2024 Lexus TX 550h+ Luxury Review

Well, we’ve covered the all-new 2024 Lexus TX extensively here at the Car Pro Radio Show and in our car reviews.  Lexus continues to add variants to this hot-seller, and now I bring you the 2024 TX 550h+ 3-row plug-in hybrid.  This is also the most expensive one I’ve seen, and the power train is completely different from the previous TX SUVs we’ve had.  In addition, it is by far the fastest and most powerful we’ve tested.

Exterior

I like the exterior appearance of the TX 550h+, 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” alloy wheels, LED lighting all around, and color-matching trim along the sides.  I absolutely love this color that Lexus calls Nightfall Mica.

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So there is no confusion, the pecking order for this new TX lineup is: Lexus TX that comes Premium and then Luxury.  Then Lexus TX 500h F Sport hybrid in Premium and Luxury, and finally the one I have, the TX 550h+ Luxury.  Why the + you ask?  NO idea, I suppose so I’ll use the seldom typed + sign.  This model only comes with the Direct 4 all-wheel drive system.

Performance

The major change in the 550h is under the hood.  The others have the 2.4-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine.  The 550h has a 259-horse 3.5-liter V-6 engine and incorporates a 179-horse traction motor. For the rear wheels there’s a 101-horse electric motor, and the entire system makes a combined 404-horses. It has a big 18.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack that Lexus says will be good for a 33-mile all-EV range, but using my Level 2 home charger, it got 38 miles of range on a cool morning before switching to gas.

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 semi-aniline leather and suede, and very comfortable with the right amount of bolstering. They are heated and cooled, have power lumbar support, and thigh extensions. The seats are heavily stitched and stitching also runs from the door panels and across the entire dash.  Everything you touch inside the TX 550h+ is soft-touch with no plastic at all.    

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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 and super easy to read.

Nicely integrated into the dash, not unlike a horizontally placed iPad, 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.  This version has a EV charging flow screen as well.  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). There are also two buttons to operate the hybrid system.  There is an EV Hold Charge button that runs you on all-electric power until you run out of battery, and an Auto EV button that switches the system between battery and gas.

Moving to the second row, this model comes with 2^nd-row captain’s 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 removeable 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, headroom and especially legroom is huge.  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 a large 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, or a foot motion detector, or with the key fob.  There is also a compartment under the cargo floor to hide 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 550h+ is extremely well-equipped, but there are quite a number 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 (rearview camera mirror, self-parking system, and head-up display, but unlike other TX models, no moon roof), $560 for 120V/1500-watt power outlet, $100 for the cold weather package, $460 illuminated door sills, and roughly $550 for rear cargo mat, extra lighting in the cargo area, and wheel locks.

Notable standard features besides those listed are ambient lighting, power tilt and heated steering wheel, memory seats, and power folding mirrors.

Ride and Drive 

The TX 550h+ rides and drives like a dream, it is whisper quiet inside, handling is superb, it’s easy to make U-turns and park, and best of all, the acceleration out of the gas and battery motors is outstanding.  This big SUV will flat get up and move.

It will tow 5,000 pounds if needed.  Fuel economy is rated at 29 overall, and when running on just battery, it will get you an MPG equivalent of 76-miles per gallon.  If your commute is lease than 30 miles per day or so, you’ll never visit a gas station again, yet you can go cross country in comfort if you wish.  Looking at the charge time, my tester charged from the battery being completely depleted to a full charge of 38 miles in just over two hours with my home charger.

Verdict

This is a super nice luxury SUV that satisfies the need for performance without sacrificing fuel economy.  MSRP as equipped is $82,619 and for me, with this level of luxury, the great ride and drive, and the fuel economy, that seems more than fair.