Lexus has previously offered three-row SUVs known for their luxury and dependability. The problem is those have never been so good at getting people in and out of that last row, or stowing stuff behind it. Access and space have been problematic — until now. The Lexus TX is meant to address those issues, giving buyers something truly fit for kid-hauling duty, with cargo space to spare even with the third row up.
Looking imposing in cement gray (also known as “Incognito” in Lexus-speak), my TX 500h F Sport AWD had a tough assignment. Not only did it need to prove its worth as a big SUV, but it also had to differentiate itself from its sibling, the Toyota Grand Highlander.
One way it sets itself apart: door poppers.
No longer must you tug on a door handle, like some peon. On this Lexus, a button on the back of the handle jolts the door open for you, though you must pull it the rest of the way. Also, the second row folds forward with the press of a button and the help of an electric motor. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio System doesn’t hurt the case for luxury status, either. (Note: I was not blown away by the system at first, but then realized I was testing it out by playing the Black Keys, whose lo-fi rock would sound the same whether being played at the Strathmore or through a laptop speaker pointed at a wall. A few soaring Trey Anastasio guitar solos later, I was sold.)
The beautiful, 22-inch F Sport wheels and tires featured a nice bonus: a rim guard. The rubber of the tire juts out beyond the lip of the wheel, preventing curb scratches. Every vehicle needs this. (There’s a spare tire, too.) I also have to mention the automatically heated steering wheel, which takes the heated steering wheel game to the next level.
Power in the TX 500h F Sport was ever so slightly enhanced over the top-of-the-line Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX that I also drove. The four-cylinder, turbo hybrid powertrain was smooth and quiet, as was the ride in general. The dashboard showed an average of about 23 miles per gallon.
In crash testing, the TX gets an “acceptable” rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s small overlap front test, a “good” rating in the moderate overlap front test and a “good” rating in the updated side test.
It’s again worth noting that Lexus gets the top spot in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, which tracks problems with three-year-old vehicles.
This TX 500h F Sport AWD came in at $78,893, a roughly $19,000 premium over the extra-fancy Grand Highlander that I drove previously. I’d personally take the cheaper option (as proven by the Highlander in my driveway), but for those who are willing to pay to go further upscale, the new Lexus hits the high notes.
