Dive Brief:
- Toyota’s luxury division Lexus unveiled its first-ever three-row electric SUV called the TZ, which will come with standard all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel steering, the automaker announced in a press release.
- The new TZ is built on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform and will offer two lithium-ion battery options, a 76.96 kWh or 95.82 kWh pack, with an estimated driving range of up to 300 miles. U.S. models will also be equipped with the North American Charging Standard charge port.
- The TZ announcement follows the unveiling of the redesigned 2027 Toyota Highlander in February, which shares the same TNGA platform as the Lexus TZ and Subaru Getaway. Both vehicles are expected to go on sale in the U.S. later this year and will compete with other three-row EVs, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9 and Rivian R1S.
Dive Insight:
Although many global automakers, including Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Stellantis have significantly scaled back their EV plans amid lower-than-anticipated demand and billions of dollars in losses, Toyota continues to pursue its more long-term electrification strategy, which includes a mix of both hybrids and fully electric models and fewer ICE models.
The new 2027 Highlander SUV, for example, will only be available with a fully-electric powertrain after the automaker phased out the gas and hybrid versions. Lexus also unveiled its new ES sedan in March, which will be available with a fully-electric powertrain for the first time along with a new hybrid version for 2026, according to a press release.
As a luxury electric SUV, Lexus said the TZ was refined through over 40 performance themes to improve its ride characteristics. It has a reinforced body structure, including high-rigidity adhesives, laser screw welding and aluminum components to reduce weight, improve handling and increase torsional stiffness, per the release.
Lexus said it designed the TZ's cabin as a “lounge space” with a low floor and long wheelbase that it said enhances comfort and quietness. The company added sound-absorbing materials, vibration-frequency-offsetting design elements and aerodynamic mirrors to minimize wind noise, per the release, which it said results in the quietest cabin among all Lexus SUVs.
“This is one of the quietest, if not the quietest, SUV cabins in the world,” said Toyota Chief Branding Officer Simon Humphries in a media presentation. “The inherent silence of an electric powertrain combined with a rigid body structure creates a uniquely controlled acoustic environment.”
The SUV also comes with a panoramic glass roof to create a feeling of spaciousness. The roof features a power sunshade with a wire-driven system that preserves cabin height in order to maximize headroom while offering third-row passengers ample views, according to Lexus.
Aerodynamic refinements for the TZ include flush door handles, aerodynamic mirrors, underbody fins, air dams and optimized wheel designs to reduce wind noise and improve range.
The front suspension features MacPherson struts paired with a multi-link rear setup that Lexus tuned for comfort on large-diameter 20-inch or 22-inch wheels and tires.
The TZ also has “Dynamic Rear Steering” to improve maneuverability at low speeds, such as when parking. The rear steering also helps boost vehicle stability at highway speeds, according to Lexus, by turning the rear wheels up to 4 degrees in coordination with the front wheels.
Along with the TZ’s selectable drive modes of Normal, Sport, Eco and Range, Lexus added a unique “Rear Comfort” mode that emphasizes rear seat comfort. It works in coordination with the rear-wheel steering, combining brake force optimization and drive force distribution to minimize pitching and lateral motion for second- and third-row occupants.
The TZ will come standard with the Lexus Safety System+ 4.0, which offers a long list of safety and driver assist technology, including Intersection Turn Assist, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist and Lane Change Assist.
Dimensions of the TZ are a length of 200.8 inches, 78.3-inch width, 67.1-inch height and a 120.1-inch wheelbase. It will also have a towing capacity of up to 3,500 lbs.
Lexus said pricing, trim levels and other details of Lexus TZ will be announced later this year.
