On Thursday 7 May 2026, Lexus unveiled the Lexus TZ, the Japanese brand’s new large, all-electric SUV. It heralds a new vision of luxury for the Japanese manufacturer: transforming the car into a true ‘Driving Lounge’, a space designed as much for the journey as for the drive itself. With this 5.10-metre-long model and its three rows of seats, Lexus is not simply seeking to launch a new electric family SUV. Above all, the manufacturer wants to demonstrate how electrification can redefine the in-car experience, combining silence, comfort, refinement and immersive technologies.
A new chapter in Lexus’s electrification
The launch of the TZ is part of the far-reaching transformation Lexus has been undertaking for several years. Following the Lexus UX 300e, the Lexus RZ and the various hybrid models in the range, the brand is now stepping up its efforts in the premium all-electric vehicle segment.
The TZ is thus the largest electric SUV ever produced by Lexus and demonstrates the manufacturer’s ambition to move upmarket in the sector for large, premium electric family cars. The Japanese manufacturer is no longer just talking about electric mobility, but about a new way of travelling.
Chief Engineer Takeshi Miyaura sums up this philosophy:
“We have sought to offer a new Lexus experience (…) In addition to the traditional ‘seeing, riding and driving’ experience, we now offer the pleasure of ‘spending time’ inside the vehicle.”
An approach that stands in stark contrast to conventional electric SUVs, which often focus on performance or pure technology.
An SUV designed as a true ‘Driving Lounge’
At the heart of the TZ project lies this new concept, dubbed the ‘Driving Lounge’. The idea is simple: to transform the cabin into a premium relaxation space, inspired by traditional Japanese architecture and the principle of Omotenashi hospitality, which is so dear to Lexus.
In practical terms, the TZ features a six-seat layout with three rows of seats and two individual ‘captain’s’ seats in the second row.
In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 5.10 metres in length, 1.99 metres in width and 1.70 metres in height. These dimensions give the SUV a wheelbase of 3.05 metres, resulting in a particularly spacious interior. The press release states that the absence of a transmission tunnel or fuel tank has allowed the rear seats to be lowered, thereby improving passenger comfort.
Even the third row offers plenty of legroom and headroom – a feature that is rarely impressive in seven-seater electric SUVs. The large panoramic sunroof, billed as the largest ever fitted to a Lexus, plays a major part in creating this sense of space.
A high-tech and ultra-refined interior
Lexus goes to great lengths to perfect the interior ambience.
The TZ features a new generation of slimmer, more sculpted seats; those in the front and second rows are heated and ventilated, whilst the third row can also be fitted with heating, depending on the model.
The interior design takes a minimalist approach, featuring an extremely slim dashboard that incorporates the new ‘Responsive Hidden Switch’ controls. Hidden when not in use, they appear when a hand approaches the surface.
The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster works in conjunction with a 14-inch central multimedia screen based on the new Arene software platform.
In particular, the system enables connected cloud navigation;
- advanced management of electric vehicle journeys;
- smart charging planning;
- remote updates;
- a digital key that can be shared with six users;
- advanced streaming and connectivity features.
The package can be complemented by a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with 3D sound. This truly creates an interior designed for spending time in and for making every journey, long or short, a pleasant experience.
An exterior design that combines power and aerodynamics
Visually, the TZ boasts an imposing yet very fluid silhouette. Lexus refers to this as ‘Provocative Simplicity’, a new design direction that blends minimalist elegance with a confident presence.
Despite its substantial size, the aerodynamic design achieves a drag coefficient of just 0.27, which is particularly low for an SUV of this size.
The front end features the new Lexus design language, with a modernised interpretation of the grille and double-L light signatures. Viewed from the side, the semi-flush door handles, large, taut surfaces and aerodynamic 20- or 22-inch wheels reinforce the model’s premium feel. At the rear, the sloping roofline and flared wings give the TZ a very imposing, almost stately stance.
Up to 408 horsepower and a range of 530 kilometres
Let’s now turn to the technical specifications of this Lexus TZ. It will be available with two electric powertrains featuring DIRECT4 all-wheel drive.
The first will be the Lexus TZ 450e, which will produce 313 horsepower (230 kW). The second, the Lexus TZ 550e, will be equipped with a 408-horsepower (300 kW) engine and will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.4 seconds.
As for the battery, both versions are powered by the same 95.8 kWh lithium-ion battery. The claimed range varies between 480 and 530 kilometres, depending on the version.
When it comes to charging – a key factor for an EV – the SUV supports AC charging up to 22 kW and, more importantly, DC fast charging up to 150 kW. This means the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in around 35 minutes.
A driving experience designed with comfort as the top priority
Although the TZ produces up to 408 horsepower, Lexus places greater emphasis on comfort and control than on pure sportiness.
The SUV features a reinforced chassis, a specially designed suspension, rear-wheel steering, advanced electronic braking, and energy recovery with five adjustable settings.
The DIRECT4 system automatically distributes torque between the axles to improve stability and traction. It also features the ‘Interactive Manual Drive’ system, previously seen on the RZ, which simulates the operation of a virtual eight-speed manual gearbox.
Lexus aims to reinvent the large premium electric SUV
With the TZ, the Japanese manufacturer is seeking to offer an alternative that differs from the ultra-technological or highly showy approaches already on the market.
Whilst some competitors focus primarily on performance or maximum range, Lexus places the time spent on board, quietness, comfort and serenity at the heart of the project. A very Japanese vision of luxury that is now going electric. The TZ will go on sale in France in early 2027.
