for long-range road trips with a full load.
6. Travel with soft-sided luggage
Soft duffels and compressible gear bags are your friends in the RZ. They mold to the sloping roofline and squeeze into corners that hard-shell suitcases can’t use.
7. Factor in roof racks or a hitch rack
If you regularly carry bikes, kayaks, or extra luggage, consider an RZ equipped with a factory or aftermarket roof rack or hitch rack. Moving bulky gear outside preserves precious cabin cargo room.
Cargo space questions to ask when buying a used Lexus RZ
Shopping used is where the Lexus RZ gets especially interesting: you’re looking at a premium, quiet cabin and solid range, often for less than a new mainstream EV. But if cargo space matters to you, there are a few smart questions to ask during your search.
Used Lexus RZ cargo checklist
What to look for before you sign anything
Does it come with cargo accessories?
Ask whether the car includes the cargo cover, cargo mat, and any organizers. These are often lost between owners but make day-to-day use much easier.
How was it used?
A vehicle that spent life as an airport shuttle or work hauler may show more scuffs, stains, and wear in the cargo area. That doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker, but it should be reflected in price.
Range with a full load
Ask for real-world range info with the car fully loaded. At Recharged, the Recharged Score report includes verified battery health, so you know how much range you’ll have when the RZ is packed for a road trip.
If you’re browsing a used Lexus RZ on Recharged, you’ll see clear photos of the cargo area, including underfloor storage and with seats folded, plus a Recharged Score battery report. That makes it easy to decide whether a specific RZ has the space and range to match your lifestyle, without having to squint at a spec sheet.
Lexus RZ cargo space FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Lexus RZ cargo space
Bottom line: Is Lexus RZ cargo space enough for you?
On paper, the Lexus RZ cargo space dimensions won’t win any spec-sheet drag races against a Model Y, but that’s not the whole story. The RZ delivers a wide, easy-to-load opening, a useful underfloor compartment, and a long, flat space with the rear seats folded, wrapped in one of the quietest, most comfortable EV cabins around.
If your life is built around people, luggage, and everyday gear more than lumber and refrigerators, the RZ’s cargo area is likely more than enough. And if you’re eyeing a used Lexus RZ, Recharged can help you find one with the space, battery health, and price that fit your needs, backed by transparent Recharged Score reports and expert EV support from your first click to delivery.
