Toyota’s luxury brand, Lexus, introduced its first all-electric three-row SUV, set to go head-to-head with the Hyundai IONIQ 9, Volvo EX90, and Rivian R1S. The new 2027 Lexus TZ looks nice, but it’s missing one thing.
The Lexus TZ debuts as new 3-row luxury electric SUV
We had an idea it was coming after Lexus dropped a few teasers of the larger SUV, leading up to its official debut on Thursday.
The 2027 Lexus TZ is the luxury brand’s first all-electric three-row SUV and sibling to the Toyota Highlander BEV due out later this year.
Based on the same TNGA platform, the TZ will be available with two lithium-ion battery options: 76.96 kWh and 95.82 kWh, which Lexus said will provide a driving range of up to 300 miles on a single charge.
Unlike Toyota’s three-row electric SUV, the Lexus TZ will be equipped with its upgraded DIRECT4 AWD system as standard on all trims. The system optimizes torque distribution to improve control around corners and acceleration.
The AWD setup delivers up to 420 horsepower and can tow up to 3,500 lbs. In comparison, the Hyundai IONIQ 9 offers a towing capacity of up to 5,000 lbs for AWD models.
Drivers can choose from several different drive modes, including normal, sport, eco, range, and rear comfort for a custom-tailored drive.
The interior introduces a new Driving Lounge concept that Lexus said “redefines the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) three-row SUV by balancing lounge-like comfort with Lexus’ signature driving enjoyment.”
Redefining the three-row electric SUV
The 2027 TZ debuts the latest Lexus Interface multimedia system, which now offers customizable widgets, an improved “Hey Lexus” Voice Assistant, full-screen navigation on the digital cluster, plus new EV Charging functions, including EV Routing and EV Range Map.
With added sound-absorbing materials, a reinforced body structure, and a modified suspension system, the TZ has the quietest interior of any Lexus SUV to date.
To top it off, the luxury three-row electric SUV is equipped with a premium 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
Similar to Hyundai’s performance EV, the IONIQ 5 N, the Lexus TZ features Active Sound Control (ASC) that replicates the feeling and sound of a gas engine shifting.
The front passenger and second row captain’s seats offer ventilation and power ottomans, a first for a Lexus SUV. With the touch of a button, the second and third-row seats fold into the floor, opening up space to store larger items.
Set to go on sale by the end of 2026, prices coming soon
At 200.8″ long, 78.3″ wide, and 67.1″ tall, with a wheelbase of 120.1″, the electric Lexus TZ is about the same size as the Hyundai IONIQ 9 and Volvo EX90. It offers a maximum cargo capacity of 13.8 ft³.
With charging speeds up to 150 kW, the three-row electric SUV can recharge from 10% to 80% in around 35 minutes. The US-spec 2027 Lexus TZ is equipped with an NACS port, enabling drivers to access Tesla’s vast Supercharger network. It also debuts the first Lexus 2-in-1 charge port with side-by-side AC and DC connectors.
While the new TZ can’t drive itself like many EVs nowadays, it does come with the latest Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 (LSS+ 4.0) as standard. The ADAS suite includes safety and convenience features such as: Lane Change Assist, Front Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, and more.
Strangely, the electric SUV does not include a front trunk, or frunk, as shown in the images above. Like the 2026 Ford Mustang Mach-E, it could be offered as an upgrade at an extra cost.
The 2027 Lexus TZ will go on sale at the end of 2026 alongside the Toyota Highlander BEV. We will learn prices later this year, but the three-row electric SUV is expected to start at about $60,000 as a higher-end sibling to the Highlander.
At that, it would be about the same as the IONIQ 9, but more affordable than most luxury three-row EVs like the Volvo EX90, Rivian R1S, and Lucid Gravity.
What do you think of the first all-electric Lexus three-row SUV? Would you buy one over the IONIQ 9 or EX90? Let us know in the comments.
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