One of the most difficult kinds of vehicles to shop for is one with more than 5 seats that is still easy to fit in a garage. And the options that do exist usually can’t fit adults in the third row. But now there’s a vehicle that can do all of that while offering the versatility and luxury that you expect from a Lexus, the TX. The Lexus TX is available with a choice of three drivetrains, including a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid. Everything is exceptionally well packaged, so there is ample cargo space, even with the third row of seats in use, and the TX has a towing capacity that rivals many pickup trucks. Standard equipment far exceeds even what rival luxury vehicles offer, and the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of safety and driver assistance technology gives you a sense of security and comfort behind the wheel.
The TX is one of the only vehicles on the market that is available with a choice of conventional, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid drivetrain. There are several with two of those, but not all three. The standard conventional drivetrain uses a powerful 275-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Those who want a bit more power can opt for the hybrid, which makes a combined 366 system horsepower. Lastly, the top-spec TX 550h+ Luxury uses a plug-in hybrid system that brings the total system horsepower to 406, and also offers 33 miles of all-electric range. All-wheel drive is available with the conventional drivetrain, and standard with the two hybrid options. For F-SPORT models, there is also Adaptive Variable Suspension and four-wheel steering. Lexus gave the TX so much power because it can hold so much. Not just seating for up to 7 people (6 if you opt for the second-row captain’s chairs), but there is also 20.1 cubic feet of storage space behind the third-row seats. That can be expanded to 57.4 cubic feet by folding down the third-row seats, and a cavernous 97 cubic feet with the second row folded down too. And no fighting over charging either, thanks to the 7 USB-C charging ports throughout the cabin.
The TX doesn’t just offer more luxury than most family vehicles, it also comes with more standard equipment than you get with many rival luxury brands. Things like heated seats, wireless phone charging, and ambient lighting will be relegated to the options lists of competing vehicles, but come standard on the TX. The 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen and 12.3-inch customizable digital instrument cluster make it easy to see important information, and to operate things like navigation and the radio. Speaking of the radio, Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are standard, and if you’re looking for a more immersive audio experience, there is an available Mark Levinson 21-speaker PurePlay Surround Sound system. The cabin feels open and airy, partly just because it’s so roomy, but this is also helped by the available panoramic glass roof. On the outside, the TX gets some stylish flair thanks to all-LED external lighting and standard 20-inch wheels, or the available 22-inch set that’s standard on several trims. When you buy a family vehicle, you want it to be as safe as possible.
Fortunately, Lexus is an industry leader in the field of safety, and the TX comes with the highly advanced Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 technology suite as standard equipment. This includes driver’s aids like a rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring, as well as active safety measures like Digital Latch with Safe Exit Assist, which watches for approaching traffic once you’ve parked, and keeps back-seat occupants from opening the door if a vehicle is approaching. The available front cross-traffic alert keeps you from pulling out in front of a moving vehicle when exiting a blind corner, and thanks to the available head-up display, you can keep your eyes on the road without missing any important information the TX is relaying to you.
