Happy Saturday! Welcome to this week’s edition of the Official DoubleClutch.ca News Rundown, where we recap the top automotive headlines from the week that was in one convenient package. Let’s go.
Lexus gets its version of the Highlander EV
First, the Toyota Highlander went electric. Then, Subaru jumped in with their version called the Getaway. Now, the 2027 Lexus TZ joins the electric three-row trio as the most bougie option of the bunch.
The 2027 TZ uses the same version of the TNGA platform as other Lexus, Toyota, and Subaru EVs, along with the same battery pack and electric motor configurations as the Highlander and Getaway EVs. Lexus hasn't announced final specs and figures, but says with the larger 96 kWh battery pack, the TZ can to up to 480 kilometres on a single charge. Those specs sound a lot like the Getaway's, so count on at least 420 horsepower.
The 2027 TZ bears a strong resemblance to the Highlander and Getaway — duh, they're all blocky, three-row electric SUVs built on the same platform — but the TZ wears an smoothed-out interpretation of Lexus' spindle grille up front. Honestly, it works.
Inside, the TX is available in one of three colourways, a bevy of upscale and sustainable materials, and electric ottomans for second-row passengers. Also standard will be a NACS charge port for fast-charging at Tesla Superchargers, as well as Lexus' full suite of driver and safety assists, though we've yet to see if it brings anything new to the table.
Pricing will be announced later this year, and Lexus expects these in showrooms by the end of the year.
Tesla's made-in-China Model 3s return for under $40K
As part of the federal government's easing of tariffs on China, the made-in-China 2027 Tesla Model 3 returns to Canada — and knocks the price down quite a bit.
For an MSRP of $39,490, you get a very grey rear-wheel-drive spaceship with more than enough range, and a surprisingly decent zero-to-100 km/h sprint of 5.2 seconds. Of course, everything is an option — an actual colour, like Marine Blue or Ultra Red, cost four figures.
As part of the current government's easing of tariffs, it will allow up to 49,000 Chinese EVs annually until 2030, at which that number grows to 70,000, all at a duty of 6.1 per cent. The last time we saw a Chinese-built Tesla imported into Canada was 2023.
And the rest
Honda didn't have a great week. Money's been tight ever since they pulled the plug on their EV plans, so that means things like a refreshed Accord or a redesigned Odyssey will have to wait until well past 2030.
On top of that, Honda will probably have to pump the brakes on its plant expansion in Alliston. That's a bummer, because that would've created a lot of good jobs.
