Professionals: Class-leading passenger and cargo house; hybrid powertrains; Lexus dependability
Cons: Some irritating tech controls; it’s principally 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Be happy to name it the Lexus Texas, as a result of the 2024 Lexus TX is definitely sufficiently big to fulfill the outdated adage that the whole lot is greater within the Lone Star State. It’s undoubtedly the largest Lexus ever, when it comes to size and inside capability, if not weight. Whereas there have beforehand been three-row Lexus fashions, none have really supplied a 3rd row that’s particularly spacious or snug. The TX’s is just not solely that, it’s really probably the most spacious and comfy within the three-row luxurious crossover phase. The TX additionally has probably the most cargo house behind that row, by fairly a big margin, in reality.
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 undergo from comparatively cumbersome dynamics on-road in addition to much less space-efficient interiors. Their gasoline financial system can also be, nicely, dangerous. Not so the TX, which provides three environment friendly powertrains together with the TX 500h hybrid and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid. Put collectively this gasoline sipping with these jumbo proportions and the TX is inconceivable to disregard.
However must you take one dwelling? If there’s a fundamental motive for pause is that the TX is basically only a Toyota Grand Highlander with fancier paint, plusher inside supplies and upgraded hybrid powertrains. You’ll get the identical house and a lot of the identical 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 gained’t matter for some, perhaps it means it’s best to go to a Toyota seller as a substitute, perhaps you’ll be happier with a Volvo XC90 or Infiniti QX60 because of this. It’s as much as you.
Inside & Know-how | Passenger & Cargo Area | Efficiency & Gas Economic system
What it is prefer to drive | Pricing & Trim Ranges | Crash Rankings & 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 provides the same old impeccable Lexus construct high quality with plush supplies in every single place you look. Smooth-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, however it’s a minimum of 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 similar aside from being 14 inches as a substitute of 12. That added actual property is basically solely utilized by including the local weather controls to its purview, although. Every thing 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 suppose that’s a short lived desire?
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 via journey pc data within the conventional digital instrument panel. It’s complicated, distracting and a continuing supply of frustration made even worse should you’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 principally the identical dimensions because the Toyota Grand Highlander, which is likely one of the largest non-luxury crossovers. Consequently, its third row is spacious sufficient for adults and massive youngsters, whereas extra comfortably accommodating youngsters. One level of distinction, although: the TX solely has two seatbelts within the third row and due to this fact 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 evaluate 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 take a look at 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 gasoline financial system, vary and efficiency specs?
There are three fashions that correspond to totally 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 elective. Lexus says it’ll go from 0-60 mph in about 8 seconds, which is on the sluggish facet for a luxurious three-row crossover. EPA-estimated gasoline financial system is 20 miles per gallon metropolis, 26 mpg freeway and 23 mpg mixed with AWD and principally 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 standard six-speed automated transmission. A separate electrical motor powers the rear wheels, with as a lot as 80% of complete output going via the rear. That is basically totally 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 gasoline financial savings over the usual engine: 27 mpg metropolis, 28 mpg freeway and 27 mpg mixed. In case you do need extra of a gasoline sipper, the Grand Highlander is on the market with a extra standard and environment friendly hybrid powertrain.
Lastly, the TX 550h+ is a plug-in hybrid that can also 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 via an electronically management repeatedly variable transmission (sounds difficult, it’s). A separate electrical motor powers the rear axle, however it’s extra of a reactive system that responds largely to a lack of traction up entrance. Whole 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 could possibly 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 gasoline financial 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, cozy factor that you just pilot greater than drive. The steering is exact sufficient, the suspension composed sufficient and also you’re unlikely to note any dangerous habits. Principally, you’ll be hard-pressed to detect an considerable distinction between the TX 350 and the Grand Highlander. Additionally, even when it’s actually laborious to quantify, there’s simply one thing that doesn’t really feel as premium in regards to 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 decreasing physique roll and rising agility round tighter corners. It additionally has probably the most performance-oriented powertrain together with good gasoline financial system provided 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 phase. That leaves the hybrids as the proper place to look should you’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 college drop-offs and around-town errands, it’s distinctive, whereas its gasoline engine offers the long-legs wanted for highway journeys with out recharging worries. That stated, 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 Evaluation: The correct three-row SUV Lexus wanted
Options extra in-depth driving impressions of all three fashions, plus higher particulars about its engineering and design.
Lexus TX Baggage Take a look at: How a lot suits behind the third row?
The TX largely mirrors the distinctive efficiency of the Grand Highlander in our real-world cargo take a look at, 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 a much bigger infotainment display screen, plus nicer inside trappings, exterior paint and different refinements. There’s additionally extra gear obtainable to the higher TX trim ranges than Toyota provides, plus the unique plug-in hybrid powertrain possibility of the TX 550h+.
The TX options three fashions: TX 350, TX 500h and TX 550h+. Every of those corresponds to a unique powertrain, described above. Then there are trim ranges – base, Premium, Luxurious – that add rising ranges of apparatus. Solely the TX 350 has entry to all of them, nonetheless. The TX 550h+ is Luxurious solely; the TX 500h could be had as both the Premium or Luxurious, however with a compulsory and unique F Sport Efficiency package deal. This provides distinctive styling components inside and outside, sport seats and, most notably, an adaptive variable suspension and rear-wheel steering. It’s pictured under in silver.
All costs under embrace 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 automobiles, lane-keeping help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning, and adaptive cruise management with lane-centering steering help and “Curve Velocity Administration” that routinely reduces pace via corners. We’ve discovered this latter function could be irritating, if nicely 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 exams on the time of this writing. So far, it acquired a second-best rating of “Acceptable” within the “small overlap entrance: driver facet” take a look at and prime “Good” scores for the passenger facet model of that take a look at plus the “average overlap entrance: authentic take a look at” and “facet: up to date take a look at.”
