2025 Lexus TX 350 review: Grandiose in multiple ways

This luxury variant of the gargantuan Grand Highlander is even grander

2025 Lexus TX 350 F Sport AWD review by The Road Beat

Words and pictures: Mitchell Weitzman

Just when it seemed Lexus was downsizing their infamous snaggle-tooth grille design, Toyota debuts the Grand Highlander, with the inevitable Lexus version soon to follow. With an SUV boasting so much surface area as a starting point, maybe there really was no other way. Luckily, this looks less like the Predator chasing Arnold through the jungle and more like a piece of modern architecture. And I mean that in a nice way. But, more to the point, the new Lexus TX is a pretty excellent luxury vehicle when it comes to moving large quantities of people in comfort.

Picks

The positives all draw lineage and inspiration directly from the Toyota Grand Highlander, which are a plentiful starting point. Maximizing the vast 203-inch length and 116-inch wheelbase, this is about as spacious as an SUV can get. In fact, this is actually the biggest Lexus SUV available now, toppling the mighty flagship LX in terms of length and wheelbase, which makes for exceedingly spacious second- and third-row seats. Apart from a minivan — which many won't dare to be seen in for fear of not being comfortable with their masculinity — this is about as good as it gets for the space and comfort of large groups, adults included. Like Texas, everything really is bigger in the TX.

Grand Highlander are already well-equipped, especially in top Platinum trim, but the TX takes it further with softer materials and typical Lexus solidity. All the usual bells and whistles that you can conjure are all prsent, but things are softer yet more prominent, with the controls and touch points all giving an extra level of confidence in operation. It's also even quieter.

Turning the wheel won't set your life alight, but the TX has steady and confident steering and predictable reflexes that help make it an easy car to drive — on both the highway and on country roads. Better yet, the TX feels less Texas-sized on the move, shrinking itself down somewhat, which surprised me — probably due to the wide view out front. Even better for the luxury-leaning crowd, ride quality impresses across a variety of road surfaces with dampers suited to smoothing out rough roads.

Nicks

The number one detractor that might put off buyers? The looks — they’re simply not for everyone. Also, with a price creeping to nearly $70,000 for this mid-tier example, it's not much nicer inside compared to a $60,000 Grand Highlander Platinum Hybrid MAX, and that's before mentioning the Toyota's punchy powertrain that offers nearly 100 extra horsepower and better fuel economy — the Lexus' 275-horsepower unit returns only 22 miles per gallon overall.

Pricing also encroaches on the GX 550, which might be a significantly smaller SUV, but it's inherently more desirable with its retro-cool looks, twin-turbo V6 engine, and off-roading ability. Even inside disappoints once you realize the seats here aren't actually real leather. They do a damn good of impersonating real cow hide, but that's a bummer at the price.

Like most modern Lexus models, the F Sport badging is there mostly for design purposes rather than engineering. In fact, the window sticker does not mention any kind of chassis tweaks, but just the cosmetics including giant 22-inch wheels. Even on other Lexus models that do have some form of F Sport handling or suspension, it's never noticeable on public back roads.

Too big and pricey to fit in

Despite the overall accomplished nature of the TX 350, it simply has no real reason to exist. The Grand Highlander Hybrid MAX is a very close alternative and offers extra power for thousands less. Given how much better value the Grand Highlander is — and its stronger overall performance — paying extra for the Lexus TX 350 doesn’t make sense.

The next step up would be a TX 500h, which very nearly reaches $80,000, and by that point, just remember you’re really buying a dressed-up Toyota that begins from $42,000. And once you're in that big money game, you cannot forget the superb Genesis GV80 or the Acura MDX, both of which offer a more engaging driving experience.

2025 Lexus TX 350 F Sport

As-tested price: $69,430

Pros: Vast amounts of interior space

Cons: Grand Highlander Hybrid Max is cheaper

Lexus TX 350 F Sport extended photo gallery

Lexus TX 350 F sport basic specifications

Powertrain & Performance

• Engine: 2.4 L turbocharged inline‑4

• Power: 275 hp @ 6,000 rpm

• Torque: 317 lb‑ft @ 1,700 rpm

• Transmission: 8‑speed automatic

• AWD

• 0–60 mph: 7.5 sec

Fuel Efficiency & Capacity

• EPA fuel economy: 20 mpg city / 26 mpg highway / 23 mpg combined

• Road Beat real world MPG: 22

• Fuel tank capacity: 17.8 gallons

Dimensions & Weight

• Length: 203. in

• Width: 78 in

• Height: 70 in

• Wheelbase: 116 in

• Curb weight: about 4,700 lbs

Cargo & Seating

• Seating capacity: 7

• Cargo volume (behind 3rd row): 20 cu ft

• Cargo volume behind 2nd row: 57 cu ft

• Maximum cargo volume: 97 cu ft

Towing & Ground Clearance

• Towing capacity: 5,000 lb

• Ground clearance: 8 in

Exterior & Interior Features

• Exclusive F Sport front/rear styling and blacked‑out trim

• F Sport steering wheel and aluminum pedals

• 14‑inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

• NuLuxe heated/ventilated front seats

• Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (adaptive cruise, lane keep assist, blind‑spot monitoring, optional remote park)

Pricing (approximate)

• Base MSRP: About $64,000

• As-tested price: $69,430

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