It’s far from the nicest cabin in the class, but it wins on space and efficiency, as we found in our test drive.

For years, a three-row household crossover was lacking from the Lexus lineup. Positive, the GX and LX each supplied a 3rd row, however their truck-based platforms made them much less sensible as folks/cargo haulers. The RX-L tried its greatest to fill this gap in Lexus’ product portfolio, however it was additionally too cramped and compromised and died out in 2022. Enter the 2024 Lexus TX and TX Hybrid, the primary devoted three-row mid-size crossover from the Japanese luxurious model.

Although it isn’t priced like a flagship, the TX is now the biggest Lexus automobile, stretching past even the LX 600. That substantial dimension ends in a crossover that may carry as much as seven passengers comfortably with room for his or her baggage. And the TX is not simply bigger than its Lexus siblings, its underpinnings from the Toyota Grand Highlander make it one of the crucial spacious automobiles in its class.

Lexus does not skimp on powertrain choices for the TX; it is bought with a turbocharged fuel engine, a traditional hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid. DrivingOnRoad just lately spent every week driving the TX 550h+, the PHEV variant, to learn how properly it fulfills the mission of luxurious however environment friendly household transportation. In some respects, the TX shines as a fuel-sipping folks hauler, however it’s not good.

Exterior: Lexus Design Accomplished Large

In contrast to the boxy and rugged GX, Lexus did not stray too removed from its acquainted design with the TX. It is a three-row household crossover with a large body-color Lexus Spindle Grille up entrance, albeit modernized, and the brand new signature related mild bar on the again.

The colour palette is bleak; Lexus should assume mother and father do not wish to stand out when taking the children to high school. Wind Chill Pearl (white), Celestial Silver Metallic, Caviar (black), and Dusk Mica (blue) are all no-cost, whereas Cloudburst Grey provides $500. Out there solely on the TX 500h F Sport Efficiency, a flat shade of grey known as Incognito is borrowed from the IS 500 sport sedan. Failing to supply the superb Copper Crest from the RX here’s a punishable offense.

Although we might by no means describe it as “aggressive,” the TX could be known as barely sporty in look. The bottom TX 350 rides on 20-inch wheels with the choice to step as much as 22-inch ones for $2,140. These are the identical wheels that come commonplace on the TX 550h+ we had on take a look at (pictured right here), which look premium and splendid with a darkish silver end. The TX 500h F Sport Efficiency appears to be like probably the most fascinating of the bunch with distinctive 22-inch cut up five-spoke wheels in a darkish grey and black end.

To get a full scope of the TX, you could know the place it stacks up in opposition to the competitors and different Lexus fashions by way of dimension – it is a huge automobile. It’s longer than nearly all the pieces in its class, and it has an extended wheelbase. Solely the outgoing Buick Enclave outmatches the TX in dimension, however it competes at a barely cheaper price. Buick hasn’t shared dimensions for the recently-revealed 2025 Enclave facelift, however it will likely be bigger than the TX.

Inside: Grander Highlander

The TX’s large dimension interprets to a roomy inside, the place each passenger has extra space than any earlier Lexus crossover as a result of it shares a platform with the equally spacious Grand Highlander. That platform sharing is useful for inside quantity and ergonomics, however it may be felt if you begin touching stuff. Nothing within the TX’s cabin feels outright low cost or ugly, however it does not essentially stand out in comparison with its Toyota sibling.

Your inside selections boil right down to both all black or a black/white mixture that Lexus calls Birch. The latter goes an extended method to brightening up the cabin, however there are nonetheless huge surfaces coated by swaths of leather-based or different supplies with none colours or sew patterns to interrupt them up. By comparability, the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60 do a much better job standing out from their Honda and Nissan counterparts with intricate leather-based distinction stitching, and distinctive materials utilization. The TX is not unhealthy, per se. Perhaps the Grand Highlander is simply too good?

Know-how: Simple However Befuddling

Each TX trim will get a 14-inch touchscreen as commonplace tools. It’s pretty easy to make use of, although we hate that Toyota/Lexus not has a “residence menu” the place you may parse via all the assorted features. We sampled the upgraded 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, which sounds clear however lacks the punch and readability of the ELS Studio system within the MDX.

Our important grievance is levied in opposition to the touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel. They’re unlabeled, requiring you to faucet your finder to see what every button does by way of the head-up show or the gauge cluster if a HUD just isn’t outfitted. There are two directional pads on either side of the wheel, each of which may swap features utilizing the buttons under them. That is an excessively sophisticated method to have steering wheel controls, and we have seen it executed extra successfully within the Lincoln Nautilus.

Practicality: As Large As They Come

In practically each inside measurement, the TX comes out forward of the competitors. Mixed head and legroom is best-in-class, that means even adults could be snug driving within the third row. The TX boasts area for as much as seven passengers, however because the third row solely has two seatbelts, choosing the second-row captain’s chairs brings the seat rely down to 6. On the optimistic facet, the captain’s chairs could be heated and ventilated, a function that few opponents supply. A single button tilts the second row ahead with a slide help spring to make third row entry simpler, however the second row seat does not then return to its set place.

Cargo area is as soon as once more best-in-class, that means there may be loads of room for baggage even with the third row in use. Decreasing the third row requires solely two button presses, although the power-folding course of is a sluggish one.

