Lexus refines its approach to three-row travel with the TX, offering adult-sized comfort in every seat and a ride tuned for confidence over long distances. Its platform prioritizes smooth, stable dynamics while still allowing for generous cargo flexibility. Powertrain options include a gas engine, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid. For 2025, updates add more standard tech and a sharper F Sport Handling model, though it stays focused on pavement performance.
DESIGN
Lexus enters the three-row segment with the TX, prioritizing spaciousness, comfort, and elevated design. Shared underpinnings with the RX and NX offer familiarity, but tuning and cabin execution push it into more premium territory. Three powertrains are available, and our model featured the $895 Convenience Package, the $1,160 Mark Levinson sound system, and the $1,280 Tech Package for enhanced safety and driver assistance.
Daily driving benefits from well-integrated tech that doesn’t overwhelm. Front-cross traffic alert lends confidence in busy areas, while traffic jam assist manages low-speed flow with minimal input. Digital Key provides access and ignition via smartphone alone. Audio quality stands out, with the Mark Levinson system delivering rich, full-bodied sound that maintains clarity through a range of speeds and driving conditions.
Coated in Nightfall Mica, the TX presents a restrained yet elegant profile. A reworked spindle grille blends into its front fascia with clean transitions, avoiding overly aggressive styling cues. Smooth paneling and simplified character lines help convey a sense of quiet luxury, matching Lexus’s direction toward subtler design language that favors proportion and balance over flash.
Cabin layout feels familiar to RX drivers but scales up with added space and thoughtful details. While this F SPORT trim lacks semi-aniline upholstery, soft-touch surfaces and solid craftsmanship create a refined environment. A large infotainment screen, LC-inspired gear selector, and modular cupholders enhance usability. Rear drink holders are placed for easier access, avoiding the awkward setups seen in some European alternatives.
Reaching the third row takes little effort with a one-touch sliding second-row seat. Space in the rear is generous enough for adult passengers on short trips, with power-reclining seatbacks offering a welcome upgrade. Some cargo capacity is sacrificed to maintain this comfort, though USB-C ports offer rear convenience. Rear heated seats would be a thoughtful addition for colder climates.
Infotainment advances significantly from previous Lexus iterations, centered around a wide, responsive display. Once familiar, menu navigation becomes second nature. Head-up display models introduce steering wheel controls with touch-sensitive inputs that adjust to finger movement. Included in the Tech Package, a surround-view camera system and self-parking functions simplify tight maneuvering in urban settings or narrow driveways.
Screen responsiveness could benefit from refinement. Brief taps occasionally go unrecognized, forcing slower inputs that interrupt flow. Certain functions work best when paired with dedicated physical buttons, especially for cabin climate adjustments. A return to traditional knobs and toggles would reduce distraction and allow drivers to make quick changes without shifting attention away from the road.
PERFORMANCE
Engine choices in the TX lineup suit a range of driving needs. Our TX 350 tester uses a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with an 8-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. That output mirrors what’s found in the NX and RX. Those seeking more power can look to the TX 500h, which adds a 64 kW electric motor and a 6-speed transmission, yielding 366 horsepower.
Hybrid advantages in efficiency and extra torque are clear, but the TX 350 delivers a more unified driving feel. Acceleration builds smoothly without hesitation, even under load. Shifts from the 8-speed transmission arrive cleanly and with better rhythm than what’s found in the hybrid’s six-speed. Cabin sound remains muted, even when pushing higher into the rev range during uphill climbs or freeway passing maneuvers.
Ride quality sets the tone in the TX 350, with its adaptive suspension absorbing broken pavement and expansion joints effortlessly. Comfort holds steady at both low and highway speeds, creating a calm, isolated cabin feel. We previously drove both the GX and LX, which you can find reviewed here and here, and found the TX emphasizes on-road composure over off-road ruggedness. Braking feel remains a shared weakness with its hybrid sibling.
Stopping effort lacks immediacy, especially during light braking. Initial pedal travel feels soft and requires more input than expected for a vehicle in this class. Feedback remains linear but uninspiring. One quirk that detracts from daily use is the auto brake hold system, which needs to be reactivated after each start and is tucked awkwardly beneath the shifter, making it easy to overlook.
VERDICT
Pricing for the 2025 Lexus TX 350 F SPORT begins at $64,410. With added equipment and optional packages, our test vehicle reached $69,430, positioning it among higher-end offerings in the luxury SUV class. That figure aligns with the level of refinement, technology, and performance Lexus delivers, offering buyers a well-rounded package that justifies the investment for those seeking comfort paired with confident capability.
Competition
Among premium three-row SUVs with hybrid or plug-in options, the Lexus TX offers a modest upper hand in interior space and practicality compared to rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and Volvo XC90. While it stops just short of delivering a full luxury experience, it remains a compelling choice. Shoppers favoring engaging dynamics and similar features may find the Mazda CX-90 equally appealing in both value and refinement.
