Alphanumeric nameplates have become as abundant as letters in a big bowl of soup with many automakers choosing to use them over traditional names which is bad news for folks who remember a time when iconic monikers like Camaro, Town Car, and others were regular sights on U.S. roads. This trend is not going away anytime soon, and Lexus is aiming to take full advantage with the 2025 Lexus TX 500h F-Sport. but does the F-Sport have the secret sauce needed to make it stand out from its source material the Toyota Grand Highlander?
TX goes off in its own direction
Lexus designers wanted the TX to go off in its own direction but whether the company succeeded in that front will entirely depend on who you ask. The front end gets an interpretation of the brand’s spindle grille with F-Sport models like our tester getting minor enhancements to help boost its sporty credibility. As a whole, the front end is more assertive but the dark blue color on our tester also exposed how the headlights can make the front look clunky from some angles with the grille shape reminding us of a cheese grater.
That said, we like the rear styling which is a nice balance of aggression and poise with the lightbar working well with the liftgate and the rear bumper. The F-Sport treatment also helps enhance its stage presence and in our eyes, it helps the TX stand out slightly more than some of its rivals in the crowded family vehicle market. The 22-inch wheels on our tester do a good job filling up the wheel arches and they also work well when paired with certain darker colors. Lexus chose to keep updates light for 2025 and potential buyers will need to look very carefully to spot them.
TX’s luxurious interior is comfortable but lacks depth
Slip inside the interior of the TX and you’ll find a cabin that’s comfortable and filled with high-quality materials. F-Sport models trade the wood trim for a more modern look with semi-aniline seats providing buttery smooth comfort to passengers. Storage spaces are abundant in the TX with the interior featuring plenty of storage nooks and cubbies to accent the cupholders. A handy passthrough to the third-row seat helps improve access and second-row passengers get captain’s chairs to ensure they have plenty of room to themselves.
A 14-inch infotainment system is standard on all hybrid versions of the TX with the screen being joined by a 12.5-inch digital instrument cluster with the infotainment system being equipped with Lexus’s updated infotainment software for improved operation and better responses when accessing menus and windows. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard with the screen also having an integrated navigation system standard. Rear cargo space is also on par with its Toyota cousin with our tester being able to swallow a considerable array of items including groceries.
While the interior does its best to project a strong luxurious image, it ultimately lacks depth and comes up short when it comes to being on the same page with the bold exterior styling. The upgraded seats and their enhanced bolstering are welcome but there’s not enough to tell you that you are in an F-Sport model and we wish there was more in place to drive home the point that you are in a truly something special.
Hybrid performance hugs the sweet spot
Performance for our tester comes from a turbocharged 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s paired with a hybrid system to produce a combined system output of 366 horsepower with the setup being paired with a six-speed automatic. Buyers looking for more power will have to go for the TX 550h+ which uses a V6 equipped with a plug-in version of the hybrid system.
The TX 500h is not the fastest SUV in the market but while the engine lacks immediate responses, the suspension in our F-Sport tester makes up for it by allowing the SUV to be a good corner carver for when the roads get twisty. The steering in our tester had a balanced feel to it and the TX felt secure and composed most of the time though it also had no problem letting the driver know when it was time to back off due to the tires reaching their limits in terms of grip. Braking in our tester was also confident but there were times when the pedal felt slightly wooden and lacked good feel. The four-cylinder can also get noisy under hard acceleration with this problem being shared with the V6 used in the 550h+.
The EPA says the TX 500h can get 27/28 mpg in city and freeway driving which is on par with other hybrid SUVs in the market. The 550h+ PHEV comes in slightly better with that model getting one mpg better in both categories. However, the hybrid is ultimately a better pick since the PHEV commands a significant premium for the privilege of enjoying those extra miles per gallon and the limited all-electric driving range.
Value Quotient
Pricing for the 2025 Lexus TX is simple and straight to the point with the family being split into two models the $70,010 F Sport Performance Premium and the $73,160 F Sport Performance Luxury with our tester being the latter. Optional extras took a toll on the final sticker price with our heavily optioned tester crossing over the $80,000 barrier (all pricing does not include fees).
It’s a significant upgrade over the base TX and while an $80,000 price tag is certainly a large chunk of change to throw around, the 500h is a better balance of value and fuel economy with the high levels of technology and luxury on hand being more than enough for most luxury SUV buyers. We look forward to seeing more comprehensive updates on the TX in the near future but in the meantime, look for the TX to continue being the middle ground between the GX and the LX.
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.