The 2027 Lexus TZ arrives later this year as the brand’s first three-row electric SUV, positioning Lexus to compete against the Kia EV9, Hyundai Ioniq 9, and Rivian R1S with a manufacturer-estimated 300-mile range and an expected base price around $60,000. The TZ slots above the two-row RZ in Lexus’s expanding electric lineup and introduces what the company calls its Driving Lounge concept, a marketing frame for blending lounge-like interior comfort with the handling dynamics Lexus has been refining across its SUV range for the past decade.
Two lithium-ion battery packs are offered: 76.96 kWh and 95.82 kWh. The 300-mile range estimate applies to select grades, meaning the smaller pack will deliver less. Lexus has not disclosed which trim levels receive which battery, nor whether buyers can option up to the larger pack on lower trims. The evolved DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive system is standard across the lineup, distributing torque between front and rear motors with ratios that shift from 60:40 to 0:100 during acceleration and 80:20 to 0:100 during cornering to balance traction and handling.
The TZ is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform, the same scalable structure underpinning much of Toyota and Lexus’s current product portfolio. Lexus claims the TZ’s body rigidity benefits from high-rigidity adhesives, laser screw welding, and aluminum components, which together deliver what the company describes as handling stability and torsional stiffness appropriate for a vehicle carrying three rows of passengers. Dynamic Rear Steering is available and steers the rear wheels up to four degrees in coordination with the front axle to improve low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability. The suspension uses MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear setup tuned for comfort on 20- or 22-inch wheels. Lexus quotes a drag coefficient of 0.27, achieved through smooth airflow management, flush door handles, aerodynamic mirrors, underbody fins, and optimized wheel designs.
Forged Bamboo and Power Ottomans
The interior aesthetic leans heavily on Lexus’s sustainable-craftsmanship messaging. Forged Bamboo surfaces, sourced from Shikoku Island, appear throughout the cabin as part of what Lexus frames as a commitment to traditional Japanese techniques. Front passenger and second-row seats offer ventilation and power ottomans, a feature Lexus claims is a first for its SUV lineup. Third-row seats get sofa-like cushioning, and access to the third row is eased by flush seat rails and a walk-in button on the second-row seats that allows entry even with child seats installed. Cargo space is managed with one-touch folding for the second and third rows.
An expansive panoramic roof with a wire-driven power sunshade preserves cabin height while delivering what Lexus describes as ample views for third-row passengers. The cabin is framed as the quietest among Lexus SUVs, a claim supported by sound-absorbing materials, vibration-frequency-offsetting design elements, and aerodynamic mirrors engineered to minimize wind noise. Standard ambient illumination cycles through six Japanese-inspired themes. A Mark Levinson audio system with 21 speakers is available. Climate fans are engineered for quietness, and heated seats are standard across all three rows.
Five drive modes are offered: NORMAL, SPORT, ECO, RANGE, and REAR COMFORT. The REAR COMFORT mode coordinates Dynamic Rear Steering, brake force optimization, and drive force distribution to minimize pitching and lateral motion for second- and third-row occupants. Regenerative braking offers five levels of deceleration adjustable via paddle shifters, with maximum coasting deceleration up to 0.2 G for what Lexus describes as natural speed control using only the accelerator pedal. Active Sound Control produces harmonically pleasing acceleration and deceleration sounds linked to pedal inputs, a feature Lexus frames as enhancing driver awareness through musical chord sequences.
The latest-generation Lexus Interface multimedia system debuts in the TZ with customizable widgets, improved voice assistant functionality, full-screen navigation on the digital gauge cluster, and AT&T 5G connectivity. EV-specific features include EV Routing and EV Range Map for charge management. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Integrated Streaming with Spotify and SiriusXM with 360L are available.
The TZ uses a Lexus-first 2-in-1 charging port that places AC and DC connectors side by side with a compact motorized sliding cover. The U.S. model features the North American Charging Standard port. Battery preconditioning optimizes temperature before charging in cold conditions, and driving preconditioning adjusts battery temperature en route to charging stations. An AC external power supply function allows use of electrical appliances via a rear AC inlet by attaching a dedicated accessory adapter.
Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 is standard and includes the suite of active safety and driver-assistance features Lexus has been rolling out across its lineup. Official pricing will be disclosed later in 2026 as the TZ nears its on-sale date at the end of the year.
The competitive set is well-defined. The Kia EV9 and Hyundai Ioniq 9 are already on sale, and Rivian has been delivering the R1S for three years. Whether the TZ’s emphasis on lounge-like comfort and Lexus’s traditional strengths in cabin quietness and material quality can justify a premium over those rivals will depend on how the final pricing shakes out and whether 300 miles of range is enough for buyers who have learned to expect more.
Source: Lexus. Images courtesy of Lexus.
