First Look Review: The 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid is a complete luxury SUV

Update (March 28, 2024): Images and text adjusted throughout the article for easier reading.

After years of Lexus clients demanding a three-row crossover, the company finally has a ‘proper’ answer – the TX Hybrid. While the RX L Hybrid was a somewhat incomplete attempt, the TX Hybrid demonstrates Lexus’ dedication to its discerning customers who may not favor the off-road-oriented LX. Recently, I got to experience the comfort, space, and features of the 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid (2024 Lexus TX 500h F Sport Performance). Here are my findings:

Design

The 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid is a mechanical cousin of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid, and seeing both models back-to-back at the 2023 LA Auto Show, I can confirm that the connection is quite noticeable even in the looks. However, I feel that’s not a bad thing at all, as the base design is of a high standard.

In my opinion, the semi-blocky exterior of the 2024 TX Hybrid is just the perfect balance between the elegance of a crossover and the burliness of an SUV. The low-profile front-end, featuring a subtly designed, low-set Spindle grille, looks neat. The small Lexus logo positioned just before the hood shut line, along with the sleek headlamps, whose daytime running lights extend into the narrow aperture beneath the hood’s leading edge, adds to the vehicle’s classy yet assertive appearance.

I have no complaints with the side profile either, where I find the large, squarish glass panels, muscular wheel arches, and simplistic bodywork to be part of the charm, giving proper SUV vibes. At the rear, I think the subtle brand inscription is a neat touch and even the horizontal light band, but the combination lamps could’ve been executed better. As evident in its greenhouse, the 2024 Lexus TX doesn’t seem like an afterthought and is a proper three-row model.

Also See: 2024 Lexus TX 500h struck me as classy in this Nightfall Mica color

When I checked the 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid for its build quality, I found that it had tight panel gaps, aligned evenly. The paint quality also felt to be of the highest standards.

Interior

Entering the 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid is easier than the RX L Hybrid, thanks to the new Digital Latch feature. When I approach the SUV with its smart key and grab its door handle, the door will automatically unlock and unlatch. This particular unit was in the F Sport Performance Luxury trim, loaded with features like 8-way power-adjustable front seats with enhanced bolsters, power lumbar support, heating, ventilation, and memory (driver-only); heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs; and 50/50 power-reclining and power-folding third-row seats.

I felt that the sleek and angular dashboard, the driver-focused cockpit area, and the chunky yet elegant center console went well with the exterior theme. Lexus has used soft-touch materials in most places, including the third-row armrests.

My favorite part of the interior was the 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen infotainment system. I liked the clean and crisp user interface of this system, and it was as smooth and easy to use as I expected. I liked the digital climate control knobs, which added not only presented the temperature readout clearly but also amped up the luxury vibe in the cabin. I found the clever placement of the vehicle start/stop button between this system and the instrument cluster convenient, as it was close to my dominant (right) hand on the steering wheel.

The 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster also had sharp and minimalist graphics. I’d appreciate the abundance of USB Type-C ports in the cabin during long road trips with my family, with three located in the front of the front center console, two at the bottom rear of the front center console, and one on both sides of the third-row seats.

When I saw the front center console in detail, I found it was even more practical than I had thought. The squarish cupholders are removable, which makes them easy to clean. The dual-opening lid of the storage box allows both front occupants to access it easily. The storage box is quite deep, but it’s not very long.

I’m six feet tall, and when I sat in the driver’s seat, I experienced excellent headroom. The driver’s seat was nicely bolstered and offered good under-thigh support. Thanks to the boxy body and the large glass panels all around, exterior visibility was great. The steering wheel with heating, power tilt-and-telescopic column adjustment, and memory functions felt rightly sized.

With Lexus claiming every seat is the best seat in the house, it was time to step into the rear, and instead of pulling a handle, I simply had to press a button to release the door. Like in the front, I had no issues with ingress or egress in the second row. The doors opened wide, giving me plenty of space to enter or exit the vehicle comfortably. This particular 2024 TX Hybrid was a six-seater with captain’s chairs in the second row. Intrigued by the fact that its nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) traction battery pack is mounted beneath, I was particularly interested in evaluating the comfort level it offered.

In my experience, the second-row seats offer plenty of leg space and knee room. Under-thigh support was also good, and I had ample headroom. I think passengers even over six feet tall would find themselves quite comfortable here. The second-row center console’s semi-console box would be useful for stowing my iPad.

To access the third-row seats, I exited the vehicle and pressed a button on the shoulder of the second-row seat, which automatically tilted and moved it forward. I had enough space to enter and exit the third row comfortably.

For obvious reasons, my knees were a little high up, and under-thigh support was average but still impressive, considering the size of the vehicle. Legroom and knee room were decent, too, and as for headroom, my hair was brushing the headliner. Reclining the third-row seat did help me improve comfort, and I liked the range of adjustment this function offered.

The 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid features a kick-activated power rear door, opening which reveals a cargo area with an impressive 20.2 cu. ft. of luggage space. Folding the third-row seats increases that figure to 57.4 cu. ft., and folding the second-row seats further bumps that number to 97 cu. ft. Lexus equips the 2024 TX Hybrid with a temporary spare tire under the load floor in the cargo area.

Driving Impressions

The 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid has a 2.4-liter turbocharged gas engine producing 271 hp and 339 lb.-ft. of torque under the hood, supported by a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) that generates 85 hp and 215 lb.-ft. of torque. Another PMSM that can drive the wheels is on duty at the rear axle. Developing 101 hp and 124 lb.-ft. of torque, it gives the hybrid SUV an all-wheel drive drivetrain layout. With a system power of 366 hp and a Lexus-est. fuel economy of 27 MPG (city)/28 MPG (hwy)/27 mpg (comb.), the 2024 TX Hybrid serves needs of both performance and efficiency.

Those who have tested the 2024 TX Hybrid would also tell you that they’re impressed with the way it drives. The parallel hybrid powertrain is lively, while the 6-speed automatic transmission transfers power to the front wheels smoothly. The firm chassis and the rear-wheel steering make it fun to drive, with the latter also helping to make maneuvers on tight urban roads easier. A standard adaptive variable suspension system helps improve handling and minimize body roll. What could’ve been better is the steering wheel, which doesn’t have that solid feeling.

Price

The 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid is available in F Sport Performance Premium and F Sport Performance Luxury trims, for $69,350 and $72,650, respectively. These prices include a $1,350 destination, processing, and handling fee.

TopElectricSUV says

The 2024 Lexus TX Hybrid offers style, great quality, plenty of comfort and convenience features, and a roomy interior for six adults. It also manages good fuel economy and, according to early reviews, impressive performance and handling for a three-row SUV. While its starting price of almost USD 70,000 isn’t low, I feel that it’s also not excessively high, considering the value that it offers. In my view, it stands as the best three-row SUV available in its price range.

Also See: First Look Review: The 2024 Lexus TX PHEV has space, efficiency & class

2024 Lexus TX Hybrid FAQs

This first look review article has some contributions from our reader.