AutoTrader SCORE
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STYLING7/10
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Safety9/10
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PRACTICALITY9/10
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USER-FRIENDLINESS6/10
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FEATURES9/10
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POWER9/10
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COMFORT9/10
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DRIVING FEEL8/10
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FUEL ECONOMY7/10
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VALUE8/10
The 2024 Lexus TX is a new offering from the brand that fills an important gap in its lineup.
Until now, if you wanted a three-row SUV from Lexus, you’d either have to opt for the since discontinued RX L – which had a useless set of extra seats anyway – or an inefficient, monolithic body-on-frame SUV that’s purpose built for towing or off-roading. Drivers who want a Goldilocks three-row family hauler now have an excellent option with the 2024 Lexus TX.
Styling: 7/10
The Lexus TX closely resembles the Toyota Grand Highlander with which it shares a platform. Parked side by side, I think the Grand Highlander looks better because the TX’s grille with body-coloured horizontal slats looks pretty awkward. This is a reference that almost no one will get and exposes me as a major nerd, but the TX’s front end makes it look like a Cylon robot’s helmet from the 1970s Battlestar Galactica series. It’s not as divisive from the rear and sides, and the floating roof effect helps make it look more luxurious.
Power: 9/10
The TX 500h tested here is powered by a turbocharged 2.4L four-cylinder engine and electric motors front and rear, with a total system output of 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. Even in eco mode, there’s more than enough power on tap to pass slower traffic with confidence or get up to speed without drama. All-wheel drive is standard, and power is routed through a smooth and intuitive six-speed automatic transmission. I love the hybrid components that offer an instant power boost and help with fuel economy, too – or so they should.
Fuel Economy: 7/10
At first blush, my as-tested average of 10.0 L/100 km after 325 km of mixed driving seems very reasonable for a vehicle of this size, but it’s actually quite far from its official combined rating of 8.6 L/100 km. I drove the TX mostly in eco mode, but my local area was under a deep freeze during this test, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Still, I was driving very gently for the most part and trying to get the best fuel economy I could, and the TX should have performed better.
Driving Feel: 8/10
In true Lexus fashion, the TX rides incredibly well. The suspension soaks up any roughness from the road so it doesn’t make its way into the cabin, and all the powertrain elements work together smoothly and quietly. Even with a focus on comfort, the big TX feels sure-footed and stable in a corner. The steering has a nice weight to it, and everything is calibrated so that it doesn’t feel like you’re driving a bus. The TX feels like a much smaller vehicle to drive than it actually is, making it easy to park and manoeuvre even in tight parking garages and narrow alleyways.
Practicality: 9/10
A three-row SUV should be practical and family-friendly before all else, both of which happen to be among the TX’s highlights. Buttons to automatically fold the third row can be found in the cargo area and the second row, and the buttons don’t need to be held to complete the action – an annoying function found in other vehicles. The third-row headrests also fold on their own so they don’t get caught on the second-row seatbacks.
The second row is a bit cumbersome to fold flat because it’s a manual two-step process, and it took me longer than it should have to figure out, but children should be able to manage the task on their own. Families will appreciate all the cupholders and cubbies to store their stuff, but also the door pockets that are large enough for water bottles, and modular cupholders in the front and between the second-row captain’s chairs that can be moved around when not in use to make room for larger items. Ditto the USB ports to keep everyone’s devices charged up, and the useful 120-volt household plugs in the second row and the trunk.
There’s 572 L of cargo space behind the third row of seats. This expands to a generous 1,625 L with it folded, and a huge 2,747 L with the second row stowed.
User-Friendliness: 6/10
The TX suffers because Lexus has needlessly overcomplicated the user interface. The doors, for example, use squeeze triggers instead of traditional handles, which needed to be explained to every passenger I had. Something as simple as a door handle should be immediately obvious to use, and other automakers have figured out how to enable certain safety features like safe exit assist without reinventing the humble door handle.
The infotainment touchscreen also lacks a home button and useful shortcuts to commonly used features, making it more distracting to use while driving. Drive modes, for example, must be accessed through the touchscreen and it takes three taps to pick one. Having an analogue button or dial would make much more sense. It doesn’t help that the menus can be unintuitive to navigate to find what you’re looking for.
Here’s another example: it takes about four taps to change the radio station if you’re using Google Maps through Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. And because Google Maps information isn’t displayed in the instrument cluster or head-up display, it requires a lot of flipping between screens, which is very distracting. These types of interactions happen multiple times a day and need to be simplified for safety.
Comfort: 9/10
Both front- and second-row occupants are treated to heated and ventilated seats, and there’s lots of room to get comfortable and move around. The seats are supportive and comfortable for long drives, the second-row passengers also get sunshades, and the interior is serene and quiet.
The third row is fine for kids, but anyone older than a teenager might find it a bit tight, which is quite normal for this segment. It still feels a bit roomier than the third rows in some competitor vehicles, including the Acura MDX.
Features: 9/10
In-vehicle audio systems all sound kind of the same to me, but the upgraded unit in the TX stands out because it’s notably good. At low volumes, my podcasts come through crystal clear, and even in songs I’ve heard dozens of times before, I noticed layers or sounds that were new to me.
The TX has a generous list of standard features, but there are many optional upgrades that I expect to see as standard at this price. Some standard highlights include wireless phone charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a rear camera washer, a camera-based digital rear-view mirror display with Homelink, a power rear hatch with kick sensor, customizable ambient lighting with 64 colours, and more.
Safety: 9/10
The TX comes standard with every safety feature Lexus has to offer (with a few others included in upgrade packages), including everything from safe exit assist, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rear seat reminder, left turn junction assistance, road sign recognition, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and loads more. It’s a comprehensive suite that mostly works as expected with minimal false alarms, though sometimes the system still freaks out when there’s no actual risk of danger.
Value: 8/10
The 2024 Lexus TX 500h starts at $84,200 before the $2,205 destination fee. The model tested here added on a $6,000 F Sport Performance 3 package that includes a lot of features I’d like to see as standard for this price such as adaptive high beams, front cross-traffic alert, a panoramic camera view, and more, for an as-tested price of $92,505.
The Verdict
The 2024 Lexus TX is a well-rounded three-row luxury SUV. While it doesn’t excel in any one specific area, as an entire package, it’s executed well and ends up being better than the sum of its parts. The flaws it exhibits probably aren’t dealbreakers, and its great strengths more than make up for them. For a busy family looking for a practical and upscale SUV that can easily tackle trips to the cottage or a quiet date night and everything else in between, the Lexus TX delivers.
| Engine Displacement | 2.4L |
|---|---|
| Engine Cylinders | Turbo I4 |
| Peak Horsepower | 366 hp net |
| Peak Torque | 406 lb-ft net |
| Fuel Economy | 8.7 / 8.4 / 8.6 L/100 km cty/hwy/cmb |
| Cargo Space | 572 / 1,625 / 2,747 L behind 3rd/2nd/1st row |
| Model Tested | 2024 Lexus TX 500h |
| Base Price | $84,200 |
| A/C Tax | $100 |
| Destination Fee | $2,205 |
| Price as Tested | $92,505 |
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Optional Equipment
$6,000 – F Sport Performance 3, $6,000
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