Lexus is now in the market for electric SUVs with three rows of seating with the new 2027 Lexus TZ.
The TZ is a bigger, more sensible EV in the range, and it’s about much more than simply adding a third row of seats; it’s about changing how a Lexus EV feels, particularly for those who need space without sacrificing comfort or how the vehicle handles.
The TZ uses Lexus’ TNGA platform and introduces what the company calls a “Driving Lounge” concept – in other words, the interior is designed to feel more like a living room than a typical SUV cabin.
This begins with the layout. Because it’s an electric vehicle, the TZ has a low floor and a long distance between the wheels, which creates more room in all three rows. Lexus says their aim was to make a cabin where everyone, not just those in the front, is equally comfortable.
Second-row captain’s chairs, a very large panoramic sunroof, and a more open dashboard all add to the spacious feeling, and features like power ottomans and ventilated seats in the second row make the experience more like that of a top-of-the-line SUV.
As with most electric vehicles, the lack of engine noise puts more importance on how quiet the cabin is, and Lexus has clearly focused on this.
The TZ is built to be one of the quietest SUVs Lexus makes, using materials that absorb sound, aerodynamically shaped mirrors, and design details that reduce vibration to minimise wind and road noise.
Even the seats have been redesigned. The front seats are intended to be supportive and comfortable, and the third row has more of a ‘sofa-like’ cushion, something often overlooked in SUVs with three rows.
The 2027 Lexus TZ will be available with two battery sizes – 76.96 kWh and 95.82 kWh – and a newer version of Lexus’ DIRECT4 all-wheel drive system.
This system actively changes how much power goes to the front and back wheels depending on how you’re driving.
Lexus hasn’t yet given out exact range figures, but it estimates that some versions will have 300 miles of range.
Inside, the TZ features Lexus’ latest information system, with faster processing, clearer graphics, and built-in 5G connectivity. There’s also a greater emphasis on features specific to electric vehicles. Drivers get things like planning routes for EVs, maps showing the range, and controlling the charging, all built into the system to make longer journeys simpler.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included as standard, and you can also have a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and interior lights with colors based on Japanese designs.
Lexus is also using the TZ to take its environmental work a little further.
The interior uses materials like Forged Bamboo trim from Japan, UltraSuede made from biological sources, and recycled aluminum parts. Even the way the seats are constructed has been created to lessen the effect on the environment.
The TZ comes with Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 as standard, the latest version of the brand’s set of driver assistance features.
This includes improved features like better pre-collision detection, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and new systems designed to work more effectively in busy city centers.
Lexus says the system can now ‘see’ further and react more naturally, to make everyday driving less stressful without being too noticeable.
The 2027 Lexus TZ is slated to go on sale before the end of 2026.
