It’s big, comfortable and all-new from Lexus in the 2024 model year. Welcome to the three-row TX five-door crossover soon available in three unique drive platforms: a traditional gasoline version, a gas-electric hybrid (of the non-plug-in variety) and a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Version (PHEV).
Lexus, the luxury arm of Toyota, aims this newest transport directly to the American market, an audience desiring room, versatility and predictable fuel economy. It’s one of half-a-dozen or so available crossovers/SUVs available in the 2024 Lexus lineup.
With its unibody construction (starting from a traditional car-based platform), expect a comfortable, rattle-free experience when compared to more truck-like four-wheel-drive underpinnings and transfer case found in the long-running Lexus LX Sport Utility Vehicle. For those needing a vehicle to tow weekend toys, the heavy-duty, three-row LX is the pick to click. If carting kids, their friends and the mountains of ancillary stuff through suburbia, the all-new TX and its standard three rows nicely fills the bill.
Does Lexus really need another crossover/sport utility vehicle? From a marketing standpoint, it doesn’t hurt. It’s a step up in size from the segment-setting mid-size RX crossover, the most popular vehicle of any size in the Lexus lineup, and one of the first car-based mid-sized crossovers. For all intents and purposes, RX stands as a comfortable, well-executed five-passenger vehicle. For the last couple of years, however, RX shoe-horned in an available third row (sold as the RX L), but missed the mark as a functional, comfortable, three-row, uni-body crossover. Lexus quietly retired the RX L upon TX’s arrival.
From a sheer driving pleasure experience, new TX tilts far closer to the ultra-popular RX, rather than the utilitarian, heavy, full-size LX. Just like the RX, the all-new TX is available in either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. The TX’s GA-K platform also shares underpinnings with smaller RX and NX crossovers from Lexus delivering optimal weight distribution and solid body rigidity. A rear multi-link suspension helps vehicle composure, too. While both RX and TX check in as mid-size, TX skews towards the larger end of the spectrum.
As with Lexus products from the past decade-and-a-half, TX boasts its spindle grille proudly up front. This latest incarnation, kinder and gentler than earlier efforts, includes horizontal rows and sinches higher up the hourglass shape. It’s functional too as regulated air flow helps cool the brakes. Bejeweled LED headlights and daytime running lights interplay with the grille. Along the back hatch, a narrow red light bar stretches from end to end at night.
Unlike RX, the all-new TX promotes three powertrain choices, two electrified. Our tester, the TX350 includes Toyota’s trusted 2.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder gasoline engine generating 275 horses and utilized in both the Lexus RX and NX crossovers. All mate to an eight-speed automatic transmission. With high-torque output, it provided more than enough power during merges and passes during our time together. All three TX350 gasoline exclusive trims (Standard, Premium and Luxury) offer front or for an extra $1,600, all-wheel drive. It’s the volume leader of the three available propulsion options.
The all-wheel-drive exclusive TX500h includes the self-charging gas-electric hybrid variant with the all-wheel-drive exclusive TX500h+ representing the plug-in hybrid electric version. It includes an all-electric range of 33 miles before a V-6 gas engine kicks and is expected to dealers during the first quarter of 2024. This review highlights the traditional gas-powered TX350.
The TX350 engine sports a start-stop technology where the engine quiets at a prolonged intersection or long stops, then starts again once the right foot lifts from the brake pedal. If desired, this perk may be manually deactivated via a black push button near the small vertical shifting transmission handle/knob between the front buckets. When shifting into park, this system requires a push of a ‘P’ button/icon aft of the shift knob. Nearby, deactivation buttons for traction control and the electronic parking brake pull tab.
The mid-size TX shares an all-new platform shared with Toyota’s three-row Grand Highlander, also all-new for the 2024 season. The TX also rates as the first Lexus vehicle ever assembled at Toyota’s Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) located in the Hoosier State’s far southern reaches.
Our top-tier all-wheel-drive ‘Luxury’ trim checked in at $61,200 and after approximately a dozen options reached a price height of $69,814 including a $1,350 destination charge; representative of the most decked out version available in 2024. Pricing starts at $53,700 for a front wheel drive Standard TX350 gasoline version.
Our Tech Package ($1,050) included a full-color digital rearview mirror feed. This perspective circumvents shoulders or heads encountered within a conventional mirror format creating an uninhibited view beyond the hatch window. It’s easily switched back to a reflective view with a pull-push of a manual tab under the mirror frame. Traditional blind spots get kept at bay with the TX’s relatively low exterior belt line contributing to decent-sized side windows.
Additional notable extras tacked onto the tester included premium Cloudburst gray exterior paint ($500), upgraded audio ($1,160) and Convenience Package ($895) containing another layer of safety including front cross-traffic alert and subscription-based traffic jam assist.
