Is too much of a good thing even possible?
The owner of a Florida eatery once responded to a complaint about his jumbo wings with a clever advertisement: “Customers are complaining our wings are too big!”
Truth be told, some prefer medium-sized wings, but he saw it as a compliment and sales pitch.
To that point, Lexus interior designers may enjoy a buyer’s comment that his midsize 2024 TX 350 may actually be too roomy — “almost too many cupholders and too much space,” he said.
Maximizing cabin space and comfort was a prime focus on the three-row TX 350, an allnew midsize-luxury SUV that replaces the RX 350-L. The third row accommodates even sixfooters comfortably, something the RX couldn’t do. Cargo space is mammoth with 97 cubic feet of total volume, just a few cubes shy of Toyota’s Sienna minivan.
And, even with all seats in use, there’s room for all seven passengers to bring a carry-on suitcase.
Assembled at the Princeton, Indiana, Toyota plant, the TX 350 is built on the same platform as the also-new Toyota Grand Highlander. The TX has a strong stance, 20-inch multi-spoke alloys with dark gray finish, and the brand’s latest spindle grille, which regulates air flow. There’s LED lighting up front, and an LED blade tail lamp across the rear.
Three models are available in the TX line, with the powertrains marking the key distinctions. The TX 500h F Sport Performance is a hybrid that offers more power and better fuel economy; the top-line TX 550+ is a plug-in hybrid, the most powerful with 404 horsepower, and can go 50 kilometres on electric alone.
But the TX 350 is expected to be the sales leader with a 2.4-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder that rounds up 275 horses and 317 pound-feet of torque.
An eight-speed automatic transmission (with paddle shifters) delivers power to either the front wheels or all four with the optional all-wheel-drive system ($1,600). The AWD is frontbiased but can send as much as 50 per cent of the power to the rear wheels as needed.
The 350 is not fast or sporty, but it does have adequate early torque and gets to 97 km/h in around 7.5 seconds. The ride is stiffer than some foes (think Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60) but that improves road feel and handling.
Power is decent under normal conditions, but it’s not a powerhouse when the going gets tough, like climbing hills with a crowded cabin. Still, all three powertrains can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Three drive modes adjust performance to the needs: Normal is good for everyday commutes and shopping runs, Sport adds more throttle, and Eco helps squeeze out some extra miles on a trip. Lexus says to expect
8.5 l/100km around town, 11 highway and 10 combined.
Perhaps most important for a family hauler is that it’s comfortable, stable and ultra quiet on the highway — one of the quietest in the segment. Lexus has added sound-dampening materials on door seals to complement those beneath cabin panels, throughout the engine compartment and wheel wells.
The 350 cabin has a refined look with simulated-leather seats up front that are heated and mildly bolstered. Seats are plush and comfortable front and rear, and extensive stitching accents door panels and the dashboard.
It comes with 12-speaker audio, ambient lighting and wireless phone charger. More upscale features like 21-speaker audio, semi-aniline leather and 10-way power seats can be found in the higher-end trims, Luxury and Premium.
But the spotlight is on the space, including head, leg and shoulder room throughout. The second row can be heated, slides, reclines and has its own air vents. Manual shades block the setting sun. Captain’s chairs come with the higher trims, but they reduce passenger count to six.
The third row can seat bigger folks comfortably and for longer periods, providing the secondrow chaps share some space for them. The seats also fold easily into the floor with the push of a button — optional or standard in higher trims. Cargo space behind the third row is 20.2 cubic feet, and 57.4 cubes with the second row down, too.
Here’s a neat family feature: The rear centre console is removable, and so are cup holders up front.
Lexus’s latest infotainment is displayed on a 14-inch touchscreen that is responsive but can be cumbersome climbing through the setting menus. It includes access to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Bluetooth and navigation.
It’s worth opting for the Technology Package ($1,050) which features a reconfigurable 12.3-inch gauge cluster, panoramic rear-view mirror, head-up display and advanced parking assist.
Lexus’s safety package includes a pre-collision system that monitors intersection crosstraffic and pedestrians, adaptive cruise control, lane-trace assist and lane-departure alert and assist, and blind spot monitor.
The TX 350 isn’t the only option among three-row Lexus SUVs, with the more rugged LX and GX also in play. But the TX is more affordable, driverfriendly and roomier. Lexus got it right with the bigger cabin — not sure if the chicken wing guy did.
2024 Lexus TX 350 AWD
MSRP: $56,900 US
With Luxury package:$60,350 (Includes leather and 10-way power seats, heated wheel and second-row seats; technology package with digital instrument gauge, $1,050)
What’s all the excitement about? All-new model replaces RX 350-L and adds cargo and passenger space — enough to more comfortably seat adults in the third row
Powertrain: 2.4-litre turbocharged inline-four, mated to 8-speed automatic, and good for 275 hp and 317 pound-feet of torque; two hybrids also available for more money, more power and better fuel economy
How’s the performance? Sporty, no, but adequate acceleration for family SUV — 0-97 km/h at 7.5 seconds; ride is stiffer but road bumps kept in check, smooth and quiet on highway; can tow up to 5,000 lbs.