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2024 Lexus TX: Fuel-sipping luxury cruiser is designed to keep everyone comfy

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Toyota’s luxury brand is a class leader when it comes to offering vehicles with three rows of seats. The seven-passenger 2024 Lexus TX that recently joined the LX and the redesigned GX utility vehicles is also the most affordable of the three.

The Indiana-built TX uses the seven-passenger Toyota Grand Highlander’s platform but the Lexus has its own style. That includes an oversized grille that’s common to most Lexus fleet members. A one-piece light strip wraps around the back to connect the fenders. The rest of the boxy bodywork is conventional but still stylish. There’s virtually no hint of off-road ruggedness to be found.

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The TX is longer than the GX and the LX and has more distance between the front and rear wheels. That translates into more generous third-row legroom for two adults. Depending on the trim level, the second-row split-folding bench seat is upgraded to dual high-back buckets. The TX has greater volume than the GX but it trails the LX.

The dashboard has a 7.0-inch or available 12.3-inch digital cluster for the driver. Beside it is a 14-inch infotainment display with built-in navigation plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The interior has seven charging ports and three power outlets for maintaining smart phones and tablets.

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Powertrain choices are dependent on the model. The TX350 has a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine rated at 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The TX 500h F Sport Performance gets a turbo 2.4-litre four-cylinder supported by two electric motors for a net 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet. Lastly, the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid has a 3.5-litre V-6 and net system output of 406 horsepower.

The TX350 has an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 500h F Sport Performance gets a six-speed automatic and the plug-in hybrid 550h+ has a continuously variable unit.

The 550h+ plug-in hybrid is the most performance-oriented and, to no one’s surprise, it’s the easiest on fuel with an estimated 7.8 l/100 km in combined city/highway driving. The TX 350 is rated at 10.3 l/100 km and the 500h hybrid is rated at 8.6.

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When fully charged, the TX 550h+ has an electric range of about 53 kilometres before the V-6 engine is needed.

All-wheel-drive is standard, but the TX 550h+ also comes with four-wheel-steering that turns the rear wheels in the same direction as the fronts when heading into a turn at higher speed. At slower speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction for increased maneuverability.

The base TX 350 Luxury — one of seven available TX models — starts at $72,000, including destination fees. Standard content includes power-adjustable heated front seats, power-adjustable steering column and ambient interior lighting.

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Also standard is Lexus’ Safety System+ 3.0 that includes dynamic cruise control (which keeps pace with traffic), pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, lane-tracing assist and proactive driving assist that provides light braking and steering assist when taking a corner. Advanced Park, which can handle parallel and perpendicular parking duties, is optional.

The next-up TX 350 Ultra Luxury includes a panorama glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats and power-folding third-row seats.

From there, depending on the model, features such as leather-covered seats, heated and ventilated second-row seats, head-up driver’s information display, 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and 22-inch silver-finished wheels are available. Note there are three TX500h trims and two TX500h+ plug-in hybrids, with the price climbing into the $100,000-plus range.

The standard content for the plug-in, which arrives later in the model year, hasn’t been revealed.

With roominess, power and fuel frugal operation in its favour, the luxury-oriented Lexus TX is well suited for those needing to transport friends and family members to near and far destinations.

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What you should know: 2024 Lexus TX

Type: All-wheel-drive luxury utility vehicle

Engines (h.p.): 2.4-litre I-4, turbocharged (275/366 with electric motors); 3.5-litre V-6 with electric motor (406)

Transmissions: Eight-speed automatic; six-speed automatic (hybrid); continuously variable (plug-in hybrid)

Market position: Lexus’ range of premium seven-passenger utility vehicles is matched only by Mercedes-Benz. • Lexus’ focus on hybrid and plug-in hybrid technology makes the TX appealing to buyers who aren’t yet ready for battery-electric propulsion.

Points: Overall design is attractively conservative. • Spacious interior offers plenty of room for seven adults. • Plenty of cargo capacity with the rear seats in place or folded flat. • Plug-in hybrid option offers significant performance and fuel savings. • All trim levels are reasonably well equipped.

Active safety: Blind-spot warning with cross-traffic backup alert (std.); active cruise control (std.); front and rear emergency braking (std.); inattentive-driver alert (std.); lane-departure intervention (std.); pedestrian warning (std.); park assist (opt.)

L/100 km (city/hwy): 11.5/8.9 (base 2.4)

Base price (incl. destination): $72,000

BY COMPARISON

Buick Enclave Avenir

  • Base price: $65,300
  • Reasonably roomy seven-passenger model, 310-h.p. V-6, AWD is standard.

Acura MDX A-Spec

  • Base price: $70,400
  • Seating for seven, the third row is a tight fit, Optional 290-hp V-6.

Infiniti QX60 Luxe

  • Base price: $65,450
  • One of two seven-passenger vehicles, comes with a 295-h.p. V-6, AWD std.

– written by Malcom Gunn, Managing Partner at Wheelbase Media

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