Lexus has officially unveiled the all-new TX, a three-row SUV meticulously crafted for the discerning North American market. This groundbreaking vehicle marks a significant stride for Lexus, catering to the growing demand for spaciousness, luxurious comfort, and cutting-edge technology in the SUV category. The 2024 Lexus Tx isn’t just another SUV; it’s a statement of intent, promising to deliver an unparalleled experience where every seat truly is the best seat.
Dejuan Ross, group vice president and general manager of Lexus Division, emphasized this vision, stating, “It’s only human to want the best seat in the house. And it’s only Lexus to make every seat the best seat. TX prioritizes comfort in every row and embodies our steadfast commitment to electrification, technology, performance and design.” The TX emerges as a pivotal model, designed to offer both driver excitement and passenger indulgence, accommodating up to seven occupants in serene comfort. Building on the legacy of the NX, LX, and RX, the Lexus TX elevates the brand’s SUV lineage with enhanced Lexus Driving Signature fundamentals, ensuring a smooth and exhilarating ride across all three rows without compromising the luxurious amenities Lexus is renowned for. Notably, the TX holds the distinction of being the first Lexus vehicle assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI).
Design Philosophy: Practical Elegance Meets Aerodynamic Innovation
The Lexus TX breaks new ground in three-row SUV aesthetics, seamlessly blending practicality with Lexus’s signature elegance. The design team prioritized aerodynamic performance, resulting in the striking “Unified Spindle” front fascia. This innovative design element not only enhances efficiency and handling stability but also reinterprets Lexus’s design DNA.
Unified Spindle and Exterior Refinements
The Unified Spindle design on the Lexus TX integrates the headlights with a sleek, narrow aperture beneath the hood’s leading edge. A low-set grille then forms a seamless spindle shape, creating a front-end that is both aerodynamic and visually impactful. This design choice enhances handling while conveying a sense of substantial presence and optimizing cooling performance. The 2024 TX model range includes four grades: Standard, Premium, Luxury, and F SPORT Performance, each offering a unique blend of features and style.
The TX’s stance is wide and grounded, accentuated by standard 20-inch wheels on Standard, Premium, and Luxury grades. For an even bolder look, the TX 350 Luxury offers optional 22-inch wheels, which come standard on the TX 550h+. The TX 500h F SPORT Performance stands out with exclusive 22-inch wheels, further emphasizing its sporty character. Moving to the rear, the TX features a slim, signature L-shaped light bar that mirrors the front’s modern and resolute impression, creating a cohesive and powerful silhouette. The blacked-out rear pillar and arrow-shaped ornamentation of the cabin silhouette add a touch of sleek refinement to the overall design. Exterior color options for the 2024 TX include Cloudburst Gray, Wind Chill Pearl, Caviar, Matador Red Mica, Nightfall Mica, Incognito, and Celestial Silver Metallic, with availability varying by grade.
Interior Comfort and Technology Integration
Inside the Lexus TX, a driver-centric cockpit design and an available 12.3-inch multi-information display foster a sense of confidence and control. The Digital Latch system provides a seamless entry, welcoming passengers with available multi-colored illumination accents and refined door trim options. An available head-up display (HUD) ensures essential driving information is within the driver’s line of sight, minimizing distractions. The Lexus Interface, standard across the TX range, features a prominent 14-inch Multimedia Touchscreen Display, offering intuitive controls and clear information for both driver and front passenger. Wireless Apple CarPlay® Integration and Android Auto™ compatibility are also standard. For audiophiles, an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System, meticulously tuned for the TX cabin, delivers an immersive audio experience across all powertrain options.
Practicality is paramount in the TX’s interior design. Accessible storage is available in all three rows, complemented by seven charging/communication ports and three power outlets to keep devices powered throughout the journey. Removable cupholders accommodate various cup and bottle sizes, adapting to different needs. Front-seat occupants benefit from a dual-opening console lid, providing independent access from either side. Second-row seating configurations include captain’s chairs or a 60:40 split-folding bench, depending on the chosen grade. Third-row access is simplified by a slide assist walk-in mechanism, which tilts and slides the second-row seats forward with a simple switch press. Additional storage solutions include an optional center console for second-row captain’s chairs, featuring a removable semi-console box ideal for small items or digital devices, and removable cupholders for added convenience. The Lexus TX excels in cargo capacity, accommodating seven carry-on suitcases behind the third row. Folding down the third row expands cargo space to 57.4 cubic feet, and with both second and third rows folded, a generous 97 cubic feet of cargo volume becomes available. Cabin quietness is a hallmark of the TX, achieved through high-damping door and roof mastic seals and increased silencer material under the rear cargo and floor areas, effectively minimizing noise and vibration. Interior color options include Peppercorn, Birch, and Black, depending on the selected grade.
