Fully electric Lexus TZ unveiled, will land in NZ next year

Lexus has today unveiled its new three-row, fully electric TZ SUV, and the model has already been greenlit for launch in New Zealand in early to mid 2027. 

Whilst its mechanicals are yet to be fully fleshed out by Lexus, the TZ is understood to share its platform with the recently revealed electric Toyota Highlander, a model that so far is only slated for production in left-hand drive. 

Lexus New Zealand vice president, Andrew Davis, sampled the TZ recently at the brand’s Shimoyama plant and test facility. 

“What stood out immediately was just how smooth and refined it felt. Because it’s built on a dedicated BEV platform, the weight distribution and low centre of gravity make it feel incredibly stable and composed on the road,” he said. 

“It really changes the way passengers experience long-distance SUV travel. Everything feels smoother, more natural and more calming, while the cabin itself feels less like a traditional SUV and more like a modern living space.”

The TZ will likely utilise the same pair of batteries offered in the Highlander EV; a 77kWh unit with a 462km range in FWD trims and 434km in AWD models, or a 95.8kWh unit with 515km of claimed range. 

These range figures might be irrelevant if the TZ comes with a more powerful powertrain than the Highlander, which uses the same hardware as the bZ4X — the flagship all-wheel drive model churning out 252kW/438Nm.

Inside, the TZ was developed with what Lexus calls its “driving lounge’ philosophy, with the brand doing everything it can to make the model feel like a sound living space inside. The cabin features sustainable materials like forged bamboo and recycled aluminium, and features “lounge-like comfort in every seat”. 

The TZ is the second fully electric nameplate to be confirmed for New Zealand in as many weeks, following the brand’s confirmation that the next-gen ES sedan will be offered here in both pure electric and hybrid forms. 

That said, the brand is still committed to a multi-pathway powertrain formula. 

“Our Lexus multi-powertrain approach remains important because customers are all on different journeys. The TZ sits at the fully electric end of that strategy and shows what’s possible when Lexus fully leverages the benefits of a dedicated BEV platform,” said Davis.

“This doesn’t feel like a traditional SUV. The comfort, refinement and technology make it feel more like a modern living space on wheels.”