‘Living space on wheels’
Lexus has unveiled the all-new TZ, the marque’s first three-row fully electric SUV developed on a dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform.
Andrew Davis, vice-president of Lexus New Zealand, who experienced the model in Shimoyama, Japan, ahead of its global reveal, says: “The TZ redefines what a luxury SUV can feel like.
“What stood out was how smooth and refined it felt. The weight distribution and low centre of gravity make it feel stable and composed on the road, and it changes the way passengers experience long-distance SUV travel.
“Everything feels smoother, more natural and calming, while the cabin feels less like a traditional SUV and more like a modern living space.”
Developed under the concept of “driving lounge”, the TZ prioritises people and shared experiences with a spacious interior. A newly developed platform, slim panoramic roof and quietness combine “to create an open and calming cabin environment”.
Davis adds: “Our multi-powertrain approach is important because customers are on different journeys. The TZ sits at the fully electric end of that strategy and shows what’s possible when Lexus leverages the benefits of a dedicated BEV platform.
“This doesn’t feel like a traditional SUV. The comfort, refinement and technology make it feel more like a modern living space on wheels.”
More information and specification details will be released closer to the local launch in early 2027, but here are some of the TZ’s main features as highlighted by the marque.
Lexus describes the TZ as having a “lounge-like space that enables passengers’ full relaxation”. It adds the “driving lounge” concept creates a “comfortable cabin space with Lexus top-level quietness achieved through sound directivity control to create a natural acoustic environment.
“Rear comfort” mode prioritises rear-seat comfort by using a combination of hardware and software electrification technologies, while interactive manual drive “deepens enjoyable, exhilarating interactions between driver and vehicle”.
TZ’s design represents a “fusion of simplicity and sharpness, pursuing the distinctive character and presence unique to Lexus. Its spindle body and geometric graphics express functional beauty while delivering high aerodynamic performance”.
Sustainable materials, such as forged bamboo and recycled aluminium, are used, while the SUV’s circular vehicle development incorporates manufacturing processes designed to minimise environmental impact.
