Lexus has officially unveiled the TZ, the brand’s first all-electric three-row SUV, marking a significant expansion of its electrified line-up.

On sale in Europe from 2027 as a rival to the Volvo EX90, the Japanese brand’s new flagship will blend six-seat functionality with adult-size third-row seats, plus a new ‘Driving Lounge’ concept, ‘interactive manual drive’ and up to 530km (330 miles) of electric range.

The largest and most luxurious electric model the company has ever produced, the TZ will sit above the RZ. It’s based on the same TNGA platform as the upcoming Toyota Highlander EV and serves as a three-row electric counterpart to the petrol/hybrid Lexus TX launched exclusively in North America in 2023.

The exterior design merges “powerful SUV styling with sleek elegance” and energy-saving aerodynamic details.

The interior introduces the Driving Lounge concept for a new Lexus experience that “promotes natural relaxation” with the carmaker’s “signature quietness, refinement and ride comfort”. The atmosphere is intended to reflect the Zen-like tranquillity found in traditional Japanese homes and architecture.

Chief engineer Takeshi Miyaura said: “In addition to the Lexus experience of ‘seeing, riding and driving,’ we now offer the new value of ‘spending time’ inside the vehicle.”

The interior also embraces the use of sustainable materials in its “craftsmanship luxury”, including forged bamboo and recycled aluminium.

Up front, the driver and passenger seats adopt a new-generation Lexus design for a slim profile and a sculpted look, alongside greater support and comfort.

The second row features individual captain’s chairs while the third row offers “generous” head and leg room. The battery sits entirely beneath the floor and the lack of a fuel tank allows the rearmost seats to be set lower, which Lexus says means that even taller adults can sit and travel in full comfort. This also enables easier rear seat access, together with walk-in switches to forward-fold the outer second row seats, tread plates and assist grips.

The front- and second-row seats have integrated heating and ventilation, plus ottoman-style leg rests. The driver and front passenger also get under seat heaters to warm knees and lower legs, while seat heating is available in the third row.

The cabin also gets a panoramic roof that’s the largest yet for a Lexus, extending above all six seats.

Boot space ranges from 290 to 2,017 litres (VDA). With the third row of seats in place, there is space to carry four 55-litre or two 92-litre cases. The seats are foldable to create room to stow, for example, two bicycles or longer items.

The BEV powertrain provides “quiet, smooth performance that supports the Driving Lounge concept”. It’s based on the same system used in the Lexus RZ SUV and upcoming all-new ES luxury saloon, but with a higher-capacity battery and increased electric motor power from both the front and rear eAxles – the brand’s integrated, compact drive units – to boost power and performance. Each eAxle produces 268.6Nm of torque and total power stands at 408hp; good for 0-62mph in 5.4 seconds.

The TZ also features a larger lithium-ion battery with 95.8kWh capacity. Alongside the expected 530km (330-mile) range, it will be able to charge at up to 150kW DC, giving a 10-80% charge in some 35 minutes.

The new Lexus flagship also comes with the Interactive Manual Drive technology debuted in the RZ 550e F Sport and designed to bring the sensations of using a rapid-shift manual transmission to an electric vehicle. The technology equips the car with a virtual eight-speed transmission which generates shifts based on the driver’s use of the throttle and the vehicle’s speed. Driver can also select gears using paddle shifts.

Handling capabilities are supported by Lexus’s Direct4 all-wheel drive system. This automatically distributes drive torque between the front and rear axles, in line with the driving conditions and the selected drive mode, giving “linear, responsive acceleration and strong cornering performance”.

Drive modes include a new ‘Comfort’ option, focused on a smoother, composed ride for rear-seat passengers. It integrates Dynamic Rear Steering with optimum front-rear braking balance and the all-wheel-drive system to minimise unnecessary movement of the car’s body.

Onboard tech includes a hood-less driver’s instrument display with an asymmetric 12.3-inch screen, plus a central 14-inch multimedia screen.

Lexus will offer a range of new and enhanced information, navigation, security and convenience functions, delivered through a series of connected services bundles, available on subscription via the LexusLink+ app.

A Smart Digital Key+ will be available, integrated into the wallet on the owner’s smartphone or watch and shareable with up to six other users. Enhanced functionality allows the key to operate even if the NFC-compatible smartphone’s battery is depleted.

Full specifications and launch timings for individual markets will be revealed in the coming months.