I Road Tripped a 2025 Lexus TX 350 Luxury AWD and This is My Honest Take originally appeared on Autoblog.
Family-sized space, a long time coming
As both an automotive journalist and a dad of three, I’m very interested in three-row SUVs. It’s not because I think they’re great to drive (they're not), but when an automaker builds a new one, I put it through the wringer with my family to see if it passes muster. Last year, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max was the three-row SUV I gave the best marks to, but I wanted to see how its Lexus cousin would compare. Lexus's attempt (more like an afterthought) at creating a three-row RX failed miserably due to paltry legroom. The TX is the vehicle the brand should've built years ago, and it's finally here. Over the weekend, I road tripped in a 2025 Lexus TX 350 Luxury AWD with my whole family, covering about 700 miles.
My tester was clad in Celestial Silver paint over Birch semi-aniline leather and optioned with 22-inch alloy wheels, Mark Levinson Premium Audio, heated and ventilated second-row Captain's Chairs, Technology Package (Panoramic View Monitor, Advanced park with Remote Park, Digital Rearview Mirrors, Head-Up Display, Convenience Package (Front-Cross Traffic Alert, Traffic Jam Assist), Illuminated Door Sills, Mudguards, Logo Side Puddle Lamps, Dashcam, Running Boards, Crossbars, and Rear Hatch Cargo Lamps. MSRP was $61,890, and the total came to $73,793, including options and $1,350 delivery, processing, and handling.
Handsome from (almost) every angle
For the most part, the TX 350 is an attractive SUV. The front fascia is polarizing, more so than its Toyota Grand Highlander cousin. The four-bar grille is reminiscent of Kylo Ren's mask, and it ends up looking a bit cartoonish. The LED DRL eyebrows and the integrated headlight clusters look great, as do the round fog lamps and housings. If the grille color didn't match the vehicle, the contrast may have helped. It seems Lexus is trying to downplay the spindle grille shape, which is odd considering that the fully redesigned LX 600's grille is very prominent.
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From the side, the TX 350's proportions are very good with a modest front overhang and a slightly longer rear overhang, which contributes to its great 97 cubic feet of cargo space. The wheel arches and body creases add character, and the TX has one of the better-looking floating roofs we've seen, thanks to the blackened pillars and dark-tinted glass. The full-width taillights look great and wrap all the way around to the rear quarter panel. The lack of the Lexus "L" badge on the liftgate isn't missed. Instead, L-E-X-U-S lettering across looks refined and keeps the back end uncluttered. The host of horizontal lines also reduces the TX 350's visual height well.
The interior fails to outshine its Toyota cousin
The cabin of the TX 350 is a great place to be. Upscale materials like rich suede trim on the seats, dash, and door are visually attractive and pleasant to the touch. The steering wheel is appropriately but not overly chunky, and the control stalks for lighting and wipers feel substantial and operate well. We dislike the shifter that's also found on the Toyota Prius, not because of that fact, but because it sometimes fails to engage and needs a more substantial shove, detracting from making a quick 3-point turn on more than one occasion. The traditional and larger shifter in the Grand Highlander works much better.
There are some thoughtful storage options that make the TX 350 very family-friendly. Our favorite was the sliding wireless charging pad that opens up to a storage binnacle underneath. The pad also sports a rubber surface and small perimeter lips that prevent your smartphone from sliding around. The cupholders in the TX are removable in order to free up storage space, and they look good without sliding around. The HVAC vents in the dash and center stack are weird and take some getting used to. There's a fixed portion on top and an adjustable set underneath. They're difficult to aim well, and we had to fuss with them often.
The standard 14.0-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch gauge cluster screen that comes with the TX are vivid and easy to use. We much prefer the physical controls found in the Grand Highlander to those in the TX. Too much screen real estate is used for the seat heat and ventilation, as well as the wonky fan speed control that we fat-fingered all too many times. Whoever thought an upscale interior required touchscreen controls needs to be scolded. More physical buttons, please.
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When it comes to three-row seating comfort for adults, the TX 350 does not disappoint. I'm 6'0", and I had no trouble sitting behind myself in all three rows. The second-row Captain's Chairs are excellent, and the manual adjustability is very good. Both back rows also get the Alcantara suede trim, a proper nod to luxury. The third row even has coms mild contouring, making longer trips easier. My tall kids had no trouble entering and exiting using the one-touch seat release. They had ample room to recline and stretch out during our four-hour trip to Iowa to see family. The TX 350 provides 41.6 inches of legroom in the front, 39.5 inches in the second row, and 33.5 inches in the third row, the latter of which handily beats the Mazda CX-90 and the Acura MDX.
A truly comfy ride that lacks feel
For open road cruising at highway speeds, the TX 350 is excellent. Challenge it beyond that, and it starts showing its weaknesses. The 4,420-lb SUV is asking a lot of its 275-horsepower 2.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, and the 8-speed automatic transmission has trouble figuring out what gear it should be in. Combine this with vague steering, noticeable body roll, and mushy brakes, and it's not exactly confidence-inspiring. We found the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max quicker (362 horsepower) and more rewarding to drive. That said, the TX is better at road surface compliance and a hushed cabin. It managed bumps and potholes well, and phone conversations were no problem at 75 mph.
In terms of long-haul capability, the TX 350 AWD’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping and centering systems are brilliant. Flying down Illinois's Interstate 88 was effortless, and the systems managed speed, distance, braking, acceleration, and lane centering with ease. Soft curves required virtually no driver input when the systems were engaged.
Fuel economy for the TX 350 AWD is 20 mpg city, 26 highway, and 23 combined. During our week-long review and road trip, we were able to manage right around 21 mpg combined. Our TX 350 was fully loaded with five people and luggage for about 90 percent of the driving. If you want more power and efficiency, you'll have to upgrade to hybrid versions of the TX.
Final thoughts
Lexus finally has a bona fide family-friendly three-row SUV that's sure to please. The TX 350 is more spacious than luxurious and more comfortable than sporty. If badge cred doesn't matter to you, then the top-trimmed Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid Max Platinum is a better choice for quite a bit less money. It's more powerful, better to drive, and has an ergonomically superior cabin. Whereas the Grand Highlander stands out in its segment and price point, the TX 350 is merely good.
I Road Tripped a 2025 Lexus TX 350 Luxury AWD and This is My Honest Take first appeared on Autoblog on Aug 12, 2025
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 12, 2025, where it first appeared.
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