2024 Lexus TX 500h F Sport Performance Review

This week I have been behind the wheel of a new addition to the Lexus lineup of SUVs, the TX.  This really fills a hole for the luxury automaker.  The RX has been their best-seller, and it did offer an extended version, but honestly the 3^rd row seat was extremely cramped.  The TX is a nice compromise between the RX and the GX.

The TX 500h F Sport Performance I have is one of several trim levels and drive train options.  My test vehicle is a hybrid, but it also comes as a non-hybrid OR a plug-in hybrid.

Exterior

I like the exterior appearance of the TX 500h, it’s not overly blingy by any stretch, and Lexus has toned down the big front grill that polarized so many people.  It has a rear spoiler, very attractive 22” F Sport wheels. LED lighting all around, and color-matching trim along the sides.

 

 

Performance

Under the hood comes a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine assisted by two permanent-magnet electric motors, one of which delivers electric Direct4 all-wheel drive for greater traction and power distribution.  Together, this system delivers 366-horses and 409 pound-feet of torque, all through a conventional 6-speed automatic with paddle shifters.  All this while delivering close to 30 MPG on the highway.

Interior

The interior is what I’ve come to expect from a Lexus.  It is luxurious but not over the top like some upper line SUVs.  The seats are amazingly comfortable with the right amount of bolstering, and they are heated and cooled. The seats are heavily stitched and stitching also runs from the door panels and across the entire dash.  Everything you touch inside the TX 500h is soft with no plastic at all.  The seats remind you this is the F Sport on both front headrests.

 

The gauge cluster is bright, colorful, and is easy to read.  It is also large, coming in at 12.3” and is highly configurable from the steering wheel controls.  It features a large tachometer, you can display your speed digitally, and it gives you the outside temperature and the time.  All-in-all, it is a very well thought out display.

Nicely integrated into the dash is a huge 14” touchscreen in which everything runs.  It is simple to use, extremely fast, and there is no learning curve to speak of.  From there you operate the Mark Levinson sound system with 21-speakers, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, you can configure the car the way you wish, and all your settings are there.  It also houses wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and a fantastic 360-degree camera system.  You operate the drive modes from this screen as well, you can choose normal, sport, eco, or you can customize it to your liking.  There is no trackpad or dials, it is all touchscreen, and it is well within reach of the driver or passenger.

 

Below the big screen are your air conditioning controls which feature large knobs, seat temperature controls, and a volume knob for the sound system.  Further down is a well laid out center console that has a wireless cell phone charger that sits atop a sliding door that hides a hidden compartment, three USB-C ports, a couple of cup holders with removable inserts, the gear shifter, your electronic emergency brake, the Auto Hold button, and a button to turn off the traction control (not sure why you ever would). 

My tester has the optional 2^nd-row captain chairs and they are very comfortable with fold down arm rests.  Both seats are heated and cooled, they recline and they slide forward and backward.  Rear seat occupants get their own automatic temperature controls, a couple of USB-Cs, and a power outlet.  There are manual side window shades to block the sun on those hot summer days or for privacy and the center console is removable for easy access to the 3^rd row seats.

 

 

 

 

Entry to the 3^rd row is simple with a button on top of the captain’s chairs that slide and fold the seats completely out of the way.  Where all the TX models really shine is the amount of 3^rd row seat room.  Two adults, regardless of size, would be extremely comfortable back there, and headroom and legroom is fantastic.  You would have no trouble going cross-country in this 3^rd row seat, just realize this is a six-passenger, not a 7-passenger SUV like most in this size range.

Utility

Also, a surprise was the amount of cargo area behind the 3^rd row; there is an amazing amount.  If you need more, the 3^rd row folds quickly and easily into the floor with the push of a button.  You can fold the rear seat down on either side, it is a 50/50 split configuration.  You can also fold down the 2^nd row captain’s chairs and have an incredible 97-cubic feet of cargo area.  The liftgate is power operated from inside the vehicle, a foot motion detector, or with the key fob.  There is also a compartment under the cargo floor to hade valuables.

Safety 

On the safety front, you get pre-collision with pedestrian protection, lane tracing assist, radar adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beam headlights, traffic sign recognition, and blind spot monitoring.

Standard Equipment and Options

The TX 500h is extremely well-equipped, but there is quite a bit of optional features on my test unit.  There is the $895 Convenience Package (front/rear cross traffic alert and traffic-jam assist and a digital key that both come with a 3-year free trial), the Technology Package for $2,380 (panoramic rear camera, rearview camera mirror, and head-up display), $560 for 120V/1500-watt power outlet, $460 illuminated door sills, $175 for puddle lamps on the bottom of the outside mirrors with the Lexus logo on them, $400 for the cross bars on the roof rack, $150 for floor mats, and a activity mount for $900 which allows you to carry extra cargo outside of the vehicle.

Notable standard features besides those listed are ambient lighting, power tilt and heated steering wheel, memory seats, a huge panoramic moon roof, aluminum pedals with a dead peddle, and power folding mirrors.

Ride and Drive 

The TX 500h F Sport rides and drives like a dream thanks to the suspension tuning, performance dampers, and the terrific Direct4 all-wheel drive system.

It is whisper quiet inside, the handling is amazing with rear wheel steering, and acceleration was surprisingly good.  It will tow 5,000 pounds.  Fuel economy is rated at 27 city and 28 highway for a combined 27 overall, which is exceptional for an SUV this size. 

Verdict

This is a super nice luxury SUV that satisfies the need for performance without sacrificing fuel economy.  MSRP as equipped is $78,660 but a careful shopper would probably eliminate some of the options on this one and get that price down some.