2025 Lexus TX 350 AWD
The 2025 Lexus TX 350 is an upscale three-row SUV with the luxury you want and the utility you need.
The 2025 Lexus TX is what you buy when you don’t want to shell out the extra clams for the LX, but need something less-rugged than the GX. The TX slyly slots between both of those models, offering buyers three rows of space and the upscale features that you would expect from the brand.
By Joe Santos
Thu, Apr 17, 2025 06:10 AM PST
All images by the author.
For any Toyota/Lexus fans, this is a gussied-up Grand Highlander. So if you were thinking about buying one of those, but want to enjoy the finer things in life, then the TX is what you seek.
I won’t make a lot of comparisons between the Toyota Grand Highlander and the Lexus TX because that would be like comparing a Rolex to a really nice Seiko. If you want nicer, then buy nicer. They’re the same car, but luckily, the Lexus only costs $16,000 more than the Toyota. But is it worth it? Considering the nice amenities and fancier layout the TX comes with, I think so.
Interior
Sit inside the Lexus TX and you will surely be impressed by its well-sorted layout and lavishness. My TX 350 F Sport tester came equipped with all the premium materials you would expect to find in any Lexus, which includes NuLuxe leather seats with heating and ventilation, Alcantara on the dash board, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. All of the touch points feel nice and are easy on the eyes, which contributes to the car’s luxurious style.
There’s a large infotainment screen on the center of the dashboard and it’s easy to reach for both the driver and passenger. The shifter is on the center console, and it’s a little joystick that takes a minute to get used to, but once you do, it’s pretty intuitive. The second row has two captain’s chairs with a center console and cupholders between them. There is also a separate set of climate controls back there, in addition to heating and ventilation to give the rear passengers a business-class-like experience. The seats can recline and move back and forth for maximum comfort.
The third row area is surprisingly comfortable for full-sized adults and it’s easy to get back there with the touch of a button on the captain’s chairs. My five-foot, eight-inch frame felt perfectly fine sitting there and there was a surprisingly good amount of leg and headroom. There are also cupholders, vents, and USB-C ports back there to keep the two passengers comfortable, in addition to power switches to fold the seats up and down.
As for cargo space, there is 20.2 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which is enough to fit a couple of carry-on bags. Fold those seat backs down and the cargo space more than doubles to 57.4 cubic feet, and if you fold the second row down, the space grows to 97 cubic feet.
Exterior
The Lexus TX has a bold and futuristic look that makes it stand out from most other cars on the road, especially in Colorado. Here, the streets are riddled with Jeeps and Subarus, so it’s easy to spot a bulky TX driving down the road, especially when it’s painted Celestial Silver with big, black 22-inch F Sport wheels.
In reality, I like the way the TX looks. Its large front grille sticks out like a sore thumb in a parking lot with its slatted grille and thin LED headlights. The rear end has a sleek look as well, with its wraparound LED light-bar that looks really cool at night time.
Powertrain and Driving Impressions
The Lexus TX has a few different powertrains to choose from, including a base turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, a higher performance version of it, and a plug-in hybrid variant. My TX 350 F Sport Handling test car had the base option, which produces 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. At first, I admit that I thought it wasn’t enough power due to the sheer size and weight of the SUV. But then I remembered that rivals like the Mercedes-Benz GLE and the Audi Q7 come equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder, so Lexus is likely doing something right.
After driving the TX350 for a couple days, I got used to the power and felt like it was good enough for around-town driving and highway on-ramp passes. However, if you’re the type that needs more power, the up-level Performance trim levels have a tuned-up version that pushes 366 horsepower. But I don’t think it’s completely necessary.
Power aside, the Lexus TX has a composed ride that feels a little bouncy when going over road imperfections, but it’s not jarring. The car’s steering effort is well-weighted and the car drives smaller than its three-row stature implies. It’s also pretty easy to park due to its square shape and good visibility from the driver’s seat. The external cameras help as well.
As for fuel economy, I averaged 19.6 mpg during the week I drove the TX, which is a little less than the EPA average of 23 mpg. Also, if you like to tow your motorized toys, the TX can tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Technology
In terms of technology, the Lexus TX has plenty of features to keep everyone satiated. There’s a large 12.3-inch infotainment screen up front, which is easy to use and navigate through the menus. However, I connected by iPhone with the wireless Apple CarPlay, like most people will, so that was my entertainment for the week.
My tester also had the Mark Levinson premium sound system, which sounds nothing short of amazing. There was a delicate balance of highs and lows with every song I sent through the speakers and I am fully convinced that it’s one of the best sound systems I have ever tested.
I can’t say the same for the advanced park assist feature, though. The park assist is activated via a button on the lower part of the dashboard. Once pressed, there are a couple small menus to configure the desired parking configuration, and then it’s time to park. The car’s steering wheel turns by itself and shifter switches between the gears as the car moves forward and back to park itself into the space you picked.
That all sounds great, right? It is, but it only works about one out of every five times. Most of the time, the park assist ended the maneuver with the car in the middle of the parking lot that I was testing it in, but there were times it actually parked the car correctly. Regardless, I was able parallel park the TX just fine on my own, which was a better option because the park assist maneuver takes a minute or two.
Safety
The NHTSA has not crash tested the Lexus TX yet, but you can rest assured that it is safe. It’s a large SUV with a 10 airbags and a host of active and passive safety features, which includes the Lexus Safety System 3.0. The safety system includes driver-assist features like a lane-departure alert, lane-tracing assist, and proactive driving assist, which keep the car on the road and between the lines.
Summary
Compared to competitors like the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the 2025 Lexus TX sits in the middle of the road. In terms of pricing, the TX starts at $56,940, which is less than its German rivals and a little more than the MDX. It’s also in the middle of the road when it comes to its luxury feel and amenities as the Mercedes-Benz GLE feels a little more upscale, which is denoted by its higher price.
That said, the TX is worth checking out if you want to spend less than $70,000 on a nearly fully loaded unit, like my tester ($69,430 as-tested price). It comes value packed with everything you need and want, which makes its $16,000 premium over the Toyota Grand Highlander justified.
About The Author
Joe Santos is an automotive journalist with over 10 years of professional writing and editing experience. His article topics range from full-length car reviews to car-buying advice. He even spent four years selling cars at a few different dealerships, so he may know a thing or two if you’re in the market for a new or used car.
