When we first tested the Lexus TX for the 2024 model year, we were under a boxy revolution – vehicles like the enormously popular Hyundai Santa Fe, Toyota Land Cruiser and the Lexus GX were all flagships of a very squared off, rugged look – and yes, they all seemed to be feeling the spirit of Range Rover.
Well, it’s been a big hit, and it gave us an opportunity to look at another favorite of ours in the big box sweeps, the Lexus TX, tested here in the 550h+ AWD model with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that makes it both impressively powerful and efficient. Hop in the box – we’re going for a test drive!
Square-Jawed Good Looks
When the TX first came out, the front end was controversial with a massive, slatted grille. Well surprise, the look has really grown on us, and in our tester’s Luxury trim, it’s a tasteful blend of grille, a bit of bling, and angled projector beam headlights with a slash-style driving light design gives it an aggressive frown. Low-mounted projector beam fogs and a contrasting lower fascia finish off the look.
That prominent probiscis flows into a handsome profile. This is a large vehicle, and the proportions make it look powerful and sporty. The TX rides on the same platform as the Lexus RX and NX interestingly, and it’s larger than both, in fact it nearly a half foot longer than the Kia Telluride.
There’s a strong swept-back windshield, a tight greenhouse, and muscular fender flares that are color-keyed on our tester for a “linebacker in a 3-piece suit” blend of sport and lux. And we’re obsessed with the luxury model’s 22-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels that really fill the wheel wells and give a huge hit of visual pop.
The rear finishes off the show with an L-shaped light bar that emphasizes the width of the vehicle, L E X U S spelled out tastefully in big block letters, and a contrasting black lower bumper fascia for some added oomph.
The best part of our tester’s impressive display is the new-for-2026 Matador Red Mica paint, a great, bold and yet classy red color that really turns heads –as we tested our TX over the holidays, one passerby said this is the red sled Santa wishes he really had – and we agree!
L is for Luxury
Inside, the TX 550 impresses with elegance and luxury.
Open the door and you’re greeted by the look and smell of rich Semi-Aniline leather upholstery, in a beautiful off-white color that contrasts handsomely with a wide sweeping dash, and a large center console gives an enticing driver’s ambience. There’s also an obvious emphasis on high-quality materials – you know you’re in premium vehicle immediately.
While our 2024 tester was an F SPORT with a more aggressive look and sport-intense seats, we loved the cushioned cosseting of our 2026 Luxury trim tester’s heated and ventilated front seats. They’ll be no complaints from the 2nd row, thanks to individua captain’s chairs that are also heated and ventilated. The 3rd row is best for kids, but access is easy.
With all seats up, the cargo space is surprisingly spacious, with over 20 cubic feet of capacity, and the 3rd row seats power down to create 57.4 cubic feet. For the full effect, the 2nd row also folds flat to create a massive cargo hold of 97 cubic feet – though we might opt for a darker color upholstery if we were to do a lot of dedicated hauling.
To give an idea of how spacious the TX is, the Kia Telluride cargo stats are 21,46, and 87 cubic feet respectively. Yes, the Lexus is massively roomy!
Our favorite seat in the house is still the driver’s and the goodness starts with a 12.3-inch driver’s gauge display with driver configurability and has clever displays that pull up when you activate key features on the steering wheel, like setting the Adaptive Cruise control and then disappear once things are set. We especially liked Sport Mode screen that gives you a tachometer that’s missing in the other modes. We also found the head-up display on our tester useful.
That wide dash also serves up a handsome 14-inch touchscreen display that flows nicely into the design, kind of a middle path between most European’s single sweeping dual displays, and previous Lexus and Toyota models that have a stand-alone tablet that looks kind of old tech these days.
The screen’s generous width gives a beautiful display and maps, apps and the like are big and easy to read. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto look great, and overall, the system is well-designed for easy use. Even the climate controls that are accessed through the system have dedicated parts of the display and are quick and intuitive. Best of all for us, Lexus includes a dedicated volume knob at the bottom of the display! All the better to enjoy the optional Mark Levinson premium audio system.
Also worth mentioning, the overly fidgety Lexus touchpad system has been dust binned – we never really liked it, and the touch screen does everything well. To make things even easier, you can just say “Hey Lexus” and adjust info-tainment, navigation and climate control settings by voice.
A Tale of Two Hybrids
Interestingly, Lexus gives you a choice in hybrid powertrains. The TX 550h comes with a turbo, 2.4-liter four cylinder and two electric motors, serving up an impressive 366 horsepower and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. But stepping up to the Plug-in hybrid 550h+ and you get a 3.5-liter V6 with two electric motors for a jaw dropping 404 horsepower.
It’s a sweet-sounding but reserved V6, truly suiting the brand vibe, and still, if you give it the boot 0-60 mph is just over 5 seconds – impressively quick for such a big vehicle. On the other hand, the plug-in hybrid PHEV powertrain means you get up to 33 miles in pure EV mode. Charging the system can be done in as little as 3 hours. Efficiency is also impressive, the 550h+ serving up 29 mpg combined in gasoline-only mode.
Another interesting comparison, our previous F SPORT TX was tuned for more canyon carving and had an adaptative suspension to really dial in the ride for your needs. Our TX 550h is more of a luxury liner, and we think it really suits the big SUV. The ride is Lexus supple and smooth, but those big 22-inch wheels and tires combined with DIRECT 4 All Wheel Drive makes for a plenty of grip and a surprisingly spirited handler. Maybe it’s not quite up to more aggressive handling European competitors like BMW, but we found our tester plenty capable and enjoyable.
Another plus, we found that the TX does not feel as large as it is when driving – it seems to shrink down and that makes it easy to maneuver and park. We do love the overhead and 360-degree parking views on the big monitor, too.
When you’ve got the family on board, you’ll be happy to know every TX has the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 looking after you. It’s got all the latest features you’d expect, but one that caught our eye was Proactive Driving Assist – yes that would be PDA – that uses the vehicle’s camera and radar to provide gentle braking and/or steering into curves to help support driving tasks such as distance control between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist. Very cool!
Our tester also had optional Front Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park with Remote Park as part of the Convenience Package. All good stuff, and highly recommended.
How much for a Sexy Lexy?
This is a premium luxury brand, so don’t expect bargain basement pricing. That said, if you love the TX looks, size and vibe and can go without a hybrid, pricing starts at $57,090 for the TX350 FWD. We think that’s impressive value for a luxury 3-row SUV with loads of tech and the quality and premium-ness of a Lexus.
In the TX world, our 550h+ AWD is the whole enchilada model, and starts at $79,510. Tasteful options included 120V/1,500-watt power outlet ($560), Convenience Package (895), Technology Package ($2,380), some added accessories, and Destination charge of $1,450. All totaled, we rang the bell at $85,863.
Competitors would include the Volvo XC90 Ultra, T8 AWD Plug-in hybrid. At $84,695, it offers a gorgeous interior and handsome design as well. If you can forego the hybrid, we really enjoyed our time in the Acura MDX, leaning more towards sport, it’s a delightful blend of 3-row SUV goodness. Yours for $77,800.
Stunning looks, powerful performance, plug in hybrid efficiency and pure Lexus luxury, the 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ is the ultimate 3-row luxury SUV!
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