Welcome to the Lexus TZ: Posh six-seat SUV arrives with 330-mile range and 402bhp

May 7, 2026 George East

Almost out of nowhere, the wraps came off the Lexus TZ – a premium, six-seat all-electric SUV offering three rows of seats and a “driving lounge” experience promising “supreme comfort, quietness, and luxury”.

Lexus has yet to announce pricing and a fixed debut date for the TZ, but when it goes on sale in the UK next year, we know it will sit above the RZ in its model hierarchy as its flagship electric model.

Measuring 5.1 metres long, 1.9 metres wide, and 1.7 metres tall, the Lexus TZ can be considered a rival to the Kia EV9, Volvo EX90, Mercedes EQS SUV, and BMW iX.

Lexus TZ interior design

As with the upcoming ES electric saloon, the Lexus TZ adopts a minimalist cabin promising a “zen-like tranquillity” in its design. Beneath the centrally-mounted 14-inch touchscreen sits a row of ‘Hidden Switches’ that light up when touched.

Despite their flush finish, they return physical feedback when operated. A similar set-up is found on the left and right spokes of the steering wheel.

Ahead of the driver sits a 12.3-inch instrument display finished with a polarised film to reduce glare. Elsewhere around the TZ’s interior are a variety of materials, including Lexus’s new ‘bamboo layering’ trim panels.

Crafted using a Lexus-first film-layering technique, these look like natural bamboo in daylight and change to surface-illuminated colour patterns when synchronised with the vehicle’s ambient lighting system.

The Lexus TZ’s interior is built around the concept of a “driving lounge” and the Japanese hospitality principle of Omotenashi. This means three rows of seats, with the second featuring individual captain’s chairs and the third promising “generous head and leg room”.

Each row of seats is heated, with the first and second also benefiting from integrated ventilation. The front passenger and those in the middle row also get ottoman-style leg rests to build on the lounge experience.

Adding to the notion of the TZ being a space “where everyone can relax”, the TZ’s panoramic roof lets in floods of natural light and extends above all six seats. It’s the largest of its kind to be fitted to any Lexus model since the company was founded as Toyota’s luxury brand in 1989.

A 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system is available as an option. This 3D sound stage has a Position Mode that focuses on the rear cabin with dedicated rear-seat tuning.

What does it look like, then?

Lexus has fully dropped the sometimes overstyled appearance of its last generation of cars, and the TZ adopts a “Provocative Simplicity” design concept, which translates into “elegant with an edgy touch”.

Despite an almost monolithic combination of robust geometrics and sharp surfaces, the Lexus TZ boasts an impressive drag coefficient of 0.27Cd.

The Japanese carmaker has achieved “wind-cheating aerodynamic excellence” by incorporating clever touches such as semi-flush door handles and 20 or 22-inch aero wheels into the TZ’s design, depending on spec.

Up front, there is a new set of inward and outward-facing Lexus twin-L lights for the daytime runners and turn indicators, along with a huge panel grille. Around the back, a pair of L-shaped lamps sit on either side of the tailgate, while a lightbar finished with centrally positioned ‘Lexus’ wording completes the TZ’s commanding appearance.

Colour options will include monotone and bi-tone finishes, among them a new 3D-effect ‘Sonic Tellus’ khaki green pictured here.

Lexus TZ: Battery, driving, and tech

Euro-spec Lexus TZ models are available with just one choice of battery – a 95.8kWh unit, capable of up to 330 miles on a single charge. According to Lexus, the TZ has a maximum fast-charging rate of 150kW, translating into a 10-80% top-up time of around 35 minutes.

The TZ is available with just one powertrain choice: a 402bhp, twin-motor unit supported by Lexus’s Direct4 all-wheel-drive system that promises to deliver Lexus’s “signature quietness and comfort with a smooth, unified sense of control”. Despite weighing in at over two tonnes, the big Lexus can do the 0-62mph run in just 5.4 seconds.

Lexus offers the TZ with a Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS) system, allowing the rear wheels to turn up to four degrees in alignment with or in counter to the front wheels.

At low to medium speeds, this improves steering response and manoeuvring into tight spaces. At higher speeds, it improves stability. The DZ’s DRS system also reduces the turning radius from 5.8 to 5.4 metres.

To enhance driver engagement, the Lexus TZ comes with a simulated engine note and a matching eight-speed manual gearbox, which is operated via a pair of paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. These can also be used to switch between the five regen modes.

What’s next?

The Lexus TZ will debut sometime in 2027. When it does, we will update you accordingly. Between now and then, though, it will launch its first-ever, all-electric ES executive saloon.