First drive of the 2024 Lexus TX: The first 3-row SUV No trucks on the road Lexus
ExitLexus SUV lineupOut In the past, the larger the SUV was and the more trucks it drove, the less practical the interior became. In addition to the RX mid-size crossover,GX and LX are the only way to get third-row seating and Lexus badges – except RX L,RX three-row semi-finished product You would be forgiven if this is your first time learning this. The RX L’s practicality as a three-row SUV is the equivalent of someone taking out a baby carrier and putting the baby in it, thinking it’s a two-row SUV. It’s not as if the GX and LX are more convenient for after school or shopping at Costco. Both SUVs use the chassis of global Toyota 4×4 models. Despite its size, its sturdy frame, transfer case, live rear axle and big V-8 engine don’t leave much room for people and stuff. thisThe new Lexus TX 2024 is a three-row mid-size SUV These minor issues have been resolved, finally giving buyers a practical upgrade from the RX and Lexus alternatives to the Acura MDX and Infiniti QX60.
The boxy exterior design of the new Lexus TX 2024 is not adapted to powerful SUVs;The car is based on the Toyota Grand HighlanderAlso new this year is a huge, much-needed upgrade to the regular Highlander and its very narrow third-row seat. The TX doesn’t have a split frame or hard off-road hardware that takes up floor space, and with the powertrain positioned transversely up front, the floor is low and the rear seats fold flat for a smooth transition from tailgate to front. Large seat row surface and space. The cabin space is vertical with three rows. The driving experience is also different from the GX or LX, even with its handsome design borrowing heavily (and successfully) from the LX’s playbook, even with its new-looking (and somewhat meshless) grille nose.
Three flavours, basically the same feeling
Lexus offers three powertrain options for the TX, and it’s worth noting that all of them can tow up to 5,000 pounds. The Lexus TX350, which is expected to sell in large numbers, comes with a 275-horsepower turbocharged 2.4-liter I-4 engine and an automatic transmission with eight forward or reverse speeds.All-wheel drive.
Next up is the TX500h F Sport Performance hybrid model, which combines the same turbocharged engine with an electric motor and a six-speed automatic transmission, however, this combination powers the front wheels, with a second electric motor independently powering the rear axle. incentivize. The TX500h has a combined output of 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, while fuel economy numbers are better than the TX350’s at 20-21/26-27/23 mpg City/Highway/28/27 mpg. per gallon combined.
Finally, the lineup is dominated by the TX550h+, a hybrid that combines a 3.5-liter V6 with two electric motors (via a continuously variable planetary automatic transmission on the front axle) and a third motor driving the rear wheels. They are combined together. 404 horsepower. Its lithium-ion battery also gives it an all-electric driving range of up to 33 miles, while fuel economy rises to 29/28/29 mpg city/highway/combined.
Each drivetrain gives the 2024 Lexus TX a unique flavor, with the TX350 being the most traditional. F Sport Performance branding makes the TX500h the sportiest model in the Lexus lineup, with lowered 22-inch tires, more aggressive and electronically variable dampers, rear-wheel steering and better bolstered front seats. Lexus also limits the TX500h to a six-passenger configuration with second-row captain’s chairs, which is optional on other seven-passenger (with second-row seating) TX350 and TX550h+ models. The TX350 is available in three trim levels: Standard, Premium and Luxury; The TX500h is only available in Premium and Luxury specifications, while the TX550h+ is only available in the highest Luxury specifications.
The ride in every Lexus TX is surprisingly firm, and we’re not limiting that description to ride quality. The steering and brake pedal are firm and work well with the push-button adjustable suspension. Now, whether consumers expect a stable ride from a three-row luxury family SUV is another matter. The TX350 uses conventional, non-adjustable fixed-speed shocks, and ride quality is acceptable if on the firmer side and well controlled, with a good balance between comfort and handling. The suspension on the TX550h+ is also non-adjustable, and the riding experience is similar.
However, the TX500h F Sport’s performance is nearly consistent. The adaptive dampers also don’t manage rebound movement like other TX setups. When the TX500h goes over bumps, the body moves through the air, giving it an airy feel not found in less sporty models. Meanwhile, the TX500h’s bumps are more severe, though the extra stiffness in the suspension doesn’t provide much of a handling advantage.
The TX500h’s improved handling is due (and it is) in large part to Continental tires on its 22-inch wheels (the same tires are used on different 22-inch wheels on the TX350 and TX550h+) and solid rear-wheel steering. If that equipment sounds familiar, that’s because the smaller RX500h F Sport Performance crossover comes with it, too. On the larger TX, rear-wheel steering reduces the turning radius of an SUV to that of a compact car, making U-turns or parking maneuvers a breeze. And in more intense driving scenarios, it helps the TX angle more aggressively. With 366 horsepower, the TX500h can move, though it doesn’t feel any quicker than, say,Acura MDX S Type with 355 hpPerformance improvements for the MDX series.
However, every TX steers precisely, with good brake pedal response and consistent action. Likewise, the TX350 feels the most composed for everyday use, although its 275-hp engine is only acceptable in a car of this size. The best news is that it was eerily quiet all the way in Texas. Even on rough pavement and compacted concrete highways in Texas, tire noise is almost non-existent. It may not be better than MDX,Front-wheel drive luxury SUV It’s there, but it’s definitely polished and rounded.
