2026 Lexus TX Review
Our automotive expert shares opinions and new photos of the 2026 Lexus TX plug-in hybrid.
Beverly Braga
- Pros:Â With a spacious cabin, impressive real-world fuel efficiency, and robust technology, there's a lot to like about this large Lexus.
- Cons: Middling handling and noticeable wind noise create a non-luxury experience.
- The Takeaway: Despite a generally comfortable ride and convenient utility, the TX Â may not meet luxury expectations.
The 2026 Lexus TX is a three-row midsize SUV with copious cargo space and plenty of technology — and the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant exceeded my fuel-economy expectations. But with disappointing refinement and handling performance, even the positive attributes fail to give this Lexus SUV a truly luxurious feel.
What's New for the 2026 Lexus TX
The Lexus TX is a relatively new model, having joined the luxury automaker's lineup for 2024. Nearly a straight carryover from the previous model year, the 2026 TX gains a new exterior color, Matador Red Mica (unavailable with F Sport trim levels). The TX 550h+ PHEV also now includes a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment.
Beverly Braga
About the 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ Review Vehicle
Lexus offers the 2026 TX with three powertrain choices, including gasoline, hybrid, and PHEV. The gas TX 350 models are available in base, Premium, Luxury, and F Sport trim levels; the hybrid TX 500h comes in two F Sport variants; and the PHEV TX 550h+ is available only with Luxury trim.
The TX's base prices range from about $58,000 to around $82,000, including the destination charge for shipping the SUV from its Princeton, Indiana, assembly plant to a dealership.
For this review, I test-drove the TX 550h+ Luxury in southeast Michigan. Optional equipment highlights included the Technology Package, Convenience Package, a 120-volt/1,500-watt power outlet, roof-rack cross bars, a carpeted cargo mat, and wheel locks, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) to $85,464, including the $1,550 destination charge. Lexus provided the vehicle for this TX 550h+ review.
Beverly Braga
Design, Quality, and Interior Layout
The TX's design is distinctively Lexus, albeit a bit oversized. As one of the newest luxury barges to enter the three-row midsize SUV market, the TX makes a big impression with its 22-inch-wheel footprint. Though expansive in length and height, the TX features a lean waist. Its styling, however, is plain, with proportions and design seemingly focused more on spacious comfort than dramatic first impressions.
The interior of the TX is luxury-inspired, with perforated leather everywhere, bright metallic accents, minimal buttons, and large digital screens. But remove the Lexus badge from the steering wheel, and the interior could easily pass for one of the top trims from, say, Mazda, a mass-market automaker that has been leaning into premium offerings.
Overall, the TX's interior layout is modern yet easy to navigate. The few buttons and knobs are large and within reach; the controls and the feel of the materials reflect quality; and there are plenty of soft spots to rest elbows, knees, and hands.
Beverly Braga
Comfort, Convenience, and Cargo Space
A legitimate three-row people-mover, the Lexus TX seats up to seven. My Luxury-trimmed test vehicle had second-row captain's chairs, so occupancy was down to six.
My 5-foot-2-inch self and 6-foot-2-inch passenger had no trouble finding optimal seating positions in the front. But that was the only thing we agreed on. He found the legroom and thigh support more than sufficient but felt the lumbar adjustments were too aggressive. I found the lumbar settings to be just right, but the side bolsters offered zero reinforcement for my petite frame.
Second-row occupants have plenty of room and enjoy tall, supportive seats. Adults assigned to the third row are treated reasonably well, too. While the rearmost seats lack the same amount of cushioning as the middle captain's chairs, by this segment's standards, it's roomy enough for adults to ride for more than just a crosstown trip.
Behind the third row, cargo space amounts to 20.2 cubic-feet. That's good enough for one large check-in suitcase and a couple of backpacks. With the third row folded down, capacity increases to a generous 57.4 cu-ft, and with both rear rows flattened, this Lexus can swallow 97 cubes of stuff. I made good use of the TX's cargo capacity while moving out of my storage unit.
Interior stash space is plentiful, and there are cupholders galore that can hold large beverages. However, the glove compartment door sounds and feels a little cheap when it closes.
Beverly Braga
2026 Lexus TX Infotainment System Review
Every 2026 Lexus TX is equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14.0-inch touchscreen featuring the Lexus Interface infotainment system. Thanks to the optional Technology Package, my test vehicle was equipped with a head-up display (HUD).
