2027
Lexus TZ

The TZ looks very much like what one would expect: TX proportions and styling mixed with a grille-less front fascia and trendy lighting. The distinctive rear roof pillar draws a clear visual connection to the three-row TX.

The fenders bulge out in a more muscular fashion, giving a fair nod to what promises to be invigorating performance.

Overall length between the two models is similar, and the width is identical. The differences are the TZ’s lower height and its longer wheelbase, which should aid interior packaging.

The TZ rides on 20-inch wheels, or available 22-inch wheels, each designed to reduce sound transmission to the cabin.

The dash is refreshingly modern and straightforward, without resorting to massive screens. There is a digital instrument panel and a separate center screen, home to the latest Lexus infotainment system.

It uses customizable widgets, allowing the driver to configure the screens to emphasize the most commonly used features. In addition to fresh graphics and quicker response times, the system features an updated voice assistant and can project navigation guidance onto the instrument panel. There are EV-related functions to monitor range, charging, and provide EV-appropriate navigational aid.

It has wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with SiriusXM 360L and Spotify. A 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo is offered.

There is a phone shelf with three handy USB-C ports.

It appears that physical controls are scarce. We will be interested to see how well the various touch-capacitive buttons work. In our experience, they look elegant in general, but they can be more difficult to use while driving.

The front console provides pass-through storage under the cup holders.

The rear center console features a two-tier tray, and the console is removable to provide access to the third row. Otherwise, rear passengers can motor a second-row seat forward and climb in behind it.

The front and second-row seating are available with cooling ventilation and power ottomans, a Lexus first. All seats are heated.

The TZ offers two battery sizes, 77-kilowatt-hour and 95.8-kWh, with a Lexus-estimated 300-mile maximum range. Each version will be all-wheel drive and use dual electric motors.

Power details have not been released, but with the same-sized battery packs, the Highlander is available with 221 hp and 338 hp. Safe to assume Lexus will offer greater punch, making it more similar to the 420-hp output with the dual-motor Subaru Getaway.

The motorized charge port door slides to the side, rather than flipping open, to accommodate tight spaces. It exposes a North American Charging Standard (NACS) port.

The driver-selectable modes include Normal, Sport, Eco, Range, and Rear Comfort, a clever feature that adjusts the rear steering, brake force, and acceleration to smooth body motions. This sounds like something passengers would appreciate.

The dynamic rear steering aids low-speed maneuverability and high-speed stability, allowing the rear wheels to turn up to 4 degrees.

The TZ is equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 4.0 (LSS+ 4.0) suite of active safety and driver assistance features. This is the latest-generation equipment that debuts on the Lexus ES, with updated hardware and improved sensors. The automaker explains that these upgrades expand the scenarios that the safety systems can monitor and react to.

LSS+ 4.0 includes the latest versions of automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, and automatic high beams. In addition, the TZ comes standard with blind spot warning, rear cross traffic warning, and a safe exit assist system, which monitors for passing vehicles before it allows passengers to open the doors when parked, for example, on a city street.