2024 Lexus TX

The side profile is probably the most polarizing (or underwhelming) aspect of TX styling. With a long hood and chunky overhangs, plus the “floating roof” look at the back, some will see it as homely and hard to identify as a Lexus from the side. At least they resisted the urge for body cladding, yet you can pretty much see where the cladding might snap in for the closely related Toyota Grand Highlander.

Inside, the TX cabin is refreshingly straightforward by design, with a clean, horizontally oriented dash. A 14.0-inch infotainment system stands at the middle of the dash, but it’s cleanly integrated with the whole design and flows over to the gauge cluster. Trims, upholsteries, and the feel of everything is fully up to Lexus luxury standards, with a softness and warm ambiance to the cabin largely the result of materials choices—and some distinctive two-tone appearances to some of the appointments.

Is the Lexus TX 4WD?

All-wheel drive is offered with all three powertrain levels of the 2024 Lexus TX, but it’s optional on all three trim levels of the TX 350 for $1,600. It’s also worth pointing out that there are two completely different versions of all-wheel drive in the TX. In all-wheel-drive TX 350 models, a propshaft delivers torque to the rear wheels and a full-time AWD system varies the torque distribution, sending between 50% and 75% of torque to the front wheels depending on traction needs. Both hybrid versions of the TX offer what Lexus terms Direct4—meaning that an electric motor powers the rear wheels. In both cases, it makes 101 hp and 124 lb-ft and, depending on the demands, will send up to 80% of the system’s total output to the rear wheels.    

How fast is the Lexus TX?

Any version of the Lexus TX 350 is quick enough for family duty. Base front-wheel-drive versions of that non-hybrid can get to 60 mph in 8.0 seconds, or 7.8 seconds with all-wheel drive. TX 500h F Sport models dash to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, while the top-of-the-line TX 550h+ is the quickest in the lineup at 5.9 seconds.

There’s a difference worth underscoring in terms of drivability. The TX 350 is reasonably flexible, but you’ll sometimes need to wait for its 8-speed automatic to downshift a gear or three for a sudden hill or quick passing maneuver. TX 500h versions can feel hesitant and clumsy when driven in stop-and-go traffic, although their 6-speed transmission and hybrid system smooths out and delivers a more predictable surge of torque for highway passing. TX 550h+ versions use a layout that closely follows what’s been used in the other all-wheel-drive Toyota and Lexus hybrids for years. Its soundtrack may be a little disconnected, but it responds more immediately and consistently, with some of the quiet and strong impression of an electric vehicle mixed in.

For the most part, the 2024 Lexus TX models ride and handle like quiet, hefty luxury cars more than SUVs. Front and rear suspensions are on their own subframes, which helps keep vibrations out, with struts in front, while the rear has a five-link configuration. Although the 4-cylinder models get active noise cancellation, the V-6 in the 550h+ is smoother and less vibration-prone. 

In addition to a sportier adaptive variable suspension calibration and performance dampers, the F Sport 500h has a steering trick under its sleeve: four-wheel steering. Its dynamic rear steering system adds maneuverability at parking speeds by moving in the opposite direction as the front wheels and aids stability in high-speed maneuvers by moving in the same direction (slightly) as the fronts. 

Based on a first drive of the whole TX lineup, while the F Sport 500h does feel a little edgier than the rest of the lineup, the top-of-the-line TX 550h+ is the performance sweet spot, if you have the budget. Its ride is pillowy yet with enough underlying firmness, matched with a powertrain that’s quick when needed. This one of the two available hybrid systems matches the dynamic personality of the vehicle best, and mostly stays out of the soundtrack—not to mention the benefits of its plug-in electric range.

Every version of the TX except the front-wheel-drive TX 350 comes with a Trail mode, which coordinates the drive system and braking to help prevent wheel slip. However the TX doesn’t feel particularly well-tuned for off-roading, and its unremarkable approach and departure angles of 17 and 22 degrees, respectively, plus a ground clearance of less than eight inches for the lineup, signal you should take it easy. But no problem taking a boat or jet-skis out to the launch; all three powertrains of the Lexus TX can tow 5,000 pounds.

The far-back row of the TX is reasonably acceptable for even tall adults for short trips—even though they’re essentially sitting between the rear wheelwells. Second-row seats are a completely different thing in the TX; they’re fully padded and amply proportioned, and anyone who feels like they can get comfortable in the first row will also be able to do so in the second row.

