Hauling the family around used to mean buying a minivan, but these days the three-row SUV is the chariot of choice. Few luxury brands understand that better than Lexus, which already fields no fewer than three SUVs with room for a third row. Now there’s a fourth option joining the lineup, and it’s unlike any three-row SUV the automaker has offered before.Lexus Toyota’s premium division this week took the covers off the 2027 Lexus TZ ahead of its arrival in US showrooms later this year. Launching with a choice of two battery packs, the midsize luxury EV is aimed squarely at rivals like the Cadillac Vistiq, Lucid Gravity, and Volvo EX90. While Lexus is still holding back most of the key specs, what it has revealed so far suggests the TZ could emerge as one of the more compelling options in the growing premium electric three-row segment. Up To 300 Miles Of Range Lexus The TZ is positioned as an electric alternative to the Lexus TX, a three-row SUV with gas engines that managed more than 57,000 sales in the US last year, or about 15 percent of Lexus’s total volume in this market. However, the TZ is more closely related to the new Toyota Highlander EV, with both SUVs sharing an electrified version of Toyota’s TNGA modular platform. Viewed from the side, the two SUVs also appear to share much of their styling, though the TZ stretches about two inches longer overall, measuring 200.8 inches from bumper to bumper.Lexus has confirmed the TZ will launch with two lithium-ion battery options that, unsurprisingly, mirror those offered in the Highlander EV: 77.0- and 95.8-kilowatt-hour packs. The larger battery is estimated to deliver at least 300 miles of range, according to Lexus. That’s an impressive figure given the TZ’s blocky proportions (aerodynamic tweaks help it achieve a 0.27 drag coefficient), large wheels ranging from 20 to 22 inches, and standard all-wheel drive. To help maximize efficiency, the regenerative braking system offers five levels of deceleration adjustable via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. No power figures have been released (although some outlets are reporting peak outputs of 402 horsepower), but we know the AWD Highlander EV is rated at 338 hp.We expect that as a baseline (and more) for the TZ.LexusThe TZ's all-wheel-drive system, which Lexus calls DIRECT4 AWD, uses a dual-motor setup capable of constantly varying torque distribution based on what the vehicle is doing. During acceleration, the system can adjust from a 60:40 to 0:100 front-to-rear split, while cornering sees an 80:20 to 0:100 distribution to help optimize grip and stability. Much of the system’s behavior is tied to the selectable drive modes, including a dedicated Rear Comfort mode. Lexus said this setting coordinates features like the rear-wheel steering, brakes, and AWD system to minimize pitching and lateral motion during more spirited driving. A Lounge-Like Interior Lexus Inside, Lexus said the TZ was designed to feel like a lounge on wheels, something that was aided by its flat floor and long wheelbase measuring just over 120 inches. A simplified dashboard, second-row captain’s chairs (second-row bench may be standard), and a panoramic glass roof also create an airy atmosphere. Lexus also focused heavily on noise isolation, using sound-absorbing materials, aerodynamic mirrors, and vibration-reducing engineering to create what it claims is the quietest cabin of any SUV it's built. The front-passenger seat and second-row seats offer ventilation and power ottomans, while the third row gets sofa-like cushioning. Access to the third row is made easy with flush seat rails and a walk-in button on second-row seats, allowing wide access even with child seats installed.Naturally, Lexus also included all the modern tech features buyers require. The TZ debuts the latest version of Lexus' infotainment system, which the automaker said features sharper graphics, faster processing, and AT&T 5G connectivity, along with customizable home-screen widgets, an improved voice assistant, and full-screen navigation displayed in the digital gauge cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, while buyers can spec a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.Lexus When it comes to charging, the US market will receive a Tesla-style NACS port. Lexus also includes battery preconditioning functions that can warm or cool the pack before charging, plus an adaptive charging system that learns driver habits to suggest optimized charging schedules. Standard safety tech is extensive as well, with Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 bundling all the useful features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, automatic lane changes, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist, and much more. More Details To Come Lexus Lexus is still holding back a number of key details on the TZ, with more information expected to arrive closer to its market launch late this year, including pricing. For context, the gas-powered TX currently starts at just over $57,000 and climbs to more than $80,000 in plug-in hybrid form, and the fully electric TZ is likely to sit closer to the upper end of that range, if not beyond it.Lexus has confirmed the TZ will be built in Japan, though shifting trade conditions and US tariffs may open the door to production also taking place in the US for North America, where most examples of the new electric three-row SUV are expected to be sold. Stay tuned.2027 Lexus TZ Front View
+45 others
