Why Didn’t They Think Of This Before?

Since Lexus introduced its midsize RX in 1998, it’s been the king of luxury crossover SUVs. Not only did it immediately become America’s best-selling SUV, it also took the title of America’s best-selling luxury SUV and Lexus’ top-selling model of all time—titles that it still retains today. Clearly, Lexus knows a thing or two about the breed. To further capitalize on its impervious recipe, the automaker expanded its luxury CUV lineup to include the smaller, more affordable NX and UX.

But Lexus didn’t seem to go the other way, towards the larger end of the spectrum. Americans clearly love big SUVs, especially if they have money to burn on a luxury model. But, if you wanted a big, three-row luxury SUV, you had to make a giant leap to a clunky full-size pickup-based American alternative. That is, until Mercedes-Benz proved otherwise with the GLS-Class (formerly GL) in 2011, with the BMW X7 following suit in 2019. Others also cashed in, with similar-sized models like the GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave, and Cadillac XT6. So, why didn’t Lexus take its successful cousin, the Toyota Highlander, and make a luxury version of it?

Well, now they have. It’s called the Lexus TX, and it’s the company’s first-ever full-size crossover SUV. Introduced in 2023 as a 2024 model, it arrived nearly 30 years after the RX took America by storm. Knowing how popular big, luxurious SUVs are, it makes one wonder, what took them so darn long?

To see what it’s all about, Lexus sent me its mid-range TX 500h hybrid variant in F-Sport trim to test for a few days.

In order to provide you with an honest and unbiased review, I drove the vehicle reviewed in this article on a daily basis over the brief course of two days on loan. For detailed insight into testing procedures and data collection, please review our methodology policy.

2025 Lexus TX 500h F-Sport First Impressions

Anyone who knows Lexus knows that they’re essentially much nicer driving and far more luxurious Toyotas. While the idea of badge-engineering—or taking a basic model then dressing it up with fancier appointments and more standard equipment—has always received its fair share of criticism, Lexus always went above and beyond separating their models from their basic Toyota roots.

Upon first glance, it’s easy to see where the TX comes from and how it’s related to its lesser

Toyota cousin, the Highlander
. More specifically, the Grand Highlander. Not only does it ride on the same Toyota Next Generation Global Architecture or TNGA-K platform. But it’s also the same size, offers the same amount of seating, and even utilizes the same powertrains. Boil it down, and the TX is basically a Grand Highlander, but with Lexus badges, more upscale appearances inside and out, and more luxurious appointments. Sounds on point for a Lexus.

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

Because the TX is essentially a Grand Highlander dressed up as a Lexus, it certainly drives like one. But better and much nicer, with a smoother ride, more buttoned-down body control, and even slightly sportier manners. I say slightly sportier, cautiously, since a three-row family-biased luxury crossover SUV tipping the scales at two-and-a-half tons is hardly considered sporty.

But there are some considerable modifications that do add up. Like the F-Sport trim’s larger wheels, more aggressive suspension tuning, quicker steering, and reinforced chassis and suspension welding points. All are compliments of Lexus’ “LDS” driving philosophy, which seeks to evenly blend luxurious and performance-driving experiences into one package.

Initial turn-in feels crisper with more sophisticated mid-corner composure and high-speed stability than its Grand Highlander cousin. While no RC F or LC 500, the TX 500h F-Sport overall feels sprightlier and more willing to hug the road and be driven quickly.

Braking And Acceleration

Lexus offers the TX with three forms of propulsion: gas-only (TX 350), gas-electric hybrid (TX500h), and gas-electric plug-in hybrid (TX550h+). Our mid-range TX500h hybrid sports the same turbocharged 2.4-liter T24A-FTS four-cylinder as the Toyota Grand Highlander, the Tacoma, the U.S.-spec Land Cruiser, and is even shared with the NX and the RX.

With electric motor assist, the TX 500h’s acceleration matches the expectations set forth by its total system output of

366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque
. Although I was unable to time the 0-60 MPH sprint, our industry colleagues experienced 0-60 times in the neighborhood of just under six seconds. Thankfully, unlike other Toyota and Lexus models, engineers retained a conventional six-speed automatic, versus a soul-sucking continuously-variable transmission.

Shaving off speed also felt more than adequate, thanks to a nice, firm, and progressive pedal feel. Even with the hybrid system’s regenerative braking system.

