Cruising in luxury, roominess
New Lexus option in utility vehicles
Toyota’s luxury brand is a class leader when it comes to offering vehicles with three rows of seats. The seven-passenger 2024 Lexus TX that recently joined the GX and LX utility vehicles is also the most affordable of the three.
The Indiana-built TX uses the seven-passenger Toyota Grand Highlander’s platform, but the Lexus has its own style. That includes an oversize grille that is common to most Lexus fleet members. A one-piece light strip wraps around the back to connect the fenders. The rest of the boxy bodywork is conventional, but it is still stylish. There’s virtually no hint of off-road ruggedness to be found.
The TX is longer than the GX and the LX, and it has more distance between the front and rear wheels. That translates into more generous third-row legroom for two adults. Depending on the trim level, the second-row split-folding bench seat is upgraded to dual high-back buckets. The TX has greater maximum volume than the GX, but it trails the LX.
The dashboard has a 7-inch or available 12.3-inch digital cluster for the driver. Beside it is a 14-inch infotainment display with built-in navigation plus Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. The interior has seven charging ports and three power outlets for maintaining smart phones and tablets.
Powertrain choices are dependent on model selection. The TX350 has a turbocharged, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The TX 500h F Sport Performance gets you a turbo 2.4-liter four-cylinder supported by two electric motors for a net 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet. Lastly, the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid has a 3.5-liter V-6 and net system
output of 406 horsepower.
The TX 350 has an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 500h F Sport Performance gets a six-speed automatic, and the plug-in hybrid 550h+ has a continuously variable unit.
The 550h+ plug-in hybrid is most performance-oriented and, to no one’s surprise, it’s the fuel economy champ at an estimated 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The TX 350 is rated at 23 mpg, and the 500h hybrid is rated at 27 mpg.
When fully charged, the TX 550h+ has an estimated range of about 33 miles before the V-6 is needed.
All-wheel-drive is optional for the TX 350, but it’s standard with the others. The TX 550h+ also comes with four-wheel-steering that turns the rear wheels in the same direction of the fronts when heading into a turn at higher speeds. At slower speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction for increased maneuverability.
The base TX 350 — one of seven available TX models — starts at $55,100, including destination fees. All-wheel-drive is $1,550 more. Standard content includes power-adjustable heated front seats, power-adjustable steering column and ambient interior lighting.
Also standard is Lexus’ Safety System+ 3.0, which includes dynamic cruise control (which keeps pace with traffic), pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, lane-tracing assist and proactive driving assist that provides light braking and steering assist when taking a corner. Advanced Park, which can handle parallel and perpendicular parking duties, is optional.
The next-up TX 350 Premium is where you’ll find a panorama glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats and power-folding third-row seats.
From there, depending on the model, features such as leather-covered seats, heated and ventilated second-row seats, head-up driver’s information display, 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and 22inch silver-finished wheels are available. Note that there are two TX500H models and two TX500H+ plug-in hybrids, with the price climbing into the $80,000 range.
The standard content for the plugin, which arrives later in the model year, hasn’t been revealed.
With roominess, power and fuel frugal operation in its favor, the luxury-oriented Lexus TX is well suited for those needing to transport friends and family members to near and far destinations.