Efficiency: Select Your Hybrid

A lot of the newest Lexus powertrains can be found right here, that means you may equip your TX with the choice that matches your way of life greatest. The TX 350 is the only possibility, sending 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque out to the entrance wheels or non-compulsory all-wheel-drive from a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine. Gas economic system is simply ‘superb’ on this mannequin, barely outmatching the V6 engines within the Acura and Infiniti.

Issues get just a little extra fascinating on the hybrid entrance, the place two distinctive powertrains are supplied. The TX 500h is the extra typical of the 2, coming solely in F Sport Efficiency guise with the identical turbo-four because the TX 350. It is paired with electrical motors, upping the output considerably to 366 hp and 406 lb-ft going out to straightforward Direct4 AWD by way of a six-speed automated. Not solely is the TX 500h stronger, however it’s additionally extra environment friendly than the TX 350.

Then there’s the TX 550h+, the one we sampled in our week with the TX. That is the one model to pack a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6 below the hood, pushing 259 hp by itself. An 18.1 kWh battery provides electrical energy to a 179-hp electrical motor, combining with the gasoline engine to provide 406 hp – probably the most of any TX. Regardless of being probably the most highly effective, the PHEV just isn’t the sportiest as a result of its eCVT with planetary gearset configuration.

In our DrivingOnRoad unbiased testing, the TX 500h+ hit 60 mph in 5.37 seconds, which is faster than Lexus claims. We additionally ran the dash in full electrical mode, which took an expectedly lengthy 10.84 seconds. The TX is clearly much less desirous to speed up with out the fuel engine, however 0-30 mph occasions reveal how fast it truly is an EV in site visitors. It took 2.13 seconds to hit 30 mph in hybrid mode, however solely 3.03 seconds in EV mode – a minor 0.9-second distinction.

The TX500h+ is the one model that may drive round on pure electrical energy for a protracted interval. Lexus quotes a 33-mile electrical vary, however we managed to squeeze 35.7 miles out of the battery on a visit to Disney World, which concerned largely freeway driving in Florida warmth with the A/C turned up. On a extra temperate day with extra metropolis driving, we consider 40 miles is totally believable. Recharging the TX on our Lectron L2 charger took three hours and 10 minutes, matching Lexus estimates. When the cost ran out, we famous 30.5 MPG in metropolis driving, hinting that the TX is extra environment friendly than Lexus claims – one other feather within the model’s cap.

Driving Impressions: Quiet… Most Of The Time

The TX PHEV has many optimistic attributes, being probably the most highly effective and most effective model of Lexus’ giant household crossover. Nonetheless, it might not be the best model primarily based in your priorities. We had been blown away by the PHEV powertrain’s effectivity, each in electrical and hybrid modes. It is simply the smoothest setup Lexus affords since there aren’t any gears to run via or turbochargers to spool up.

In most driving situations, the TX 500h+ will impress with how quiet and easy it feels. The electrical motor can deal with the majority of the preliminary acceleration, then the V6 kicks in when wanted. Regardless of how shut consideration we paid, we merely couldn’t really feel it when the V6 kicked on, a testomony to Lexus hybrid smoothness. Whereas we could not really feel the V6’s presence, we may actually hear it. As we described, the TX 500h+ is sort of silent for those who drive it such as you’re not overly excited.

When you really feel the urge to drive quick or want a burst of acceleration at freeway speeds, nevertheless, the V6 fires to life with the vocal allure of a whale in misery. Lexus did not tune the eCVT to emulate gears, that means the V6 engine picks a high-RPM candy spot and stays there, howling within the background. It is rare, however throughout laborious acceleration, the TX PHEV does not sound very dignified.

The TX pleases as a household luxurious crossover, supplying a comfortable journey with none roughness. There’s nothing significantly partaking in regards to the steering, which is ok in a automobile like this. The TX 500h F Sport feels just a little extra agile because of its Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS), which is not accessible on some other variant, nevertheless.

Pricing & Verdict: Good Sufficient?

Pricing for the 2024 TX 350 begins at $53,700 earlier than vacation spot – add $1,600 in order for you AWD. The fuel mannequin can attain $61,200 on the prime quality for the Luxurious AWD trim stage. Lexus solely affords efficiency hybrid variants of the TX, so that they value considerably extra.

It is a vital premium to pay for the hybrid fashions over these with simply inner combustion, however the F Sport Efficiency is faster and extra environment friendly. If you need the TX 500h+, it solely comes within the Luxurious specification, topping the vary with a $76,700 beginning worth. Including the $2,150 Know-how Package deal, $895 Comfort Package deal, and some different goodies pulls out tester to $81,269, earlier than a $1,350 vacation spot price.

Assuming you may cost at residence, the TX 500h+ has the potential to economize in the long term, since it will probably seemingly deal with the varsity/work run on pure electrical energy alone. Nonetheless, it comes at a considerable worth enhance over even the F Sport Efficiency mannequin. On a lease, the PHEV could be cheaper than it appears to be like on paper with a $7,500 federal tax credit score, however in case you are seeking to buy, we might in all probability persist with the cheaper and sportier TX 500h.

The TX might not have the nicest inside in its class, however it’s by far th most spacious and affords three compelling powertrains the place many rivals solely have one. When you have been ready for a Lexus that may suit your entire household and their gear, the TX matches the invoice.