Professionals: Class-leading passenger and cargo house; hybrid powertrains; Lexus dependability
Cons: Some irritating tech controls; it’s mainly a flowery Grand Highlander; droning TX 550h+ engine
Be happy to name it the Lexus Texas, as a result of the 2024 Lexus TX is definitely large enough to fulfill the outdated adage that all the things is greater within the Lone Star State. It’s positively the most important Lexus ever, when it comes to size and inside capability, if not weight. Whereas there have beforehand been three-row Lexus fashions, none have truly supplied a 3rd row that’s particularly spacious or snug. The TX’s just isn’t solely that, it’s truly essentially the most spacious and comfy within the three-row luxurious crossover section. The TX additionally has essentially the most cargo house behind that row, by fairly a big margin, in actual fact.
So it’s large, and it’s a crossover, not like the truck-based Lexus GX and LX fashions which may be swell off-road however endure from comparatively cumbersome dynamics on-road in addition to much less space-efficient interiors. Their gas economic system can be, properly, unhealthy. Not so the TX, which gives three environment friendly powertrains together with the TX 500h hybrid and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid. Put collectively this gas sipping with these jumbo proportions and the TX is not possible to disregard.
However must you take one residence? If there’s a important purpose for pause is that the TX is absolutely only a Toyota Grand Highlander with fancier paint, plusher inside supplies and upgraded hybrid powertrains. You’ll get the identical house and many of the similar options, most notably the equally irritating infotainment system, in its Toyota sibling. The TX even appears to be like extra just like the Grand Highlander than it does different Lexus fashions. Perhaps this shared DNA received’t matter for some, possibly it means it is best to go to a Toyota seller as an alternative, possibly you’ll be happier with a Volvo XC90 or Infiniti QX60 in consequence. It’s as much as you.
Inside & Expertise | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gasoline Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Scores & Security Options
What’s new for 2024?
The TX is an all-new mannequin.
What are the Lexus TX inside and in-car expertise like?
The TX gives the standard impeccable Lexus construct high quality with plush supplies in every single place you look. Comfortable-padded simulated leather-based or suede are in every single place, whereas the switchgear is prime notch. We don’t fairly perceive the benefit of the bizarre, detachable cup-cubes that may transfer between the entrance and rear consoles, but it surely’s no less than a key level of distinction between the TX’s inside performance and the Grand Highlander’s.
There definitely isn’t a lot of a distinction when it comes to the touchscreen infotainment system, which is equivalent aside from being 14 inches as an alternative of 12. That added actual property is absolutely solely utilized by including the local weather controls to its purview, although. Every part else is cut-and-paste, together with the often-frustrating radio controls and the navigation system that defaults again to forward-up view each time you turn to a different menu. If the driving force selects North Up, why does Lexus/Toyota assume that’s a short lived choice?
A lot, a lot worse are the unlabeled steering wheel buttons that require you to have a look at the head-up show to see what they’re controlling. You even have to make use of them to cycle by journey laptop data within the conventional digital instrument panel. It’s complicated, distracting and a continuing supply of frustration made even worse if you happen to’re sporting polarized sun shades.
How large is the Lexus TX?
Three-row luxurious crossovers have historically been much less spacious than their non-luxury counterparts. Not so the Lexus TX. It has mainly the identical dimensions because the Toyota Grand Highlander, which is likely one of the largest non-luxury crossovers. Because of this, its third row is spacious sufficient for adults and massive youngsters, whereas extra comfortably accommodating kids. One level of distinction, although: the TX solely has two seatbelts within the third row and subsequently a most of seven passengers (or six with second-row captain’s chairs). The Grand Highlander is 8/7 relying on the second-row. And must you be questioning about how the Lexus GX and LX examine to the TX when it comes to inside house, the reply is, they’re not even shut.
Cargo house is equally best-in-class. Certainly, the TX swallowed all six suitcases of our standardized baggage check behind its raised third row – a feat matched solely by the Grand Highlander, Jeep Wagoneer and extended-length truck-based SUVs.
What are the Lexus TX gas economic system, vary and efficiency specs?
There are three fashions that correspond to completely different powertrains: TX 350, TX 500h and TX 550h+.
The TX 350 is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-four that produces 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It’s paired with an eight-speed automated; front-wheel drive is normal and all-wheel drive optionally available. Lexus says it’ll go from 0-60 mph in about 8 seconds, which is on the gradual facet for a luxurious three-row crossover. EPA-estimated gas economic system is 20 miles per gallon metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed with AWD and mainly the identical at 21/27/23 with FWD.
The TX 500h is all-wheel-drive-only. It has a particular hybrid system often known as Direct4 that makes use of a single electrical motor sandwiched between the two.4-liter turbo engine and a traditional six-speed automated transmission. A separate electrical motor powers the rear wheels, with as a lot as 80% of complete output going by the rear. That is basically completely different than different Toyota/Lexus hybrids, and it ends in a extra regular and performance-oriented driving expertise. Its output is 366 hp and 309 lb-ft of torque, and it hits 60 mph in 6.1 seconds. It additionally doesn’t end in as a lot gas financial savings over the usual engine: 27 mpg metropolis, 28 mpg freeway and 27 mpg mixed. When you do need extra of a gas sipper, the Grand Highlander is obtainable with a extra typical and environment friendly hybrid powertrain.
