Lexus makes a lot of SUVs. Not long ago, on the local Lexus sales lot, you’d have found the subcompact UX, compact NX, 2-row midsize RX, flagship LX, all of them available with gasoline or hybrid power, and the electric RZ. It’s hard to believe that anything was missing.
But something was. Maybe the best of the bunch.
The 2025 Lexus TX is a midsize 3-row SUV good enough to probably lure a few buyers away from the more expensive LX. In fact, the biggest threat to the Lexus Texas (not its official name, but irresistible to say) is the Toyota Grand Highlander, with which it shares many parts.
I spent a week driving the TX, in hybrid-powered TX 500h F Sport Performance Luxury AWD trim. I found it one of the most refined family haulers I’ve encountered in 25 years of test driving hundreds of cars.
I’d recommend it with the caveat that the Grand Highlander is similar enough that you might want to save money by buying this with a Toyota badge instead. The TX might be the most well-executed vehicle on the Lexus lot.
Which Trim Level
Lexus builds 10 grades of TX. Seven are TX 350 models powered by a 275-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. Two are 500h models with a 366-hp hybrid version of the same engine. One is a 550h+ plug-in hybrid (PHEV) that can travel up to 33 miles on electric power alone.
Lexus loaned me the hybrid in its most well-equipped version. It has second-row captain’s chairs, genuine leather seating (lower-priced trims get convincing faux leather), and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system.
New 2025 Lexus TX Prices
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Retail Price
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Fair Purchase Price (49866)
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|---|---|---|---|---|
$56,490 |
TBD |
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$59,290 |
TBD |
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$61,640 |
TBD |
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$65,760 |
TBD |
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$70,010 |
TBD |
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$73,160 |
TBD |
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$78,560 |
TBD |
Favorite Feature
The reason the TX exists? Its spacious cabin.
The LX is the flagship of the Lexus lineup. But the TX has it beat for both passenger and cargo space, all at a lower price.
With the rear seats in place, the LX offers 11 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row. The lower-priced TX offers 20.2.
With all seats folded, the LX gives you a maximum of 71 cubic feet. The TX gives you 97.
Legroom and headroom are more generous in the TX, too. The LX is slightly wider, offering more hip and shoulder room. But the TX is plenty comfortable for six adults.
Lexus does interiors as well as any luxury automaker, if not better. My tester’s navy-and-light-gray design scheme was lovely, though I would note that parts of the dash are covered in a grippy Ultraseude material that might be hard to keep clean for years.
What It’s Like to Drive
The TX 500h offers a stunningly smooth and composed ride.
Hybrid versions of the TX are more powerful than gas-powered editions. The 366 hp of the hybrid system gives it more acceleration than you’re likely to need in a family vehicle, and power is smooth throughout the band.
Steering effort is well balanced. In recent years, electric power steering systems have tended to make steering lighter, even in bulky vehicles. Lexus has resisted the urge to overboost this one, finding a weight just heavy enough to remind you you’re one of the bigger cars in traffic but never too heavy.
Braking is confident, and you won’t detect it regenerating energy into a hybrid battery.
Interior Comfort and Technology
Comfort is this company’s stock in trade, and the TX has it down perfectly.
Second-row captain’s chairs, standard in the 500h F Sport Performance Luxury AWD, offer easy access to the third row and adult-appropriate space in the second.
The leather in some luxury cars can feel overly waxy, but the upholstery in the TX is buttery smooth to the touch, and the steering wheel gives slightly under a squeeze.
A 12.3-inch driver’s display and 14-inch central touchscreen are separated, meaning the steering wheel never blocks your view of anything important.
The central touchscreen is mounted high so that you can make quick adjustments without looking away from the road.
The 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay Surround Sound system has beautiful range and is the best argument for buying this trim level rather than a less-expensive grade.
Key Considerations
The TX may be the most well-balanced 3-row luxury SUV below six figures. Its biggest competition is its twin. This shares most of its parts with the Toyota Grand Highlander, which costs thousands less.
Lexus does give you a finer grade of leather and some sound system options Toyota doesn’t. However, many TX shoppers might be just as happy with the cheaper Toyota.
