When Lexus first teased that it was going to bring a luxury three-row SUV to the party, it was pretty obvious that the Toyota Grand Highlander would play a prominent role in its construction. However, we were curious to see what Lexus exclusive touches the Japanese luxury brand would give the TX in its attempt to make the SUV distinct and unique. Thankfully the wait is now over, and we get to see the final result, the 2024 Lexus TX
2024 Lexus TX Adds Spice To Grand Highlander Formula
If the Grand Highlander is the equivalent of a steak dinner at Golden Corral, the TX is like going to a fancy steakhouse for the same meal, especially with some of the premium fixings that you get on your plate. The exterior styling has the same core profile as the Grand Highlander but the front fascia gets a “Unified Grille,” which is the brand’s latest attempt at revamping the iconic (albeit slightly controversial) front spindle grille. The headlights are narrower than its Toyota cousin, with a sleek piece of black trim connecting the two together.
Meanwhile, the rear of the TX gets a full-width L-shaped lightbar, with the rear bumper also being reworked in an attempt to be more sporty looking. We like the end result, but certain colors can make the TX look pretty garish from certain angles (including the white Lexus used in its press photos). That aside, the TX will also come in a wide range of flavors, including an F-Sport Performance model that adds sporty elements to the SUV, while the Luxury model adds more chrome accents. The TX’s proportions will also allow it to go head-to-head with rivals, including the Audi Q7 and the Mercedes-Benz GLS, with the TX’s 116-inch wheelbase allowing it to squeeze between those two in the size charts.
Hauling The Family Has Never Been So Luxurious
Slip inside the 2024 TX, and it becomes pretty evident that Toyota wanted to make the TX experience a step above the Grand Highlander’s. Like before, the Toyota DNA does bleed through into core elements of the interior design, but Lexus designers also managed to find several ways to add some unique touches to the TX. The 14.0-inch infotainment system is the same one that we have seen on other Toyota and Lexus offerings, with the TX’s being mated to a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system (the Grand Highlander gets a JBL-sourced system instead.) Lexus didn’t reveal if a smaller base screen will be offered, but chances are good that it will be the Grand Highlander’s 12.3-inch screen. In the meantime, the TX can also be equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Buyers can choose from either second-row captain’s chairs or a 60/40 split-folding bench seat, with the second row featuring a removable center console. The TX also comes with seven charging ports as well as three power outlets which should make the SUV a rolling hub for owners looking to power multiple devices, especially when embarking on a long family trip. When the TX is not assigned the task of hauling people, it can also haul cargo very well too, with the TX having the ability to haul 97 cubic feet of cargo with all the seats folded down.
A Trio Of Engines For Any Occasion
When the 2024 Lexus TX lineup goes on sale, the model will be available in four distinct flavors: Standard, Premium, Luxury, and F-Sport, with three powertrains lurking under the hood. The base TX 350 gets a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 275 horsepower, while the TX500h gets a hybrid-equipped version of the 2.4-liter that makes 366-hp in F-Sport models and gets Lexus’s Direct4 all-wheel drive system standard. In a curious move, the range-topping TX 550h+ uses a 3.5-liter plug-in hybrid V6 that makes 406-hp but it does not use this engine in the F Sport. Instead, the engine is exclusive to the Luxury model, with Lexus claiming that it actually made this decision to enhance luxury versus making the 550h+ a raw performance model, with part of this decision being influenced by the CVT transmission (the other two versions get a six and eight-speed automatic respectively.)
The TX will come with 20-inch wheels standard on the Base, Premium, and Luxury grades, with buyers having the option to swap out the 20s on the Luxury for bigger 22-inch hoops. The F Sport also gets access to the bigger wheels, but these models will have a model-exclusive design to help them look sportier when compared to their siblings.
When Can I Buy One?
Lexus hasn’t formally unveiled pricing for the 2024 Lexus TX lineup yet, but the model will be a noticeable improvement over the 2022 Lexus RX 350 L, a hastily engineered three-row RX that died a quiet death when the revamped RX lineup appeared in 2023. Chances are good that the TX will be firmly in the mid $50,000 range, which makes sense since the TX will fill the gap between the smaller RX and the more trail-focused GX.
The TX will be assembled at Lexus’s Indiana plant, with the TX 350 and TX 500h arriving in dealerships later this year. TX 550h+ buyers will have to wait a bit for their chance to get one, with these versions not arriving until early next year.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.