Throughout the lineup, the six-passenger captain’s chairs layout is either available (TX 350) or standard (hybrids). If you want the seven-passenger layout, unfortunately, you have to get the TX 350. Throughout the lineup, the wide door openings help with access to those rear two rows. Middle rows slide forward easily for access to the third row, and when it’s not needed the third row offers power folding for much of the lineup—resulting in a low, flat cargo floor that can span all the way forward to the front seats. And going hybrid doesn’t affect versatility or cargo; both batteries are packaged with no difference in space.

While we’ve only seen pre-production models so far, fit and finish inside the TX is fantastic, and everything feels padded and soft-touch where it should be. The center console includes a double-hinged storage compartment, while cupholders can be removed, freeing up space for larger items or cleaning. Climate controls have been moved mostly into the screen interface; it’s fine as they stay in their place, and there are knobs for temperature and audio volume. 

In terms of noise and vibration, our only complaint in sampling early-build versions came from under the hood. F Sport 500h versions especially brought a coarse soundtrack—and some un-Lexus-like vibration—into the cabin, despite active noise cancellation.

The touchscreen’s layout isn’t as good as it could or should be. It offers no split-screen view like its predecessor—or just about any other model in its peer set—and that contributes to a feeling of clumsiness. One example is tuning up or down a station while in Apple CarPlay; another is changing drive modes (Normal, Eco, Sport, Custom), as they’re two clicks into the Vehicle submenu. 

Premium versions add cooled front seats, a power-folding third row, a panoramic sunroof, 20-inch wheels, and a memory system for the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and mirrors. Step up to the top-of-the-line TX 350 Luxury version and you get leather upholstery, heated second-row seats, ambient lighting themes, a heated steering wheel, cornering lamps, and more.

TX 500h F Sport Performance models, in Premium form, get a sport-tuned adaptive variable suspension, active sound control, dynamic rear-wheel steering, aluminum pedals, grippier synthetic leather upholstery, heated and cooled second-row seats, ambient lighting themes, the bigger 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge/display screen, and 22-inch gray-and-black finished alloy wheels. The Luxury version of the F Sport gets leather upholstery, a heated, leather-trimmed F Sport steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio. 

The TX 550+ plug-in hybrid only comes in top-of-the-line Luxury guise. It includes the premium audio system and most of the same upgrades, but without the panoramic sunroof and instead adding semi-aniline leather seating, heated and cooled second-row captain’s chairs, and silver-finish 22-inch wheels.  

Options on the Premium and Luxury versions include 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio, heated wipers, a heated windshield, and heated-and-cooled second-row seats; a Technology Package with the larger gauge screen and panoramic monitor; and a Convenience Package that adds Digital Key smartphone entry convenience, front cross-traffic monitors, and a Traffic Jam Assist feature enhancing the adaptive cruise control. You can spec the Luxury with showy 22-inch silver-finish alloys.

A 120-volt, 1,500-watt power outlet is optional on all of the hybrids.

Which Lexus TX should I buy?

Because of its versatility, performance, refinement, and eco credentials, the top-of-the-line TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid offers up something that’s unbeatable in the market. It won’t be cheap, but for somewhere north of $75,000 you’ll have the one of the best compromises between comfort, performance and refinement, in a three-row SUV that drives like an electric SUV as often as you can plug it in. 

How much is a fully loaded Lexus TX?

The top-of-the-line TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid hasn’t yet been priced, and it won’t arrive until December 2023 or later. At this point, the TX 500h F Sport Performance optioned with the Technology Package, Convenience Package, cargo lamps, a tow hitch, and more can add up to about $79,000. Consider an equivalent 550h+ to run higher by $5,000 or more.

That said, the version that Lexus expects to make up about 80% of sales—at least in the TX’s first model year—is the TX 350, which achieves just 23 mpg combined. That’s lackluster considering the hybrids and what’s offered today, but it’s far better than the likes of any gasoline-powered Escalade or Navigator. 

The Car Connection bases its Green ratings on the top-selling version in the lineup, that number equates to a 2 on our scale. 

In its TX 550h+ form, this big three-row SUV can go up to 33 EPA miles, Lexus estimates, with 29 mpg after the charge is used up. That’s great considering the mission, and how it can carry up to seven adults, and it’s what punched this category’s score up to 8.

Between the hybrid versions, there are two different types of battery technology. The 1.4-kwh battery in the TX 500h employs a bipolar construction and nickel metal hydride chemistry, while the 18.1-kwh plug-in hybrid battery in the TX 550h+ is liquid-cooled, as well as electric-heated when needed.  

With its 6.6-kw onboard charger, the TX 550h+ can charge fully using a 240-volt home unit in less than three hours.