Lastly, the TX 550h+ is a plug-in hybrid that can be AWD-only. It does work equally to the Toyota/Lexus norm, with an engine (a 3.5-liter V6) and electrical motor up entrance working in live performance by an electronically management constantly variable transmission (sounds difficult, it’s). A separate electrical motor powers the rear axle, but it surely’s extra of a reactive system that responds largely to a lack of traction up entrance. Complete output is 404 horsepower and it hits 60 mph in 5.9 seconds with each the engine and plug-in battery pitching in. Like different plug-in hybrids, it might probably journey utilizing electrical energy alone for 33 miles. Thereafter, it behaves like a typical Lexus hybrid with the V6 being supported by the electrical motor. Estimated gas economic system is 29 mpg metropolis, 28 mpg freeway and 29 mpg mixed, so it actually pays to cost up at evening and use that e vary.
What is the TX prefer to drive?
The TX is an enormous, comfortable factor that you simply pilot greater than drive. The steering is exact sufficient, the suspension composed sufficient and also you’re unlikely to note any unhealthy habits. Mainly, you’ll be hard-pressed to detect an considerable distinction between the TX 350 and the Grand Highlander. Additionally, even when it’s actually exhausting to quantify, there’s simply one thing that doesn’t really feel as premium concerning the driving expertise as what you’d discover in an Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Genesis GV80 or Volvo XC90. The primary exception could be the TX 500h (pictured above). It comes solely with the F Sport Efficiency package deal, which provides an adaptive suspension and rear-wheel steering that considerably enhance dealing with by lowering physique roll and growing agility round tighter corners. It additionally has essentially the most performance-oriented powertrain together with good gas economic system on condition that efficiency.
Extra to that time, your powertrain alternative will alter the driving expertise significantly, particularly when compared to the Grand Highlander and most of these rival three-row SUVs. The TX 350’s turbo engine is actually what you get in its Toyota sibling, and on paper, its efficiency underwhelms for the section. That leaves the hybrids as the proper place to look if you happen to’re within the TX at its best and fascinating. Past the 500h described above, the TX 550h+ is likely one of the solely luxurious three-row plug-in hybrids, together with the Volvo XC90 and Mazda CX-90. There’s one thing very satisfying about cruising silently alongside utilizing electrical energy alone with three rows of passengers aboard. For varsity drop-offs and around-town errands, it’s distinctive, whereas its fuel engine supplies the long-legs wanted for highway journeys with out recharging worries. That mentioned, refinement and inside noise take an enormous hit as soon as the electrical vary runs out. The e-CVT makes the V6 drone loudly because it does in different Lexus/Toyota hybrids.
What different Lexus TX critiques can I learn?
2024 Lexus TX First Drive Assessment: The right three-row SUV Lexus wanted
Options extra in-depth driving impressions of all three fashions, plus larger particulars about its engineering and design.
Lexus TX Baggage Take a look at: How a lot matches behind the third row?
The TX largely mirrors the distinctive efficiency of the Grand Highlander in our real-world cargo check, and divulges itself to have best-in-class house behind the third row.
What’s the 2024 Lexus TX value?
Pricing begins at $55,050 for the TX 350 with front-wheel drive, which is about $10,000 than the well-equipped base Grand Highlander with the identical powertrain. The TX has a bit extra gear, most notably an even bigger infotainment display, plus nicer inside trappings, exterior paint and different refinements. There’s additionally extra gear obtainable to the higher TX trim ranges than Toyota gives, plus the unique plug-in hybrid powertrain choice of the TX 550h+.
The TX options three fashions: TX 350, TX 500h and TX 550h+. Every of those corresponds to a special powertrain, described above. Then there are trim ranges – base, Premium, Luxurious – that add growing ranges of apparatus. Solely the TX 350 has entry to all of them, nevertheless. The TX 550h+ is Luxurious solely; the TX 500h might be had as both the Premium or Luxurious, however with a compulsory and unique F Sport Efficiency package deal. This provides distinctive styling components in and out, sport seats and, most notably, an adaptive variable suspension and rear-wheel steering. It’s pictured beneath in silver.
All costs beneath embody the $1,350 vacation spot cost.
TX 350: $56,400
TX 350 AWD: $57,910
TX 350 Premium: $59,800
TX 350 Premium AWD: $61,400
TX 350 Luxurious: $62,300
TX 350 Luxurious AWD: $63,900
TX 500h F Sport Efficiency Premium AWD: $70,700
TX 500h F Sport Efficiency Luxurious AWD: $74,000
TX 550h+ Luxurious AWD: $79,400
TX 500h F Sport Efficiency and TX 350 Luxurious
What are the Lexus TX security rankings and driver help options?
Each 2024 TX mannequin consists of ahead collision warning with pedestrian detection and automated emergency braking, an intersection assist that detects cross-traffic of pedestrians and autos, lane-keeping help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise management with lane-centering steering help and “Curve Speed Management” that mechanically reduces pace by corners. We’ve discovered this latter characteristic might be irritating, if properly intentioned. We additionally discover the adaptive cruise management’s performance to be considerably impaired by the obtuse steering wheel/head-up show controls.
The Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security hadn’t submitted the TX to the complete assortment of assessments on the time of this writing. Up to now, it obtained a second-best rating of “Acceptable” within the “small overlap front: driver side” check and prime “Good” scores for the passenger facet model of that check plus the “moderate overlap front: original test” and “side: updated test.”