Sometimes, in this business, you see a model name come across your desk and think, “Meh, I already had that.” In this case I just reviewed the 2024 Lexus TX 350 a few months ago. However, this TX 500h F Sport Performance Luxury is a different thing altogether. Well, I mean, it’s the same, but different. Don’t worry, we’ll get into the details and spend some extra time talking about how the more powerful top-spec TX feels out on the road. So, without further delay, it’s time to find out how the Lexus Texas (I’m leaning into it this time) does on a week of daily driver duties.

2024 Lexus TX 500h Overview

Howdy partners, the full-size 2024 TX is not built in Texas but is actually assembled in Princeton, Indiana. You have two versions of the 500h to choose from: the Performance Premium or the Performance Luxury. Both are AWD and start at slightly under or slightly over $70,000. They are both available in a host of shades of gray.

Our “Incognito” gray TX has a host of extras, I’ll let you peruse the list below.

Out the door, you’re at a non-inconsequential $78,983. That puts the TX in some hefty company in the luxury SUV market so let’s see what’s what.

2024 Lexus TX 500h F Sport Performance Luxury Inside & Out

Outside, the TX 500 F Sport Perf… OK, you know what vehicle I’m talking about. That’s a mouthful, so I’m moseying along cowpokes. The F Sport version looks pretty solid, with the typical mix of darker trim and wheels vs. the non-sporty model. I still like the overall profile of the TX, the designers mercifully avoided the sloping rear that has been in vogue for a bit. I know it makes it look less minivan’y, but it also reduces overall cargo space.

The interior isn’t drastically different from the 350, at least structurally. Naturally, you get some higher-end materials and a ton of additional luxury and convenience features. I immediately liked the sports seats, they deliver a great mix of comfort and support.

From a usability perspective, I like what Lexus has done with the touch function on the steering wheel. You just put your finger on the button without pushing it, and it tells you what it is via the heads-up display. However, when the heads-up display tells you that traffic is coming, you can’t use it. I tried to advance the song sitting at a stop sign, but it wouldn’t let me until the traffic cleared, which was a touch annoying. 

The wireless CarPlay system worked fairly well, and wireless charging wasn’t terrible. You do have to have your phone in just the right place to get it to charge, but it generally stays there once you do. 

Cargo space is a reasonable 20.2 cubic feet with all seats in place. That’s typically enough to do a light grocery run without dropping the third row. That number jumps to a very large 97 cubes with all seats folded. But like I said in the beginning, I’m going to focus my energies on telling you what this thing is like to drive. Yee haw, let’s go!

2024 Lexus TX 500h F Sport Performance Luxury On the Road

The 350 has to make do with 275 horsepower, while the 500h gets a trick hybrid system mating a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic and two electric motors. It has one up front and one out back, each powering a set of wheels. The hybrid powertrain delivers a hefty 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. 

My first impressions were good, it’s incredibly comfortable and quiet. Driving down the road feels like you’re floating along on a cloud. A very torquey cloud, the 500h makes good use of its more complex powertrain and delivers power in just about any range. It’ll hit 60 mph in around six seconds, which would have made it a pretty quick sport compact car back in the late 1990s or early 2000s. It’s surprisingly nimble and has a fantastic turning radius as well. The spot that I typically turn around to park in front of my girlfriend’s house is a bit tight, and for as large as the car is, it whipped around much easier than most SUVs without having to Austin Powers’ it with lots of adjustments.

Unlike previous Lexus models, it’s pretty hard to find driving modes. While they used to be in an easily accessible physical knob (hehe, “knob”…sorry), they are now buried in the menus. I suppose most people don’t use driving modes in their family hauler, but I do. Other criticisms were minor; I couldn’t unlock it while it was in gear (and stopped). That is helpful to be able to do when I am pulling up at the school drop off or pick up line. They hustle you through quickly, so I typically pull up, he hops in, and we go. Still, overall I enjoyed driving the TX 500h and it handled daily driver duties quite well.

Summary

Overall, I expect the TX to absolutely fly off dealer lots. It’s a great size, and the packaging is likely to resonate well with quite a few buyers. I’m already seeing a lot of them around the DC area which is a good sign for Lexus since we consume a ton of luxury family haulers around here. As I noted in the TX 350 review, it stacks up very well against the XC90, MDX, and Q7. My only question is whether the top-spec TX trim’s near $80K MSRP might start to draw some comparisons to the Mercedes Benz GLS 450 and other full-size luxury options. Either way, if you want a luxury three-row, the Lexus Texas is quite good.