First Look: The 2027 Lexus TZ — Lexus Goes All-In on Three-Row Electric Luxury and It Is Absolutely Spectacular

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, Lexus pulled the curtain off what is arguably the most important vehicle it has revealed in years. The 2027 Lexus TZ — the brand's first-ever three-row, all-electric, all-wheel-drive SUV — has arrived, and it is a statement of intent from Toyota's luxury division about exactly where it stands in the rapidly evolving premium EV space. Here is a complete, detailed breakdown of everything revealed so far.

What Is the 2027 Lexus TZ?

Lexus expands its electrified lineup for 2027 with the all-new Lexus TZ, the brand's first three-row, all-electric, AWD SUV. Built on Lexus' TNGA platform, it is designed to blend driving enjoyment with refined comfort, supporting diverse lifestyles while delivering exceptional luxury SUV dynamics. 

Toyota's luxury division expands its electric line with the 2027 Lexus TZ, a three-row SUV that shares its mechanical pedigree with the 2027 Toyota Highlander and 2027 Subaru Getaway. This will be the third EV for Lexus, joining the two-row RZ SUV and ES sedan, which is packaged as both a pure electric and a hybrid.

In short, the TZ is Lexus' answer to the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9, Rivian R1S, Volvo EX90, and Cadillac Vistiq — a fully electric, three-row family hauler with the premium touches and refinement that only a luxury brand like Lexus can deliver.

Design: Sculpted, Aerodynamic, and Unmistakably Lexus

Its sculptural exterior balances beauty and aerodynamics, achieving top-class performance among Lexus SUVs while maximising driving range. 

The rear pillars resemble those on the TX, although the lighting is quite modern and distinct, with L-shaped lamps at the rear corners. The TZ looks very much like what one would expect: TX proportions and styling mixed with a grille-less front fascia and trendy lighting. The distinctive rear roof pillar draws a clear visual connection to the three-row TX. The fenders bulge out in a more muscular fashion. 

At 200.8 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and 67.1 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 120.1 inches, the electric Lexus TZ is about the same size as the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Volvo EX90. One notable omission that has already generated discussion is the absence of a front trunk — the electric SUV does not include a frunk, similar to the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E, though it could potentially be offered as an upgrade at extra cost. 

Battery, Range, and Powertrain

It features two lithium-ion battery options — 76.96 kWh and 95.82 kWh — and employs an evolved DIRECT4 AWD system. 

Lexus estimates up to 300 miles of range on select trims, though the automaker has not yet released full EPA figures. In other markets, the numbers are more impressive still — under the Chinese CLTC cycle, some versions would reach close to 640 kilometres per charge. 

On power output, Lexus has not yet released official figures, though Consumer Reports estimates approximately 420 hp in all-wheel-drive configuration, citing the Subaru Getaway which shares the same platform. The 2027 Lexus TZ is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds. 

The torque split can change from 60:40 to 0:100 (front:rear) when accelerating, and from 80:20 to 0:100 in corners. Available rear-wheel steering can turn up to 4 degrees for added agility. There are five levels of regenerative braking that can decelerate the car at up to 0.2 g, and the hydraulic brakes are blended with the regen system for a more natural pedal feel. 

Charging: Fast, Flexible, and Tesla-Compatible

With charging speeds up to 150 kW, the three-row electric SUV can recharge from 10% to 80% in around 35 minutes. 

The SUV adopts the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, giving owners access to Tesla's growing Supercharger network. Other features include battery preconditioning, bidirectional power capability, and regenerative braking adjustable through paddle shifters. 

Interior: The "Driving Lounge" — Luxury That Wraps Around Every Passenger

This is where the TZ truly distinguishes itself — and where Lexus has clearly lavished the most attention.

Engineers designed the cabin as an enjoyable lounge space with a low-floor, long-wheelbase layout that enhances comfort and quietness. The slim instrument panel, seats optimised for comfort across all three rows, second-row captain's chairs, and an expansive panoramic roof create an open, inviting atmosphere for all passengers. 

Every TZ will come with second-row captain's chairs, making it solely a six-seater. Those captain's chairs offer ventilation and powered ottomans. The third row is said to have "sofa-like cushioning," with easy access via a walk-in button that slides the second row forward — even with a child seat installed. 

Seats are designed and crafted for comfort: slim front seats balance style and support; front passenger and second-row seats offer ventilation and power ottomans — a Lexus SUV first; third-row seats provide sofa-like cushioning. Access to the third row is eased by flush seat rails and a walk-in button on second-row seats. Cargo space is generous and flexible, with one-touch folding for second and third rows. Doors feature an easy-closer function for safe, quiet operation. 

The cargo capacity stands at a maximum of 13.8 cubic feet with all seats in place.

Sustainable Luxury: Forged Bamboo and Plant-Based Materials

One of the most distinctive design choices in the TZ is its material palette. Interior surfaces feature Forged Bamboo, sourced from Shikoku Island, reflecting Lexus' commitment to sustainable craftsmanship and traditional techniques. 

