If You Say Its Name Fast It Sounds like a Sneeze, but the Lexus TZ Is Actually a Three-Row EV SUV

Sep 28, 2026 · 10 min read

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By Drew Dorian

Overview

Following the launch of Toyota's all-electric Highlander EV three-row SUV, Lexus is following with the TZ450e, a more luxurious version. It has a futuristic exterior look with an EV version of Lexus's famous spindle grille design; the interior blends contemporary Lexus design with some environmentally-friendly trim materials, including bamboo and recycled aluminum.

A dual-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain combines two electric motors for 308 horsepower. Lexus estimates the driving range at up to 315 miles per charge with the largest battery pack, and the TZ450e can charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 35 minutes when hooked up to a 150-kW charging station.

Expert Tip: Subaru is also selling a version of this electric SUV called Getaway, and that one, while perhaps not as fancy as the Lexus, offers 420 horsepower, the most among the three variants.

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What's New for 2027?

The TZ is a new nameplate for the Lexus brand, and this new SUV will hit showrooms by the end of 2026 as a 2027 model.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

EV Motors: 308-hp dual motor
Drivetrain: all-wheel drive

So far, only a dual-motor powertrain has been announced. A pair of electric motors dole out 308 horsepower and provide all-wheel drive. Lexus will offer a dealer accessory for the Luxury trim level that increases horsepower to 402 hp. Lexus has included a feature that replicates the sound of the brand's iconic LFA supercar's V-10 engine, so if you tire of the typical EV whirring sounds, you can switch that on and live your sports car fantasy. A rear-axle steering system is optional, as is a Rear Comfort drive mode that aims to reduce pitching and lateral motion for rear-seat passengers.

0–60-MPH Times

Manufacturer’s Estimated 60-mph Time: 6.2–6.5 seconds

In Comparison: The TZ will likely be considerably slower than rivals such as the Cadillac Vistiq and Volvo EX90, both of which can get to 60 mph in under 4.0 seconds. Lexus hasn’t provided an estimate yet for models equipped with the the 402-hp Performance Upgrade. We’ll update this section once we’ve had the chance to test the TZ for ourselves.

Towing and Payload Capacity

Max Towing: 3500 pounds

Lexus says the TZ450e can tow up to 3500 pounds, which is typical of mid-size EVs with similar power. Expect the driving range to drop precipitously with a trailer attached, though.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

Claimed EV Range: 253–315 miles

Lexus claims the TZ450e will offer up to 315 miles per charge. The longest range estimates are for the Premium Touring, which comes with the larger of the two battery packs, a 96-kWh unit. The top Luxury trim level also has this battery pack but is estimated at 279 miles due to its larger wheels. A smaller 77-kWh battery is available in the base Premium trim, which is estimated at 253 miles. Charging time from 10 to 80 percent is claimed to be just 30 minutes on a 150-kW connection. An NACS charging port is standard.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: What differentiates the Lexus from its Toyota sibling is more premium interior materials and some unique design elements. A large panoramic sunroof is standard, and we see what looks like real wood trim and suede fabric swatches on the door panels and dashboard. Lexus says recycled aluminium and bamboo, both environmentally-friendly materials, have been used as well. Having sat inside both the Highlander EV and the Subaru Getaway, we can say that the front seats are comfortable and there's plenty of cubby space for phones, keys, wallets, snacks, and other tagalong items.

Second Row: A pair of captain's chairs in the second row provides seating for two, with plenty of space for adults to stretch out in comfort. You can even get pop-up ottomans for these chairs. A full list of available features hasn't yet been provided by Lexus, but we expect to see automatic climate controls for those in the rear seats.

Third Row: Two third row seats can be popped up when needed, but in our experience, we think the only riders that will find the third row accommodating are kids and adults on the smaller end of the height spectrum.

Cargo Capacity: We expect the TZ to offer a cargo area identical to that of the Highlander EV. That SUV offers a generous 45 cubic feet of storage with the third row folded. Like the Toyota, the Lexus is not expected to offer a front trunk.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Infotainment: 14.0-inch touchscreen, 12.3-inch digital gauge display
Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Audio System: 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo

A 14.0-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster make up the majority of the dashboard, and the touchscreen offers wireless smartphone-mirroring capability. On-board Wi-Fi with 5G connectivity, integrated audio streaming apps, and built-in navigation are all standard. The TZ features a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

Lexus offers a comprehensive list of standard driver-assistance features on every TZ model. More advanced features, including an automatic lane-change assistant, are available as options.

Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature, lane-keeping assist
Optional Safety Features: lane-change assist, rear pedestrian detection, traffic-jam assist

For information about the TZ's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Lexus provides a competitive limited warranty and an even better powertrain warranty. The automaker also includes a short period of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: six years or 70,000 miles
Battery Components: eight years or 100,000 miles
Complimentary Maintenance: one year or 10,000 miles

As more information becomes available, we'll update this story with more details about:

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

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