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Prepare to meet the biggest Lexus SUV ever. The Japanese luxury company unveiled the 2024 Lexus TX on Thursday in a double-feature presentation that included the revamped 2024 Lexus GX. This follows the introduction of numerous extremely successful, freshly larger three-row family crossovers by rivals over the previous two years. The new TX is the most considerable SUV and the first to have an appropriately adult-sized third row.
The automaker’s flagship ute, the six-figure LX 600, is somewhat more significant than the TX, which measures just over 203 inches from stem to stern. The TX’s objective, however, is family-friendly practicality in luxurious packaging, as opposed to the LX’s, which has go-anywhere capabilities in a classy wrapper. The TX won’t have prices even close to those of the LX. Although Lexus won’t provide precise figures until later in the year, we anticipate that the basic TX350 will cost roughly $55,000.
The Acura MDX, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Mazda’s unexpectedly luxurious CX-90, and the Infiniti QX60 are just a few examples of high-end three-row vehicles with which the TX will compete directly. Those final two are based on standard models from their parent businesses, making them the TX’s most direct competition. It is the Nissan Pathfinder in the case of the QX60 and the relatively recent Toyota Grand Highlander in the case of the TX.
Although it will share a platform (internally referred to as G-AK) and structural elements with the Grand Highlander and be built alongside it in Indiana, the TX promises levels of luxury above those of its Toyota cousin, adopts a unique styling approach, provides slightly more power, has a plug-in hybrid option, and carves out a niche for itself among those formidable rivals. It also addresses complaints about the automaker’s earlier three-row initiatives.
A Grander Lexus Crossover
Since 1996, Lexus has been producing three-row SUVs, although, for most of that period, only its body-on-frame GX and LX SUVs had third rows. At the same time, they’re ideal for families that like off-roading; most SUV purchasers choose the more excellent fuel economy and car-like driving experience of crossovers, like the brand’s best-selling RX. As a result, it produced the three-row RXL for the 2018 model year. Unfortunately, the RXL’s third row was so ridiculously short that even some children had trouble fitting in. By cramming it in, luggage and second-row room were also lost.
Although it did not provide the TX’s complete specifications on Thursday, the information the company did provide provided Highlander’s statistics indicating that the TX will erase all memory of the RXL.
This time, Lexus has created a third row that is appropriately large for adults and has a sizable cargo room. The Grand Highlander offers more excellent legroom than most of its immediate rivals in the second and third rows, with the third row having the most excellent legroom at 33.5 inches. The Grand Highlander’s third row is more significant than the enormous Infiniti QX80 and nearly as extensive as the GMC Yukon’s. One-touch tilt-and-slide second-row seats (available as a bench or captain’s chairs) also make it simple to reach the way back.
The TX is most likely to have comparable dimensions since it is around 2 inches longer overall than the Grand Highlander. While numbers don’t tell the whole picture, they are encouraging.
According to the manufacturer, the TX has 20.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the third row, 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97 cubic feet with all the seats in use. These figures easily outperform the Grand Cherokee L, MDX, and QX60. This is a practical benefit if you travel with children and a lot of luggage. There is also a ton of storage space within the cabin, seven communication and charging connections, three power outlets, and many detachable cup holders.
Compared to its Toyota cousin, Lexus has worked to make its interior quieter, friendlier, and more polished. More soundproofing materials are used in the construction to make it stiff and rattle-free, including high-damping door and roof mastic seals, silence materials under the cargo floor, and different welds and adhesives.
Lexus TX: Quiet Design, Lots of Technology
The TX is a visually conventional machine on the inside and exterior. Outside, that’s a surprising change of events since Lexus has always leaned toward its imposing spindle grille and assertive styling, even if they sometimes clash with the calming, comforting personality of many of its best-selling models.
The large grille is drastically reduced, the daytime running lights are altered from their characteristic L shape, and the front is rendered in monochrome, eerily reminiscent of the firm’s most current completely electric RZ crossover. Lexus knows the style as the “Unified Spindle.” It’s less divisive than past Spindle designs, but maybe not quite as standout.
The inside is subdued and has the same aesthetic as the newly updated NX and RX. Although it doesn’t seem as sumptuous aesthetically as the QX60 or Genesis GV80 interiors, it will undoubtedly be finished in the same high-touch materials across the Lexus series.
The TX will include the company’s most recent infotainment and safety systems. The cockpit is 12.3 inches by 14.3 inches, and the HVAC and volume knobs remain. They function similarly to the NX and RX displays, offering various voice control choices and simple menus. A head-up show, a Mark Levinson audio with 21 speakers, and programmable ambient lighting are available in addition to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which are standard features.
All grades will also come standard with Lexus’ Safety System+ 3.0, which includes lane-tracing assistance, front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, adaptive cruise control, and many other features.
A look at the 2024 Ford Ranger and Ranger Raptor
More Power To You
The Grand Highlander’s powertrains are close, but not identical, to those used by the Lexus TX. The TX is more expensive than its Toyota cousin but offers greater power in exchange.
The standard TX 350 has a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, somewhat more than the Toyota’s same engine. All-wheel drive (AWD) is an option; front-wheel drive is standard. According to Lexus, the combined fuel economy will reach 21 mpg.
The 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid engine used in the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max and RX 500h is also used in the TX 500h, which sits above it. It has a six-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor that produce 366 horsepower and 409 pound-feet of torque together. If the advertised 24 mpg fuel economy holds, that’s impressive considering its size.
The TX 550h+, a 3.5-liter V6 plug-in hybrid with 406 system horsepower and up to 30 mpg combined, will be at the top of the list (and will not be shared with the Toyota). It has a continuously variable automatic gearbox (CVT). On a full charge, it will also claim a 33-mile electric range.
The TX 500h and 550h+ have standard AWD, which suggests they’ll perform well by 2.5-ton family SUV standards.
When and how much will a 2024 Lexus TX cost?
Although Lexus hasn’t yet disclosed the TX’s precise price, we predict it will start in the mid-$50,000 bracket, which puts it above the MDX and QX60 but below expensive three-row vehicles like the LX or BMW X7. The TX 500h will cost $8,000 to $10,000 more than the top-trim QX60 versions. The price of the plug-in hybrid will undoubtedly exceed that of the CX-90 PHEV from Mazda.
The TX 350 and TX 500h will be on sale this autumn, but the TX 550+ plug-in hybrid won’t be available for another few months, similar to how it took some time for the NX 450+ PHEV to appear after the 2022 NX was revised. But once they get there, we predict it won’t be long until families and Uber Black drivers buckle down in TXs.
