With seemingly endless two- and three-row SUV offerings, the latter is equally as important if not more so, especially to those who want to transport all their passengers and gear in relative comfort, leaving no one to feel that they are an afterthought. This is where the 2024 Lexus TX 350 comes in, taking the place of the RX L, whose third row made anyone sitting back there feel like an afterthought.
Based on the Grand Highlander, the TX is a proper luxury three-row SUV aimed at the likes of the Audi Q7, Acura MDX, and Infiniti QX60, just to name a few. Its exterior styling is a point of contention; the spindle grille is now body-coloured and integrated into the front bumper, continuing the more restrained design language that Lexus is rolling out with their new models. While some may prefer this new direction, others might think there is not enough visual distinction between this and the Toyota on which it’s based—unlike, say, the NX, which looks noticeably different from the RAV4. Regardless of where you stand, this tester’s Celestial Silver Metallic paintwork suits the TX’s understated character.
The TX has three powertrain options, and all-wheel-drive is standard on all models in Canada. Our entry-level tester is powered by Toyota’s new 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, making 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, and paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The next step up is the TX 500h, utilizing the same turbo-four but bumped to a combined 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, thanks to the addition of a hybrid powertrain. The top-of-the-line TX 550h+ brings back the tried-and-true 3.5L normally aspirated V6 and pairs it to a plug-in hybrid system, good for 404 horsepower and 53 kilometres of EV-only range.
During our stint with the TX 350, the turbo-four is adequate for city driving, as this motor is best suited for low-end torque. On the other hand, once loaded up with cargo and people, it feels strained on the highway, making us yearn for the silky smooth and effortless V6. On paper, the TX 350 is rated at 10.3 L/100 kilometres combined, but the best we could manage was a thirsty 12.5, even with my attempts at driving like a grandpa and using Eco mode during my routine commute.
Despite the TX’s size, drivers are complimented by a myriad of driver assists from the $8,000 Executive package. Key items include a heads-up display, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, and much more. We are impressed by Lexus including wide array of safety systems and driver assists to keep drivers of any skill level at ease.
The TX’s interior offers a lot of space as I found out in one trip, fitting not one, not two, but five six-foot-tall passengers comfortably regardless of where they sat. Adding to the experience, premium materials such as Alcantara accents on the seats and lower dash were a nice surprise. Soft-touch materials can also be found in the upper door cards, armrest, and centre console area where your knee touches. Hard-wearing plastics are in the appropriate places, such as the lower door cards and side panels, along with areas that clumsy kids will spend most of their time. The TX also boasts impressive interior volume for something that is not a full-size, body-on-frame SUV. Cargo volume measures in at 2,747 litres with all the seats folded down, 1,625 L behind the second row, and 572 L with the third row up.
The cockpit shares the same layout as other Lexus crossovers, with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster flanked by a 14-inch touchscreen all nicely integrated into one housing. Physical knobs for the temperature adjustment and volume control remain, while the rest of the functions are integrated into the touchscreen, which thankfully is very responsive and produces little glare. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come equipped, along with the 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that plays virtually anything with immense clarity and depth. A slight, personal turn-off is the piano black trim that integrates the gauge cluster and infotainment screen. We would also like to see more matte textures or wood finishes sprinkled throughout to add some warmth and brighten up the cabin space.
Despite the nice use of materials, the overall build quality does not live up to Lexus’ high standards. Inside, the infotainment screen creaks while driving over minor undulations. The slightest pressure of your right knee hitting the padded area of the centre console also creaks, even more so in sub-zero temperatures. The glove box door feels loose after closing it, while the centre armrest has noticeable side-to-side slop. Outside, the fuel door on this particular TX was stuck closed due to poor panel alignment, making it not sit properly within its housing. To add insult to injury, you need to push a button on the dashboard to open the fuel door, rather than simply pushing on the door itself.
Seeing these quality-control issues makes us wonder if the TX’s higher price is worth it over the Grand Highlander. The TX 350 starts at $71,500, while our tester came in at $79,500 as-tested with the Executive package. It is cheaper to get into a TX than a comparably equipped Audi Q7, but more expensive than a QX60 and MDX, both of which kick off in the $60,000 range. The counter for the TX’s higher cost of admission compared to the Grand Highlander is the more refined driving experience overall, though the top-spec Grand Highlander Platinum really impressed us with its Lexus-like traits. Compared to the QX60 and MDX, the Lexus TX will likely be worth more in the long run.
The 2024 Lexus TX 350 is little late to the three-row luxury SUV party. Although it capitalizes on excellent road manners and utility, Lexus needs to work on the TX’s overall build quality to justify the price premium not only for the badge, but also for the added quality and care usually associated with Lexus vehicles. Once these first-model-year wrinkles are ironed out, we have no doubt the TX will establish itself as a solid contender in the luxury three-row segment for years to come.
