2024 Lexus TX is a Grand Highlander with a muy macho makeover

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The cynic might see Lexus’ new TX as a mere makeover. It is after all, basically just a three-row Toyota Grand Highlander — the platform and wheelbase are all but identical — with more leather and a more menacing grille. Typically, that’s what happens upscale brands “upgrade” lesser models.

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But there’s a little more to it than that, here. Lexus takes the TX further than its Toyota twin in the powertrain department. Oh, the new TX 350’s base powertrain is based on the 2.4L turbo already unveiled in Toyota trim, and its 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque are familiar.

A little less identical, but still vaguely familiar, is the 2.4L turbo hybrid, which combines that same motor with an electric motor for a total of 366 hp and 409 lb-ft. Eagle-eyes will spot that those numbers represent a four-horsepower and a nine-pound-feet improvement over the Hybrid Max version of the Grand Highlander. Though no explanation is given for the whys and hows, we can expect the boost comes from the battery side of the equation, since that is more easily modified than boosting the gas engine.

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More noticeable, if you see the emphasis of hybrids as fuel economy, is this difference: that the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max boasts 8.8 L/100 kilometres, while this Lexus version — with the inexplicably complicated moniker TX 500h Direct4 AWD — consumes 9.8 L/100 km.

Four lousy ponies and nine torques do not require an extra litre per 100 kilometres, was my first thought, but as Toyota Canada explains, these figures are preliminary — and therefore deliberately conservative — and the TX 500h does run on rather big 22-inch wheels, to be fair. Assuming that the first is the lesser of the reasons for the discrepancy, those looking at how much their need for stylishly humongous rims cost have it right there in dollars, cents, and tailpipe emissions.

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The Mac Daddy of Lexus TXs, however, will be the equally inexplicably named TX 550h+ Direct4 AWD. The 550h — which is what every owner will call it — will be a plug-in hybrid, and the first Lexus to combine a 3.5-litre V6 engine, Direct4 all-wheel-drive and a battery. Though Lexus makes no mention of the size of said battery, the company does say the 550h is good for 53 kilometres on electricity alone.

It also averages but 7.8 L/100 km, despite boasting 406 horsepower (no torque figure has been released). No performance figures are given, but I suspect we’re about to see a three-row luxury SUV that can scoot to 100 kilometres an hour in less than six seconds and still deliver phenomenal fuel economy. I also think the TX 550h is a giant middle finger to all those decrying Toyota’s continue allegiance to hybrid powertrains.

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2024 Lexus TX packs in luxury

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Lexus says the TX, like all its vehicles, has a driver-focused cockpit design. There’s also a huge 14-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system; a 21-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System; and no fewer than seven charging and communication ports and three power outlets. In other words, no one’s iPhone will be wanting for electricity. Ditto for cupholders and storage compartments, the front centre console even offering a stowage binnacle with a lid that opens in multiple directions.

As for seating, both captain’s chairs and a 60-40 split-folding bench are available. Access to the third row is made easier with a slide-assist walk-in mechanism. With a press of the switch on the seat shoulder, the seat first tilts forward, and then a “slide assist” spring slides and folds the second-row seats. If you do order the captain’s chairs, there’s another storage compartment in the second-row centre console which can either hold a tablet of drinks, thanks to a removable cupholder.

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Stowable capacity, meanwhile, is virtually identical to the Grand Highlander. There’s 20.1 cubic (569L) of cargo space behind the third row of seats, a capacity equal to many two-row SUVs. Fold down the rearmost seats — electrically, of course — and that cargo capacity grows to 57.4 cubes (1,625L), and if both seats are stowed, there’s a whopping 97 cubic feet (2,747L) — the equal of some vehicles’ entire cabin volume — of space to pile in the junk. A beer run in a Lexus TX is a never-ending ‘kegger.’

2024 Lexus TX puts safety first