What about this plugin?
For the ultimate in smoothness, the TX550h+ plug-in hybrid isn’t priced yet, but it’s sure to be high, and will follow the other TX units when they arrive next year. While the four-cylinder TX engine (including the hybrid) sounds guttural when you press the accelerator, the six-cylinder TX engine’s sound is smoother and more precise. That’s what a V-6 does. Keep in mind that the plug-in can run on electric power alone for a long time, at least when set to the hybrid or full-electric automatic choice; Select full electric mode with the battery fully charged and you can fully rely on the electronics before starting the engine. The trip is 31 miles long.
Regardless of the power source, it blends together like juice in Toyota’s proven planetary transmission, which works like a V6 gasoline engine, and the starter generator and differential drive the electric motor. Take the input and combine it in any way. (For example, the EV charge button lets you keep the engine running, manage the alternator and charge the battery while driving the TX, while the electric drive motor helps you move forward.) A third motor in low-traction situations (actual all-wheel drive) and for Maximum output is at full throttle, power coming from the rear axle.
Yes, the TX550h+ has 404 horsepower, but it feels just as quick as the 366-hp TX500h hybrid. That’s what the extra mass of a larger battery, V6 engine, and other more complex hybrids does to acceleration. But we’d consider buying this plug-in because of its generally smooth operation and nice, quiet V-6 engine, not to mention its all-electric range. It’s the most Lexus-like of the three TX models, but its value will depend on Lexus pricing. The most expensive is the TX500h F Sport Performance, which costs $72,650 before options, while the TX550h+ will likely carry an MSRP of $80,000.
serves? She has some
Fortunately, the 2024 Lexus TX is very practical, but that’s not always guaranteed in the luxury segment of mainstream SUVs. In this case, the TX is stripped Toyota HighlanderThe Acura MDX is a Honda Pilot but with better looks, while the Infiniti QX60 is a Nissan Pathfinder with the same design. The Toyota’s interior is barely covered in paper – or should we say leather – and is practical, with storage space and a thoughtful, family-oriented design. Even the third-row seats come with padded and stitched leather (or faux leather, on the base TX350) armrests and cupholders, phone and tablet slots, USB ports and overhead vents. Adults can also sit comfortably, with plenty of head and legroom, as long as second-row passengers don’t push their seats back or tilt their backrests too far. We only wish the cushions were a little higher off the floor.
There’s no such reticence in the second-row seats, which sit well and high and offer plenty of legroom up front, even without moving the seat cushions to their farthest rear position. A variety of adjustment methods are provided, including manual tilt and one-button push-pull functions, and the third row is accessed through the side door. On top models, the third-row seats can also fold and recline electrically.
Unusually for a three-row car in this class, there’s plenty of luggage space even with the third-row seats open — 20.2 cubic feet, which Lexus claims can accommodate seven rolling carry-on bags. Cargo space expands to 57.4 cubic feet. Fold the second-row seats down and you’ll get a generous 97 cubic feet of space. all of theseFull size SUV These numbers are more in line with the regular-length Cadillac EscaladeInfiniti QX60Cargo volume: 14.5 cubic feet with the third row up, 41.6 cubic feet with the third row down, 75.4 cubic feet with both rear rows flat; Those numbers for the MDX are 16.3/39.1/71.4 cubic feet.
Flexibility is included too, with a removable center console in the rear seat on six-seat models – Lexus even has a nifty black bag in the trunk to store it, although it looks like a slip-on hood – as well as a reconfigurable hatch. Cup holders are located in this console and the front center console.
So, that was a successful triple row – now what?
Some will complain about the obvious mechanical connection between the 2024 Lexus TX and the cheaper and similarly capable Toyota Grand Highlander. This SUV is already a great entry into the competitive mid-size segmentThree-row SUV categoryBut that’s not the point either. Not only does Lexus feel luxurious inside and out, it also offers something for customers who aren’t Toyota fans, or who already own a Lexus (perhaps an RX) and want or need to upgrade to find a larger model. Growing family. It’s more expensive than the QX60 and MDX, but the Lexus is also significantly larger while offering the same ride and handling benefits.
The TX350 is clearly the best choice for the group, as it seats seven and has all the luxury amenities you could want. We’re not sure what the TX500h F Sport Performance Hybrid is – it’s sportier than other TXs, but like the smaller RX500h F Sport Performance Hybrid, Lexus has something for those looking for a performance-tuned family SUV. Destination? ? Are there customers looking for a popular three-row car with a compact interior? The TX550h+’s lack of sportiness puts it ahead of the TX500h in our book, as it’s just as quick but has the TX350’s less aggressive driving experience and an available seven-passenger configuration, plus the available all-electric driving range.
Aside from its crowded powertrain, the TX is the first Lexus SUV you’ll want to buy with a third row of seats. Lexus could have crossed that low bar by building almost anything not based on a truck platform and calling it “today,” but instead turning it into a roomy, well-designed, quiet truck that combined a luxury image with mainstream practicality. It brings it together and blends it together better than any other truck. Another product. part.