- The 2027 Lexus TZ has standard all-wheel drive.
- Customers can choose from two lithium-ion battery options: 76.96 kWh and 95.82 kWh.
- It’s a six-seater electric SUV with ventilated seats for the first two rows.
Toyota has been criticized for its slow EV rollout, but the company has been making amends over the past couple of years. The latest entry wears a Lexus badge and carries a fresh name: TZ. Essentially an upscale version of the electric Highlander, it’s the first three-row electric SUV from Toyota’s luxury brand. However, it’s more than just a rebadged model, as many of the body panels are unique.
At 200.8 inches long, the six-seat Lexus TZ is roughly the same size as the gas-powered LX but rides on a much longer wheelbase. Revisions to the TNGA platform allowed engineers to push the wheels farther outward, freeing up 120.1 inches between the axles. That’s nearly 8 inches more than the conventionally powered SUV. Although it shares its wheelbase and width (78.3 inches) with the Highlander, the TZ is two inches longer overall and sits 0.2 inches lower, at 67.1 inches tall.
While Toyota plans to sell the electric Highlander with front-wheel drive in the United States, Lexus will offer the TZ exclusively with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup. Buyers can choose between 76.96-kWh and 95.82-kWh batteries, with up to 300 miles of range. As is always the case with EVs, wheel choice will directly impact efficiency. The TZ will be available with either 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels wrapped in low-rolling-resistance tires.
Photo by: Lexus
Key Specs: 300 Miles, 402 Horsepower
Although it’s a boxy SUV, the new TZ achieves a relatively low drag coefficient of 0.27, thanks to flush door handles and redesigned side mirrors optimized for aerodynamic efficiency. Lexus even fitted underbody fins to help maximize range, although it’s worth noting the 300-mile figure remains an estimate rather than an EPA-certified rating.
Although Lexus USA has yet to disclose power figures, the global division lists 402 horsepower for the range-topping version. That represents a 64-hp increase over the dual-motor Highlander, but Lexus says the figure is preliminary and the final number may vary by market. Even though the global-spec TZ weighs 5,798 pounds (2,630 kilograms), it still needs just 5.4 seconds to sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h).
The 2027 Lexus TZ Has A Posh Interior
Much like the exterior isn’t simply a Highlander wearing a Lexus badge, the cabin has also received substantial changes. Some images show a massive touchscreen extending to the passenger side of the dashboard, though it’s too early to say whether it will be available in all markets. What we do know is that the TZ is the first Lexus to offer ventilation and power ottomans for the first two rows, while third-row passengers appear to benefit from generous legroom thanks to the extended wheelbase.
Other highlights include the world’s longest sliding panoramic roof (with an electric sunshade), one-touch folding for the second and third rows, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. Lexus even uses forged bamboo trim to elevate the cabin beyond what the Highlander offers. In North America, the TZ comes equipped with a NACS charging port, allowing a 10-to-80-percent charge in about 35 minutes at up to 150 kW.
Touted as the quietest SUV in the company’s lineup, the TZ can still scream like it has a naturally aspirated V10 under the hood. During the model’s official presentation, we heard the Lexus LFA’s soundtrack, and it wasn’t merely for show. Toyota Chief Branding Officer Simon Humphries said the sound will be “available on demand.”
The 2027 TZ will go on sale in the United States by the end of this year, with full specifications and pricing details to be announced closer to launch.
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Source: Lexus
Motor1’s Take: The EV market may be cooling down in the United States, but we wouldn’t necessarily say the TZ’s launch comes at a bad time. After all, it will be a global model and a solid entry into the three-row luxury electric SUV segment. Inside and out, Lexus appears to have put in the effort to properly distinguish the TZ from its mainstream Highlander sibling.
However, it’s not going to be easy for Lexus to lure in buyers. The TZ will face stiff competition from day one, going up against models such as the Volvo EX90, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Cadillac Vistiq, and Rivian R1S.
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