First came the TX, and now you have an electric alternative: the TZ.
Even as some automakers dramatically pull back their EV ambitions, Toyota is continuing its own rollout more or less unabated. Though it was a bit slow out the gate, the automaker now seems to be accelerating its electric expansion. It brought new versions of the bZ as well as the smaller C-HR, with the closely related Subaru variants following suit. So too the story goes with Lexus, which got an update to its RZ, and now gets a three-row flagship in the way of the new 2027 Lexus TZ.
As you’d expect, the new Lexus TZ fundamentally follows the Toyota Highlander and Subaru Getaway. To that end, you get a three-row EV with 77- or 96-kWh (approximate) batteries, up to 300 miles of range and, crucially for new models these days, a NACS charging port. Overall, the 2027 measures out to 200.8 inches long on a 120.1-inch wheelbase, and it’s also 78.3 inches wide and 67.1 inches tall. Those dimensions make it ever so smaller than the gas and hybrid-powered TX models, but there’s only a couple inches in it at most.
Looking around and inside the new TZ
Again, fundamentally you’re looking at a package inside and out that is reasonably similar to the Highlander EV — at least at first glance. The two cars share the same wheelbase, though the Lexus does get its own distinctive front-end design. If anything, apart from subtleties in the front clip and the headlights, the major exterior changes are at the back. The TZ gets a completely different rear lighting profile, with elements cutting down and inward on each side of the tailgate, and the more modern “LEXUS” script across the tailgate instead of the standard stylized L badge. In fact, the only place you see that badge is on the faux grille, as Lexus opted to use their script on the steering wheel as well.
Inside, the Lexus also ditches the Highlanders more utilitarian button layout for touch-sensitive controls. Of course, a fully digital driver display and large infotainment screen dominate the front row, but the cabin also incorporates a sense of serenity and comfort through bamboo-based trim elements, ultrasuede and heated/ventilated seats across the first and second rows. Speaking of those seats, you can also spec both the first and second rows with power-adjustable ottomans.
Another feather in Lexus’ cap, to hear them describe the TZ, is just how quiet this car is, in addition to being incredibly comfortable. The low-floor, long-wheelbase layout is one key to that, as is making extensive use of sound-dampening materials, “vibration frequency offsetting design elements” and aerodynamic mirrors. While the new TZ aims to tamp down unwanted road and wind noise as much as possible, an area it adds noise back in is with the car’s Active Sound Control, which pipes in far more dynamic sounds into the cabin, if you prefer to lean in that direction and want to hustle your family hauler a bit. Still not as good as actual engine noise, I’m sure a lot of folks will say, but it’s there to make the EV not feel unsettlingly quiet.
Performance and charging capability
On the performance front, the 2027 Lexus TZ only gets a 402-horsepower dual-motor setup. Typically you have to build your way up to that in the mainstream models, but the new TZ450e gets one powertrain and one powertrain only. The standard 77-kWh battery pack will start off the lineup, while the larger pack may be optional on some trims and standard on others (we’ll have more details on the trim walk in the coming months).
While other EVs boast charging speed as a gotcha toward its rivals over range these days, the 2027 Lexus TZ leans heavily on that 300-mile range figure. That’s for good reason, as the prospective DC fast-charging capability is just average. The 10-80% estimate is around 35 minutes, pegging the TZ’s maximum charge speed at around 150 kW.
That said, the range for this class of vehicle is still something to keep in mind, as is its maneuverability thanks to rear-wheel steering and towing capability up to 3,500 pounds (at least it has some capability on that front).
We’ll know much more about the new 2027 Lexus TZ and have more video coverage coming up soon. Whatever Lexus does price it at, the new TZ will arrive in showrooms later this year.
