- Toyota has filed trademarks with the European Intellectual Property Office (EIPO) for variations of the “TZ” name, as reported by InsideEVs.
- The trademarks include Lexus TZ450e and Lexus TZ550e, which we think are likely names for a fully electric alternative to the new three-row Lexus TX.
- The Lexus TZ will probably share a platform with Toyota’s upcoming three-row EV that’s expected to be called bZ5X and begin being built sometime in 2025.
It’s all but confirmed that Lexus has a three-row electric SUV in the works. What it will be called is still up in the air, however, it looks likely that such a model will wear the “TZ” badge. That speculation is based on trademark applications that Toyota recently filed with the European Intellectual Property Office (EIPO), which was reported by InsideEVs.
Among the applications that were filed earlier this week, Toyota applied for trademarks to “Lexus TZ450e” and “Lexus TZ550e.” The “T” in those names suggest it could be similar in size to the recently revealed Lexus TX, which features three rows of seats and three powertrains, including two hybrid setups. The “Z” is what Lexus uses to identify its fully electric models, such as the compact RZ SUV.
Perhaps more telling than either of those extrapolations regarding the potential body type and powertrain the Lexus TZ will have is the fact that Toyota has already announced plans to build a three-row electric SUV starting sometime in 2025. Based on the Toyota bZ5X concept, we expect the production model to share that name and its platform with an inevitable Lexus-branded version. Judging by today’s news, the latter will use the “TZ” prefix.
This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Senior Editor
Eric Stafford’s automobile addiction began before he could walk, and it has fueled his passion to write news, reviews, and more for Car and Driver since 2016. His aspiration growing up was to become a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like car collection. Apparently, getting rich is harder than social-media influencers make it seem, so he avoided financial success entirely to become an automotive journalist and drive new cars for a living. After earning a journalism degree at Central Michigan University and working at a daily newspaper, the years of basically burning money on failed project cars and lemon-flavored jalopies finally paid off when Car and Driver hired him. His garage currently includes a 2010 Acura RDX, a manual ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.