A nice suite of conventional safety come standard within the Lexus Safety System 3.0 including pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, road sign assist, variable all-speed radar cruise control, lane departure alert and a blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, very handy when slowly backing out of a tight parking spot.
The available, electronically-controlled, full-time all-wheel drive gets recommended for competent Midwest travel. It’s always active, but automatically varies the front-rear drive force distribution from 75:25 to 50:50 dependent upon driving situations.
Opening the four side doors when standing outside is made simple with a warm touch of a digital latch inside long, strap-like grab bars. The same tech incorporates inside as no handles exist, just a gentle push of the designated tactile electronic pad enacts unlatching.
Our black interior (Peppercorn officially) included suede-like materials above the glove box, seat side bolsters and other niches adding to an upscale ambiance. As with just about every Lexus product, the interior remains audibly insulated from the majority of hustle and bustle noise occurring outside the cabin.
The 50/50-split third row backrests power down flat in Premium and Luxury trims and manually fold in the Standard trim. When folded/powered down, a flat cargo surface extends from hatch end to second-row seating promoting an expansive 57.4 cubic feet or cargo space. With seats up, a very usable 20.2 cubic feet awaits accommodating a number of stacked airplane friendly roller bags. Seatbacks also tilt backward slightly when prone, delivering extra versatility and comfort. Row two enjoys a three-passenger 60/40-split bench configuration while Premium and Luxury trims offer a pair of optional captain’s chairs ($680) reducing seating capacity from seven to six.
Our tester’s captain’s chairs slid manually and effortlessly forward on a floor track once backrests tilted downward, allowing decent access to row three. Two full-sized adults fit with optimal comfort (good head and leg room within mid-size parameters) although three pre-teens could also make good use of the area.
Expect an up-to-date infotainment system with perks including wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto and Bluetooth compatibility. Gone from the recent Lexus past, the clumsy ‘Remote Touch Interface’ requiring nerves of steel from the driver’s right hand as it maneuvered a square-type joystick or sometimes a flat touch-sensitive pad operated by a single finger between bucket seats motivating an in-screen curser. It’s been exchanged for a sizeable touch-sensitive flat screen renamed simply ‘Lexus Interface.’
The square-ish , digital, all-touch sensitive infotainment screen, includes a left-side column of icons to easily toggle between music, settings, comfort or navigation screens. Visually, this screen dominates with its 14-inch size. Multiple setting selections including four drive modes (comfort, sport, eco or custom) operate through touch-sensitive options many of which are nicely spelled out. Secondary remote controls found on the steering wheel face (at 9 O’clock) also provide a sometimes faster way to interact with screen functions. If exuding extra confidence, give voice commands a try.
Temperature controls operate largely through the touch screen bottom portion. The push icons are always present and never toggle away or temporarily disappear from sight. Dual front temperature settings monitor from two small artistic dials with temperature digitally displayed in the center. A smaller on/off/volume twist dial resides in between. The lower rim includes push buttons for both front and rear defrosters.
Small vertical air vents reside below the screen just above an open pocket for resting a Smartphone on a wireless charge pad with access to nearby plug ports if preferred (a total of seven intersperse throughout the vehicle). Beverage holders right of the transmission shifter sport an adjustable square design with brushed aluminum top rims accommodating various sizes and bottle designs. A similar twin set up occupies row two between captain’s chairs when equipped.
The flat screen jets up starting in the lower center dash and extends up into a fashionable, layered, multi-stepped dash top. To the upper left of the screen resides the electronic push-button start/stop button, a nice position away from steering column interference. The driver’s door includes familiar power operation of side-view mirrors and door locks.
To the power, tilt-and-telescoping steering column’s left, dashboard push buttons electronically releasing the power hatch and gasoline swing door await usage. The power rear latch also opens with a standard-across-the-board foot swipe/kick sensor, useful if clutching a handful of grocery bags.
The fuel tank holds 17.83 gallons of recommended premium, unleaded fuel for optimal performance. Fuel economy registers a bit below average for a four-cylinder turbo engine with our all-wheel drive registering 20 miles per gallon city and 26 mpg highway. The length of the powertrain warranty is better than most rivals. Complimentary maintenance service at a Lexus dealer gets covered for the first two visits at six-and-twelve-month intervals.
Price as tested: $69,814
Engine: 2.4-liter four-cylinder turbo
Horsepower: 275
Wheelbase: 116.14 inches
Length: 203.15 inches
Width: 78.35 inches
Height: 70.08 inches
Powertrain warranty: 72 months/70,000-miles
City/Highway economy: 20 mpg/ 26 mpg
Assembly: Princeton, Indiana