Joke in regards to the new Lexus TX’s identify all you need, however it’s no joke with regards to what the three-row crossover is designed to do: haul folks and their households in spacious luxurious. Lexus provides the TX with three completely different engine choices, and consumers desirous to ease into electrification can go for the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid. While they’ll be glad with how nicely it hauls folks and their issues, the value of the plug-in hybrid system is perhaps too large of a capsule to swallow.
Full Disclosure: I patiently waited till Lexus’ TX reached the fleets so I may get my palms on one for every week of real-world testing. It dealt with all my household hauling duties with ease, together with Costco runs and crumb-filled seats.
Lexus’ new TX was launched as a brand new nameplate for 2024, sharing a platform, some mechanicals and the fundamental physique construction and styling with Toyota’s new Grand Highlander. Both had been developed to take a shot throughout the bow of the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride because the Toyota group’s largest devoted three-row household haulers. Lexus desperately wanted the TX — the body-on-frame GX and LX apart, the model has had no three-row SUV in its lineup for the final couple of years after the demise of the compromised RX L, which was one thing sellers begged Lexus for however had a 3rd row so tiny that it was almost ineffective.
There is one thing for everybody within the TX’s lineup. The TX 350 is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 with 275 horsepower, whereas the TX 500h F Sport comes with the identical engine connected to a hybrid system for a complete of 366 hp. This TX 550h+ is the most costly and strongest TX you should buy. Its 3.5-liter V6 is paired with a plug-in-hybrid system and a bigger lithium-ion battery pack for 404 whole horsepower and an electrical driving vary of 33 miles.
That plug-in-hybrid system will value you. Including vacation spot, the TX 550h+ begins at $78,050, a rise of $8,700 over the TX 500h and $23,000 greater than the nonhybrid TX 350’s base value. Add on the $2,150 Technology package deal and an $895 Convenience package deal, and this TX rings in at a wallet-hurting $81,655.
Surprising But Compromised Performance
Climbing behind the wheel and driving the TX is a nice expertise. Some might discover it to be typical Lexus boring, however as I become older, I admire the on-brand quietness and smoothness. Predictably, when beginning the TX PHEV up there’s no engine sound, because it defaults into EV mode until you decide to make use of the gasoline engine to cost the battery or run the local weather management. When the engine is on, the three.5-liter V6 pulls strongly. It doesn’t essentially really feel prefer it has over 400 horsepower — that would have one thing to do with the truth that this factor weighs 5,400 kilos — however it hustles whenever you want it to.
When you wish to be extra environment friendly and drive the TX in both hybrid or full-on EV mode, the transition is seamless. The TX has one among, if not the smoothest begin/cease methods I’ve ever encountered in a car. It’s nearly imperceptible, with no thunking sound or clunking feeling — you simply hear the engine cease. Even when smashing the gasoline from a standstill to get the total energy of the engine and hybrid system it feels seamless. Other automakers positively have to take notice.
Using the hybrid system is simple sufficient. Buttons on the console proper behind the shifter mean you can select between full EV, hybrid or cost mode. The effectivity of the whole system might go away loads to be desired, although. Using it as a hybrid, Lexus says it’s best to get 29 mpg mixed (EPA scores for the TX plug-in nonetheless aren’t obtainable for some purpose). While that’s 6 mpg higher than the TX 350, it’s simply 2 mpg higher than the TX 500h F Sport Performance that may’t plug in.
Using the EV mode as supposed is sweet for stints of all-electric driving round city, which I discover myself doing when working to the financial institution or going to seize meals. The regenerative braking system is great and might simply yield one other 2-3 miles of vary in occasions like this. But the EV vary drops quick below regular driving: as soon as, simply after charging the TX at a neighborhood station, I lose 4 miles of vary in simply over two miles of driving. I’m capable of recoup a few of that loss with the regen system, however nonetheless, it eats kilowatts in EV mode.
Charging is the one weak level within the system. The TX PHEV doesn’t assist quick charging, so it’s a protracted affair if you wish to totally cost the battery — determine round 4 hours. Even charging a battery that isn’t totally depleted will take some time. One night time, whereas visiting a on line casino, I cease in a parking storage that gives free charging, with 14 miles of EV vary indicated on the TX’s sprint. It takes 2 hours and 21 minutes to go from 14 miles to full on a charger working at 6.2 kWh. During one other charging session I see simply 5 miles of vary added in 34 minutes.
