The Lexus TZ debuts as the brand’s first three-row battery electric SUV, targeting roughly 300 miles of EPA range from a 95.82-kWh lithium-ion battery. Lexus unveiled the prototype globally on May 7, 2026, with U.S. sales arriving as a 2027 model. The all-wheel-drive luxury SUV pairs a dedicated TNGA platform with a “Driving Lounge” cabin concept and a 0.27 drag coefficient. The TZ slots above the gas-powered TX in the Lexus lineup and shares its battery architecture and core platform with the recently announced 2027 Toyota Highlander BEV.
Highlights
- Powertrain: Dual 167-kW motors deliver 300 kW (407.8 PS) combined, with 0–100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and AWD via the evolved DIRECT4 system.
- Battery and range: Long-range 95.82-kWh pack targets 300 miles (EPA) and supports 10–80 percent DC fast charging in roughly 35 minutes at 150 kW; a 76.96-kWh standard pack is also offered.
- Dimensions: 5,100 mm long, 1,990 mm wide, 1,705 mm tall, with a 3,050-mm wheelbase and curb weight of 2,630 kg.
- U.S. spec: NACS port, 3,500-lb towing capacity, and an as-yet-unannounced launch price expected later in 2026.
Powertrain and Battery Architecture
The TZ uses a dual-motor AWD layout, with 167-kW motors at each axle producing 268.6 N·m (27.3 kgf·m) of torque apiece. Combined system output reaches 300 kW, or 407.8 PS, identical on paper to the high-performance RZ 550e F SPORT variant launched in 2025. Lexus quotes a 0–100 km/h time of 5.4 seconds for the prototype.
Two lithium-ion battery options are available. The standard-range 76.96-kWh pack uses 104 cells, while the newly developed long-range 95.82-kWh pack uses 312 cells. Lexus targets approximately 300 miles of EPA range with the larger battery and 20-inch tires. WLTP figures of 530 km in Europe and 620 km in Japan apply to non-U.S. markets.
DC fast charging from 10 to 80 percent takes about 35 minutes at 150 kW under optimal conditions. A new battery preconditioning system warms the pack before fast charging when a charger is set as a navigation destination, and Vehicle-to-Home compatibility is included. The TZ adopts NACS for the U.S. market, consistent with Lexus’s broader 2026 NACS rollout across the RZ lineup.
Driving Lounge Concept and Cabin
Lexus designed the TZ around what it calls the Driving Lounge, a packaging philosophy aimed at making all three rows comfortable for adult passengers. The dedicated platform delivers a 3,050-mm wheelbase, and a wide, slim, movable panoramic roof extends shading to the third row.
The cabin includes available ventilated front-passenger and second-row seats with ottomans, described as a Lexus SUV first. Cargo capacity ranges from 290 liters with all three rows upright to 2,017 liters with the second and third rows folded. A radio-wave-based kick sensor for the hands-free tailgate and a 60-GHz radar Cabin Detection Alert System for children left in the vehicle also debut on the TZ.
A Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio system anchors the available Sensory Concierge feature, which synchronizes lighting, music, multimedia visuals, fragrance, and climate control across three modes.
Chassis, Aerodynamics, and Driving Modes
The TZ uses MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link rear setup, with available Dynamic Rear Steering that turns the rear wheels up to 4 degrees. Front brakes feature opposed six-piston calipers on certain configurations. The vehicle achieves a drag coefficient of 0.27 through underbody dimples and fins, an air dam, semi-flush door handles, and aerodynamic mirrors.
Drive modes include NORMAL, SPORT, ECO, RANGE, and a new REAR COMFORT setting that combines Dynamic Rear Steering, AHB-G brake-force optimization, and front/rear motor torque distribution to suppress pitch and roll for back-seat passengers. Maximum coasting deceleration with the accelerator released is 0.2g, and paddle shifters allow five levels of regenerative braking. The Interactive Manual Drive system simulates eight virtual gears with a Lexus V10 engine sound, expanding on the feature first introduced on the RZ.
Industry Context: Lexus, Highlander, and the Three-Row EV Field
The TZ is closely related to the 2027 Toyota Highlander BEV revealed in February 2026. Both share the TNGA-K platform and the 95.82-kWh long-range battery, and both target around 300 to 320 miles of EPA range. The Highlander BEV measures 198.8 inches long on a 120.1-inch wheelbase, while the TZ stretches to roughly 200.8 inches (5,100 mm) on the same 120.1-inch wheelbase. The Highlander BEV is built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, though Lexus has not yet specified TZ production location.
Pricing context is also instructive. Industry reports place the Highlander BEV at around $50,000 to start, while the TZ is widely expected to land near $60,000 — a roughly $10,000 luxury premium for the bamboo trim, Mark Levinson audio, DIRECT4 tuning, and Driving Lounge package. The TZ enters a three-row luxury EV segment that already includes the Volvo EX90, Cadillac Vistiq, Hyundai IONIQ 9, Kia EV9, Lucid Gravity, and Rivian R1S.
Sustainable Materials and Safety
Forged Bamboo, made from Shikoku bamboo fibers blended with resin, decorates portions of the instrument panel, door trim, and even the smart key. Recycled aluminum is used for the roof rails and tonneau cover, and Bio-based UltraSuede appears on seat accents and door shoulders. The body color palette includes 11 options, headlined by a new SONIC TELLUS finish, with three interior themes: White Ash, Mauve, and Grayscale.
The TZ launches with the latest Lexus Safety System +, including Pre-Crash Safety with expanded intersection-collision detection, an enhanced Lane Change Assist, an Emergency Driving Stop System with shoulder-pull capability, an Adaptive High-beam System, and a Blind Spot Monitor that now flags bicycles and motorcycles. A Driver Monitor camera detects drowsiness, and a 3D-view Panoramic View Monitor allows occupants to virtually rotate around the vehicle.
Sign up for our popular weekly email to catch all the latest EV news!
