Lexus TZ three-row electric SUV revealed! Could a Japanese launch preview a right-hook Kluger electric?

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Lexus Australia has revealed a bespoke-platformed, global market large electric SUV, known as TZ. 

Sitting a peg above the RZ in size, luxury and price, the circa five-metre-long TZ will feature three-row ‘captains chair’ seating, a large 95.8kWh battery, and a “driving lounge” design philosophy aiming to promote comfort, space, and quiet.

It’s tipped to produce a combined output of 300kW – split between two electric motors each producing 167kW and 269Nm – and claims a 0-100km sprint time of 5.4 seconds. Combined driving range is quoted at 620km (WLTP) driving on 20-inch wheels or 530km with larger 22s.

In Japan, the TZ will offer a choice of two lithium-ion batteries – a colossal 95.8kWh unit or smaller 76.96kWh unit, each said to charge from 10-80 percent between 25 and 35 minutes. It’s unclear if the smaller-batteried TZ will be limited to front-wheel drive.

TZ measures 5100mm long, 1990mm wide, and 1705mm tall, driving on an extended 3050mm wheelbase. It weighs a whopping 2630kg, and is similar in size to the Toyota LandCruiser 300.

Keen-eyed readers may notice TZ’s sheer similarity to the recently announced Toyota Kluger EV (known as Highlander EV in its US home market). Indeed, both the Lexus TZ and Toyota Kluger Electric share the same ‘TNGA-K’ platform, battery options, charge times, and similar external dimensions.

But unlike Kluger electric, the TZ still has prospects to come to Australia, with the LX-sized EV slated to first launch in Japan between December and February, followed by international markets later on in 2027. 

A Japanese market launch is good news, with the prospect of Japanese manufacturing and (likely) right-hand drive all-but determining the TZ’s future for local markets. Moreover, right-hook assembly of the TZ could pave the way for an Oz-market electric Kluger.

Sister company Toyota unveiled its three-row EV to the North American market just three months ago, then claiming the vehicle would be US-exclusive, and left-hand-drive only. 

But with right-hand-drive assembly on the cards, Toyota has a chance to provide a two-prong solution by adapting its Kluger Electric to Australian appetitives. As previously reported by Chasing Cars, the TNGA-K platform could also underpin a redesigned plugless hybrid variant.

A new Kluger would serve as a replacement to the now five-year-old petrol car, as well as providing an answer to rivals Kia, Hyundai, and more recently, Tesla, all of which locally offer three-row electric SUVs for large, EV-curious families. 

More information regarding Toyota’s electric Kluger can be found in our separate article.