Lexus added the three-row TX SUV to its lineup last year to slot in between its full-size LX and off-road-focused GX SUVs. With different looks, plenty of charm and oodles of practicality, the TX is the best Lexus that you can buy today.
The TX looks different from its brethren with a new take on the company's spindle grille front end that uses the body color instead of chrome slats. Designers of the TX prioritized aerodynamics, optimizing with fins, a roof spoiler and taillights.
To develop the company's Lexus Driving Signature for the girthy TX, Lexus focused on body rigidity while trying to keep weight in check by tuning the thickness and material of its body panels. The hood and front fenders are aluminum, while the back door is steel. Body adhesives were added to help the vehicle stay composed while turning into a corner or driving on rough pavement. A new rear suspension design, and widened front and rear tracks also help with stability.
The 2024 TX offers three choices for powertrain options. The Lexus TX 350 comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 275 horsepower (hp) and 317 pound-feet (lb-ft) of torque.
Lexus has equipped the TX 500h hybrid with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder that is paired with an electric motor offering up 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.
The plug-in TX 550h+ has a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine and battery that work together to deliver a total of 404 hp, and can go 33 miles on purely electric power on a full charge.
Newsweek tested the TX 500h and TX 550h+ for this review.
Each engine comes with a unique transmission, all of which are automatic. The TX 350 has an eight-speed. The TX 500h has a six-speed automatic and the TX 550h+ has a continuously variable transmission. Versions with all-wheel drive can vary the front-to-rear power distribution from 75:25 to 50:50 in different driving situations. The TX 500h and 550h+ combine all-wheel drive with rear-wheel steering.
The TX 500h F Sport tested by Newsweek (base price $71,300) comes with exclusive 22-inch wheels in gloss black and gray, black roof rails, dark chrome window trim, front fender badges, a unique rear bumper and on the F Sport Performance Luxury version, a panoramic moonroof.
Power is perfect from the 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid for this family SUV. Acceleration comes on quick with electric power while the engine provides force once the vehicle is up to speed. The engine is quiet and zippy, and the six-speed, which normally would seem ancient among the eight-, nine- and ten-speed transmissions today, was perfectly adequate for commuter and carpool duties.
The TX 550h+ starts at $78,050 and is decidedly less sporty looking than its F Sport comrade. It wears 22-inch silver-painted alloy wheels and is only available in Earth-tone paint colors. The SUV's interior sports semi-aniline leather and black grain trim, lending an air of sophistication, and a leather-covered steering wheel and shifter.
The tester came with the Technology Package ($2,150) adding a digital rearview mirror, head-up display, remote parking technology and a surround view on-screen imaging system. The add-ons made parking a breeze, and the digital rearview mirror is good if you do a lot of night driving, minimizing the glare from headlights behind you.
In both SUVs, the handling is better than expected, especially for their size. This is helped by the standard adaptive suspension on the F Sport model. The chassis gets tighter in the Sport driving mode and softer over harsh pavements in the rest, and in the Custom mode, which can be edited for personal preferences in acceleration, steering, and suspension.
Rear-wheel steering, standard on both models, makes the vehicle feel smaller and more maneuverable than its size might suggest especially when spaces get tight.
The cabin of the TX looks much cooler than its frumpy, yet commanding, exterior might suggest. The seats look and feel sporty with accenting materials and have plenty of adjustment to get comfortable while holding the driver in place (eight-way power-adjustable seats up front in the F Sport, and 10-way in the 550h+).
The main touchscreen infotainment system measures 14 inches and is connected to a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The bright touchscreen features permanent mode buttons on the side of the screen and permanent climate controls on the lower portion making them constantly accessible. The temperature and volume are both controlled by physical dials. USB-C ports sit ahead of cupholders that hold large size Stanley cups with little grippy fingers.
The system works well with voice control and wireless Apple CarPlay, like the most modern versions of CarPlay (seen in the Honda Accord, among othersthough the music doesn't silence while the driver is talking to it, or when it is talking to the driver making it hard to hear. You can't turn down the radio while the voice is active either, which is also annoying while trying to drive. There is a setting to change that, but we couldn't find it.
The second-row seats available with captain's chairs or a 60/40 split-folding bench seat In the two testers, the TX came equipped with the chairs and sat six.
The second-row chairs feature heating and ventilation. Third-row access is easy with a slide assist that folds and springs the seat forward with the press of a switch. However, third-row space isn't much, but it would be fine for average size adults for a short ride.
Standard safety features include emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane tracing, lane departure alert, road sign assist and Proactive Driving Assist, which uses the vehicle's camera and radar to provide gentle braking into curves or gentle braking and/or steering to help control the distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
Traffic Jam Assist, a feature that allow drivers to go hands-free while in heavy traffic, and front cross-traffic assist technology are optional and come as part of a package.
The 2024 Lexus TX 350 with front-wheel drive starts at $55,050 including destination and handling. All-wheel drive adds $1,500. The three-row SUV's competitors include the Acura MDX ($50,150) and Infiniti QX60 ($51,000). The Ford Explorer-derived Lincoln Aviator ($58,495) might be cross-shopped as well, as could the Audi Q7 ($60,500). The pricey Mercedes-Benz GLS (starting at $87,000) is a competitor for the top-tier TX.
The Lexus TX is probably the quietest of the bunch, and its technology is the newest. It's base price lands near its competition, though a bit less than the German three-row SUVs, making it a good deal.
However, Acura's all-wheel drive system is excellent as is its predicted reliability, and the redesigned QX60 now has the looks to match its luxury interior. Buyers in states with four seasons should check on the Acura, but the Lexus TX is hard to pass up for families that want a peaceful, luxurious interior with both style and technology.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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