• Acceleration 0-60 MPH: 5.7-6.0 Seconds (Est.)
• Top Speed: 116 MPH (Electronically Limited)

Performance Specifications

2025 Lexus TX 500h Fuel Economy

The Environmental Protection Agency officially rates the TX 500h as capable of up to 27 miles per gallon in the city, 27 on the highway, and 28 combined. For a large, three-row luxury crossover with respectable acceleration performance, that’s pretty darn good. Such figures are largely attributed to the TX’s signature hybrid drive system.

However, because of my short time with the TX 500h, I wasn’t really able to thoroughly test the fuel economy over a long distance of driving. The onboard trip computer did say that it was returning around 26-28 miles per gallon in a mixture of suburban and highway traffic in Northern New Jersey and Upstate New York.

Interior Design And Comfort

Both interior design and comfort have always been major selling points for Lexus. The story is no different with

the TX 500h
, with its high-quality choice of materials and solid fit and finish. Like other Lexus models, it’s as quiet as a library with virtually nonexistent noise, vibration, harshness levels. And the seats are clearly designed to keep you stress-free whenever tackling any amount of pavement.

Lexus designers have always done well to keep their interiors minimalistic and typically free of button fests, but without any confusion. The TX continues this theme by incorporating the majority of the HVAC and infotainment buttons in its latest brand-wide 14-inch Lexus Interface Multimedia System. Thankfully, pertinent functions such as temperature adjustment and volume control are left to physical knobs and buttons.

Interior Dimensions

Technology And Ease Of Use

Lexus introduced its current infotainment system interface back in 2021. It replaced the controversial center armrest-placed touchpad and joystick controllers that powered prior Lexus systems for over a decade. Gone is any sort of physical apparatus and instead, it’s all relegated to the massive floating screen on top of the center console.

Thankfully, despite the nearly full integration into the screen, the digital graphical user interface is easy to use. The menu hierarchy is simple and logical, and things are where you expect them to be according to label.

One interface, however, that does take some getting used to, is the steering-based controls for the driver information display in the gauge cluster and the heads-up display. With older systems, the steering buttons allowed for control of the menu systems in the gauge cluster. However, Lexus moved a large portion of the interface to the heads-up display. Logically, it makes sense as it’s designed to keep your eyes up and forward. But overall, it takes some getting used to.

Cargo And Storage Space

With 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, cargo space is surprisingly plentiful. With the furthest seats down, the space more than doubles to 57.4 cubic feet. Fold all the rear seats down, and hauling space grows to a whopping 97 cubes, which is one of the largest of its kind. Only competitors like the GMC Acadia’s and Buick Enclave’s 23-97.5 cubes come even close.

That’s significantly bigger than both the former class-leading Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade, both of which 48 to 86 cubes. And it’s even more than a far more expensive Mercedes-Benz GLS and BMW X7, both of which have around 42-48 cubes behind the second row and 84.7-90.4 cubes with all the seats down.

2025 Lexus TX 500h vs. Its Competitors

As a full-size three-row luxury crossover SUV with a starting price of $57,840 including $1,350 destination, which goes as high as $79,910 for the top-spec TX 550h+, the TX has its sights set directly on the likes of the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. But because of its entry price in the mid-fifties, it also competes with some larger, upscale midsize alternatives. Such includes the GMC Acadia, Cadillac XT6, Buick Enclave, the Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, Infiniti QX60, Volvo XC90, and Acura MDX.

A Compelling Large Luxury CUV That Makes You Wonder Why Lexus Didn’t Make It Sooner

As the purveyor of the best-selling SUV and luxury SUV America of all time, the Lexus TX makes you wonder why the Japanese automaker didn’t make it sooner. Large, three-row crossover SUVs are undoubtedly one of the most popular and in-demand vehicles in all the land, and it’s a concept that’s been around for over a decade at this point.

Now that Lexus is playing in the full-size luxury crossover space, a segment pioneered by Mercedes, buyers can look into another quality alternative if they don’t want to copy their neighbor’s move with either the Benz or the Bimmer X7. Because it’s also a Lexus, it presents significantly more value, with the base gas-only TX 350 starting at just $56,490 without destination. That undercuts both the GLS’s $89,200 and the X7’s $84,300 starting price by roughly $30,000 in either direction. But the Lexus isn’t any less of a car than either of the Germans, which makes it a hugely compelling alternative.