Large seven-seat SUVs are common among luxury brands, but they are much rarer among electric vehicles (EVs).
Lexus was spied testing a new SUV that is expected to carry the TZ nameplate and to take on competitors like the Cadillac Vistiq and the Volvo EX90 – but not yet brands like Audi, BMW or Porsche.
Toyota unveiled the Lexus Electrified SUV and Toyota bZ Large SUV concepts in 2021, with the two SUVs appearing to share the same body but with different front and rear designs.
With Daily Sparkz you can save thousands on a new car. Click Here to get a great deal.
The Toyota concept gave rise to the six/seven-seat Highlander electric SUV, which was introduced at the beginning of the year and saw little change in the transition to production vehicle.
Now Lexus has been spotted testing a large SUV at the Nurburgring, and through the camouflage we can see that it looks a lot like the Lexus Electrified SUV concept.
It’s unclear how much the production Lexus will ultimately resemble the Toyota Highlander.
Lexus’ current flagship crossover SUV is the left-hand drive hybrid and plug-in hybrid TX, which is very similar to the related (and also left-hand drive only) Toyota Grand Highlander.
Toyota’s premium brand trademarked the TZ450e and TZ550e nameplates in 2023, which fits well with the existing RZ electric SUV and the combustion-powered RX TX.
Japanese website Best Car Web has also reported that an “electric version” of the TX will be launched in Japan this year, which could mean a right-hand drive version of the new Lexus large SUV will arrive. While Japan is a right-hand drive market, new left-hand drive vehicles can be sold there. However, the report notes that the new Lexus will be made in Japan, which almost certainly means right-hand drive production.
However, the US-built Toyota Highlander EV and its twin brother the Subaru Getaway have yet to be confirmed for right-hand drive.
The outlet reports that the Lexus will offer dual-motor all-wheel drive and a 74kWh battery, as well as an overall length of 5100mm and an overall width of 1995mm on a 3050mm wheelbase – making it 50mm longer than the Highlander EV and slightly wider, but with the same wheelbase.
The TZ could borrow its powertrains from the smaller Lexus RZ or the Toyota Highlander EV/Subaru Getaway duo.
The recently updated RZ range is available in Australia in RZ500e and RZ550e variants, with an RZ600e F Sport Performance variant following later in 2026.
The RZ500e features dual-motor all-wheel drive, delivering 280kW of power and 537Nm of torque, powered by a 74.7kWh battery and offering a WLTP range of 460km.
The RZ550e is upgraded to a 77kWh battery and 300kW dual-motor powertrain, but the range drops to 437km. The RZ600e delivers 313 kW.
The Highlander EV, meanwhile, is available in 165kW/269Nm single-motor front-wheel drive and 252kW/438Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive variants, with a standard 77kWh battery offering a range of 462km and 434km respectively. Toyota will also offer the Highlander EV with a larger 95.8 kWh battery, providing a range of 415 km.
Should Lexus’ flagship electric SUV go on sale in Australia, it’s unclear how much it would cost here.
The Cadillac Vistiq will launch this year in a single, full-size, six-seat Platinum trim priced from $116,000 before on-road costs, while the seven-seat Volvo EX90 range starts at $124,990 before on-road costs.
MORE: Explore the Lexus showroom