Performance Dynamics: GA-K Platform and Lexus Driving Signature
The Lexus TX leverages the GA-K platform, known for its low center of gravity and optimized weight distribution, enhancing both handling and stability. Engineered specifically for a three-row SUV, the TX’s body rigidity has been strengthened to minimize noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH), ensuring a refined and comfortable ride. The TX embodies the Lexus Driving Signature, further refined to deliver an engaging and smooth driving experience.
Enhanced Chassis and Driving Dynamics
To achieve superior performance and comfort, Lexus engineers implemented strategic enhancements to the TX’s chassis. Welds and adhesives are utilized to increase joint strength and rigidity throughout the main framework. Reinforcements to the steering system and rear section further contribute to the vehicle’s solid feel. The adoption of a rear multi-link suspension design and widened front and rear tracks enhances the TX’s connection to the road, providing precise steering, confident braking, and an overall engaging driving experience.
Powertrain Innovations: Electrified Options for Diverse Needs
The 2024 Lexus TX offers a comprehensive range of powertrain options, including two electrified variants, catering to diverse driving preferences and lifestyles. These options include a Lexus-first 3.5L V6 plug-in hybrid and a high-performance 2.4L turbocharged hybrid powertrain, underscoring Lexus’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and advancing towards a carbon-neutral future.
TX 350: Turbocharged Efficiency
The Lexus TX 350, available in both FWD and AWD configurations, is powered by a responsive 2.4L turbocharged inline-4 engine. This engine delivers refined and efficient performance, mirroring the powertrains found in the popular RX and NX models.
TX 500h F SPORT Performance: Hybrid Power with DIRECT4 AWD
Exclusively offered as the F SPORT Performance model, the TX 500h features a 2.4L turbocharged Parallel Hybrid system paired with DIRECT4 all-wheel drive and Dynamic Rear Steering (DRS). This advanced system, previously introduced in the 2023 RX, delivers both responsive maneuverability and enhanced vehicle stability. DIRECT4, Lexus’s exclusive AWD technology, provides instantaneous electric control to all four wheels, adapting dynamically to driving conditions and driver input. DRS further enhances handling, enabling the rear wheels to turn in phase with the front wheels at higher speeds for stable cornering and in opposite phase at lower speeds for improved maneuverability.
TX 550h+ Plug-in Hybrid: V6 PHEV with Extended EV Range
The TX 550h+ represents a Lexus first, featuring a plug-in hybrid system that combines a potent 3.5L V6 engine with DIRECT4 AWD. This PHEV powertrain offers a unique driving experience characterized by serene quietness, smooth acceleration, and a manufacturer-projected estimated EV range of 33 miles. As the first Lexus PHEV assembled in North America, the TX 550h+ powertrain will be available at a later date.
Advanced Technology and Safety Systems
The 2024 Lexus TX prioritizes safety and convenience, equipped standard with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 across all models.
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and Driver Assistance
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 encompasses a suite of active safety technologies, providing the highest level of driver support. Features include Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Lane Tracing Assist (LTA), Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/SA), Road Sign Assist (RSA), and Proactive Driving Assist (PDA). These systems are designed to enhance driver awareness and assist in various driving scenarios, such as alerting to pedestrians or vehicles ahead and maintaining safe speed and following distances. Available Advanced Park assists with perpendicular and parallel parking maneuvers, enhancing ease of use in urban environments. With an active Drive Connect trial or subscription, Traffic Jam Assist is available, designed to manage driving in low-speed, congested traffic conditions on limited-access roadways, automatically controlling acceleration and braking to maintain a set following distance.
Anticipated Release and Preliminary Specifications
The 2024 Lexus TX 350 and TX 500h are anticipated to go on sale in Fall 2024, with the TX 550h+ following at a later date. The Lexus TX is poised to redefine the three-row SUV segment, offering a blend of luxury, space, performance, and advanced technology that sets a new benchmark for family vehicles.