Lexus says the Shikoku bamboo trim has "fibres blended into resin support circular economy initiatives while preserving traditional craftsmanship," and there are other premium materials including plant-based UltraSuede. 

The Wildcard Feature: It Sounds Like a Lexus LFA V10

In what has already become the most talked-about detail of the entire reveal, the TZ ships with an extraordinary audio feature. The Active Sound Control system produces harmonically pleasing acceleration and deceleration sounds linked to pedal inputs, enhancing driver awareness through musical chord sequences that express power and dynamism. In Lexus' video reveal, the sound is clearly from the V10 of the iconic Lexus LFA supercar. 

Similar to Hyundai's performance EV, the Ioniq 5 N, the Lexus TZ features Active Sound Control that replicates the feeling and sound of a gas engine shifting. An electric family SUV that sounds like one of the greatest supercars ever built — only Lexus. 

Technology and Safety: The Latest of Everything

The latest-generation Lexus Interface multimedia system debuts in the TZ with crisp graphics, an intuitive user interface, enhanced computing power, and AT&T 5G connectivity. New features include customisable widgets on the home screen, improved "Hey Lexus" Voice Assistant, full-screen navigation on the digital gauge cluster, and EV Charge Management functions — including EV Routing and EV Range Map — to support seamless electric driving. 

The TZ is equipped with a premium 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. 

On safety, Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 offers advanced safety and convenience features. LSS+ 4.0 includes the latest versions of automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, and automatic high beams. In addition, the TZ comes standard with blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, and a safe exit assist system, which monitors for passing vehicles before allowing passengers to open doors. 

Drive Modes: Tuned for Every Mood

Drivers can choose from several different drive modes, including Normal, Sport, Eco, Range, and a unique Rear Comfort mode for a custom-tailored drive. The Rear Comfort mode prioritises comfort for rear-seat passengers. 

Pricing and On-Sale Date

Grade and pricing information for the all-new Lexus TZ will be available later in 2026. 

Consumer Reports estimates a starting price of $65,000 to $75,000, while other analysts suggest it could start at around $60,000 as a higher-end sibling to the Toyota Highlander BEV. 

The 2027 Lexus TZ will go on sale at the end of 2026 alongside the Toyota Highlander BEV. 

The Competition: Who Does the TZ Go Up Against?

The TZ competes directly with the Hyundai Ioniq 9, Kia EV9, Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, Rivian R1S, and Volvo EX90. When it arrives at dealerships, it will also compete directly with the Cadillac Vistiq and Lucid Gravity. 

Lexus is boldly entering a narrow, high-end niche with its three-row TZ. The TZ carves out a space among the automaker's other three-row offerings by stuffing it with more premium features, heavily skewed toward pampering passengers. Upscale interior trim, noise-damping trickery, and available features like ventilated seats with power ottomans push the SUV beyond the comforts afforded by mainstream brands. 

The One Thing It's Missing

Despite the overwhelmingly positive reception, critics and enthusiasts have zeroed in on one notable gap. The TZ charges at speeds of up to 150 kW, compared to the 800V, 350 kW charging systems now found in top competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 9 and Kia EV9. This means that while the 35-minute charge time from 10% to 80% is acceptable, it lags behind what the most advanced EVs in this price bracket can offer. The absence of a frunk and the 400V architecture rather than 800V are the two points auto journalists have flagged most prominently. 

The Bottom Line: A Game-Changer from Lexus

The 2027 Lexus TZ is a deeply impressive debut. It enters the three-row electric SUV segment not with a cautious, incremental step, but with a sweeping statement — bamboo trim from Shikoku Island, LFA V10 engine sounds, power ottomans in a family SUV, 300 miles of range, and a Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio system. It is a vehicle that takes everything Lexus does best — hushed refinement, obsessive attention to comfort, understated elegance, and driver engagement — and brings it fully into the electric age.

Lexus first talked about making a three-row EV in 2023, even showing off a few design models, but the production TZ has an updated look that makes it more distinct than just a rebadge job. The result is a vehicle that stands firmly on its own, and one that should give every rival in the premium three-row EV segment serious cause for concern when it rolls into dealerships at the end of 2026. 

Sources:

1. Lexus USA Newsroom (Official Reveal) — https://pressroom.lexus.com/all-electric-three-row-luxury-the-all-new-2027-lexus-tz/
2. Consumer Reports — https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/2027-lexus-tz-review-a7563209695/
3. Electrek — https://electrek.co/2026/05/07/lexus-reveals-3-row-luxury-ev-suv-missing-something-images/
4. GM Authority (Cadillac Vistiq Rival) — https://gmauthority.com/blog/2026/05/2027-lexus-tz-ev-debuts-as-cadillac-vistiq-rival/
5. Jalopnik (LFA Sound Feature) — https://www.jalopnik.com/2167228/2027-lexus-tz-three-row-electric-suv-reveal-lfa-v10-noises/
6. News247Plus (Specs Detail) — https://www.news247plus.com/news/business/north-america-waits-for-it-this-is-the-powerful-lexus-tz-2027-48720