An Excellent Family SUV
Aside from its efficiency, the TX is fairly rattling good when used as supposed. The seats are among the most snug I’ve ever sat in, they usually’re coated in a pleasant shade of Peppercorn chocolate brown. The first and second-row seats have each heating and cooling, with energy changes for the entrance, plus a heated steering wheel. There’s greater than sufficient space for storing, with cubbies together with door pockets, a deep storage space below the middle console that’s coated by a retractable wi-fi cellphone charger, and an equally deep middle armrest.
The controls are acquainted if you happen to’ve been in any fashionable Lexus. That means an enormous 14-inch touchscreen show with wonderful decision and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, and a digital gauge cluster and head-up show for the driving force. You get a number of USB-C ports too — three up entrance, two within the second row together with a 120V outlet, and two extra within the third row.
You can inform this factor was designed with Americans in thoughts given how a lot room there may be inside. Second-row legroom is great at almost 40 inches, however the actual star is the third row that adults will truly be snug utilizing. It’s so roomy again there I used to be capable of match three folks in a pinch with no complaints, with each energy and handbook controls for the second row’s folding seats it’s straightforward to climb into the way in which again row.
When it involves carrying stuff the TX will get even higher. The third row additionally energy folds with controls situated within the cargo space. With all three rows up there’s 20.2 cubic ft of cargo area, sufficient to suit eight items of baggage side-by-side and stacked. Fold the third row and there’s 57.4 cubic ft of area; with each rows folded cargo area grows to an enormous 97 cubic ft, sufficient to hold bikes, TVs, or the rest you want to haul.
The inside isn’t with out its flaws, nevertheless. Lexus remains to be too beneficiant with the rattling piano black trim, which is utilized in many spots on the sprint. The model additionally insists on utilizing digital door handles. I’ve gotten used to them, in fact, however there’s a studying curve for anybody not accustomed to them, which is like 90 p.c of the inhabitants. They’re an annoying and pointless problem. This TX additionally didn’t come outfitted with any kind of sunroof or panoramic glass panel. That’s to not say this TX simply isn’t outfitted with one — no sunroof is even obtainable as an possibility on the TX, one thing I discover ridiculous at this value level.
In one other transfer to attempt to be completely different, Lexus designed these unusual, square-shaped cup holders which are detachable. Who would have thought {that a} cupholder may fail on two fronts? They fail at being precise cup holders due to their sq. form, which prevents them from holding most drinks correctly, they usually can also’t maintain reusable cups and bottles like these made by Stanley or Summit. You can unlatch and take away them, creating a much bigger cubby space within the middle console, however you then’re left with two cupholders that appear like large ashtrays with nowhere to place them. Worse but, the second-row flooring console has the identical detachable cupholder setup.
The single worst a part of the TX’s driving expertise is the driving force consideration monitor. A sensor positioned behind the steering wheel on prime of the steering column displays the driving force’s face and eyes to ensure they’re all the time dealing with ahead and paying consideration. But the system is so delicate and annoying it turns into a distraction itself. Turn to the aspect to speak to somebody within the entrance seat for just a few seconds, and the system beeps and exhibits a message on the gauge show, telling you to face ahead. If your face is barely tilted down however nonetheless dealing with ahead, the system beeps, displaying a message telling you to tilt your head up. This occurs continually the whole time I’m driving. Even worse, the system in my automobile often malfunctioned saying the system isn’t obtainable, despite the fact that it begins working advantageous once more the subsequent minute. Ultimately, I drive round with the system off.
The TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid is a wonderful household SUV from a model that’s been needing one thing like this for a very long time. If you need a household hauler and the Toyota, Hyundai and Kia badges are just a little too downmarket for you, the TX is your car. It’s additionally distinctive in that it’s the one car of its dimension providing a plug-in hybrid possibility. Unfortunately, that power can be its weak point due to its near-$80,000 base value. Buyers not able to go full-on EV is perhaps tempted to go for the TX, however in addition they is perhaps higher served by the Kia EV9. The TX is larger in some facets like total size and cargo room, however EV9 has it beat in just a few areas like second-row legroom, energy and most significantly value.
For most consumers that aren’t prepared for an EV just like the Kia EV9, their finest wager is to go together with both the hybrid TX 500h F Sport Performance, or save a pleasant chunk of change and get the turbocharged TX 350. But for many who need the additional advantage of a plug-in hybrid and have to haul seven folks and their stuff in room and luxury, the Lexus TX 550h+ is it. You’re simply going to must dig deep in your checking account to get one.
Source: jalopnik.com