Toyota鈥檚 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 LX and the redesigned GX utility vehicles is also the most affordable of the three.
The Indiana-built TX uses the seven-passenger Toyota Grand Highlander鈥檚 platform but the Lexus has its own style. That includes an oversized grille that鈥檚 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 still stylish. There鈥檚 virtually no hint of off-road ruggedness to be found.
The TX is longer than the GX and the LX and 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 volume than the GX but it trails the LX.
The dashboard has a 7.0-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 the model. The TX350 has a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The TX 500h F Sport Performance gets a turbo 2.4-litre 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-litre V-6 and net system output of 406 horsepower.
The TX350 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 the most performance-oriented and, to no one鈥檚 surprise, it鈥檚 the easiest on fuel with an estimated 7.8 l/100 km in combined city/highway driving. The TX 350 is rated at 10.3 l/100 km and the 500h hybrid is rated at 8.6.
When fully charged, the TX 550h+ has an electric range of about 53 kilometres before the V-6 engine is needed.
All-wheel-drive is standard, but the TX 550h+ also comes with four-wheel-steering that turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts when heading into a turn at higher speed. At slower speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction for increased maneuverability.
The base TX 350 Luxury 鈥� one of seven available TX models 鈥� starts at $72,000, including destination fees. Standard content includes power-adjustable heated front seats, power-adjustable steering column and ambient interior lighting.
Also standard is Lexus鈥� Safety System+ 3.0 that 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 Ultra Luxury includes 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鈥檚 information display, 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and 22-inch silver-finished wheels are available. Note there are three TX500h trims and two TX500h+ plug-in hybrids, with the price climbing into the $100,000-plus range.
The standard content for the plug-in, which arrives later in the model year, hasn鈥檛 been revealed.
With roominess, power and fuel frugal operation in its favour, the luxury-oriented Lexus TX is well suited for those needing to transport friends and family members to near and far destinations.
What you should know: 2024 Lexus TX
Type: All-wheel-drive luxury utility vehicle
Engines (h.p.): 2.4-litre I-4, turbocharged (275/366 with electric motors); 3.5-litre V-6 with electric motor (406)
Transmissions: Eight-speed automatic; six-speed automatic (hybrid); continuously variable (plug-in hybrid)
Market position: Lexus鈥� range of premium seven-passenger utility vehicles is matched only by Mercedes-Benz. 鈥� Lexus鈥� focus on hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology makes the TX appealing to buyers who aren鈥檛 yet ready for battery-electric propulsion.
Points: Overall design is attractively conservative. 鈥� Spacious interior offers plenty of room for seven adults. 鈥� Plenty of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place or folded flat. 鈥� Plug-in hybrid option offers significant performance and fuel savings. 鈥� All trim levels are reasonably well equipped.
Active safety: Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic backup alert (std.); active cruise control (std.); front and rear emergency braking (std.); inattentive-driver alert (std.); lane-departure intervention (std.); pedestrian warning (std.); park assist (opt.)
L/100 km (city/hwy): 11.5/8.9 (base 2.4)
Base price (incl. destination): $72,000
BY COMPARISON
Buick Enclave Avenir
- Base price: $65,300
- Reasonably roomy seven-passenger model, 310-h.p. V-6, AWD is standard.
Acura MDX A-Spec
- Base price: $70,400
- Seating for seven, the third row is a tight fit, Optional 290-hp V-6.
Infiniti QX60 Luxe
- Base price: $65,450
- One of two seven-passenger vehicles, comes with a 295-h.p. V-6, AWD std.
鈥� written by Malcom Gunn, Managing Partner at Wheelbase Media
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