Standard features of Lexus Interface include:
- Drive Connect connected services (with a three-year trial subscription)
- Navigation
- Intelligent Assistant voice recognition
- Destination Assist
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity
- Wireless smartphone charging
- 12-speaker audio system
- SiriusXM satellite radio (three-month trial subscription included)
As you move up the trim-level ladder, additional features include:
- Mark Levinson 21-speaker premium sound system
The Intelligent Assistant voice recognition system responds to natural speech with a simple "Hey, Lexus" to start the conversation. Using it, I successfully requested directions and activated the heated seats without an issue. Not once did I have to repeat myself, even with the windows down. Sometimes, I did away with the formalities altogether and simply said, "Turn on the air conditioning." Request obliged.
Not only was the voice activation easy to use, but the digital displays were also easy on the eyes. The embedded Lexus Interface features a clean layout with crisp, legible fonts, appealing visual imagery, and soft color tones. Day and night, the displays were more soothing than glaring, which is a blessing when screen time already takes up so much of our day.
Beverly Braga
Safety Features and Ratings
Lexus equips the TX with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, a collection of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) as standard equipment. It includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane-departure warning
- Lane-keeping assist
- Lane-centering assist
- Road sign recognition
- Forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection
- Automatic emergency braking
- Left-turn oncoming-vehicle detection/braking
Also standard but not tucked under the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 umbrella are:
- Rear automatic braking
- Safe-exit assist
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
In addition to those features, my test car added:
- Forward cross-traffic alert
- Traffic Jam Assist (hands-free driver-assistance system that operates at low speeds on the highway)
- Advanced Park with Remote Park (remote automated parallel/perpendicular parking)
- Surround-view monitor
- Digital rearview mirror
The long list of standard and available safety features is admirable, but I found the execution frustrating. There are more warnings and chimes than I know what to do with. Why? Because I'm actually concentrating on driving and prefer not to take my eyes off the road to read pop-up notifications within the instrument display. Or rather, attempt to read them because none remained visible for very long.
Using the multipurpose yet unlabeled steering wheel-mounted controls requires a steep learning curve. The left pad controls media and voice recognition, while the right one handles ADAS and the driver's display settings.
The good news is that those menus appear in both the instrument display and the HUD. The bad news is that the unmarked controls are extremely touch sensitive, so regardless of whether you've conquered the learning curve, you just might inadvertently change a setting simply by resting your hand on a spoke.
The ADAS itself operated without sparking any gripes. On the highway, the adaptive cruise control eased into braking and acceleration, and the lane-keeping systems weren't jerky or indecisive, especially when maintaining speed and keeping the SUV centered on long, sweeping curves.
As of publication, the Lexus TX 550h+ PHEV had no overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Due to the nature of its PHEV powertrain, the TX 550h+ doesn't automatically share the safety ratings of other TX models.
Beverly Braga
2026 Lexus TX 550h+ Specs and Fuel Economy
The TX 550h+ is the first Lexus PHEV model to be paired with a V6. Perhaps that sounds counterintuitive, but real-world numbers proved otherwise. The 3.5-liter V6 and Lexus hybrid technology produce a combined 404 horsepower and are paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission; the TX 550h+ is also equipped with standard all-wheel drive (AWD).
As of publication, the EPA had not yet listed official fuel-economy figures for the 2026 TX plug-in hybrid. According to Lexus, however, the TX 550h+ will return 29 mpg in combined city and highway driving, and its EV-only range is estimated at 33 miles. During my few days with the vehicle, I plugged the SUV in each night. As a result, my mileage exceeded the automaker's projections. Over 254.8 miles of driving, just 6.3 gallons were needed to fill the 14.5-gallon tank, which translates to 40.3 mpg combined.
That's notable for a small car, but downright impressive for a midsize three-row luxury SUV. A beneficial fuel-sipping feature is the ability to switch between EV and Hybrid modes on demand. There is an Auto mode, as well, but I found it less fuel efficient because the system can't see road conditions or traffic ahead, let alone read your mind.
With a Level 2 charger, the automaker estimates the TX will take about three hours to reach a full charge. I plugged the TX into a standard home outlet, and the charging readout showed about 12 hours when the battery was depleted. But I usually had a few miles left after my drives and averaged seven to nine hours of overnight charging.
Beverly Braga
2026 Lexus TX 550h+ Test Drive
The TX, a large SUV, has neither a sporty nature nor a spring in its step; I found cornering required a slow, easy pace. When road surfaces weren't pockmarked with crumbles, the TX felt like it was gliding on glass. However, that composure shattered when rough-and-tumble cracks came into play. An adaptive suspension could smooth out such wrinkles, but that feature is exclusive to the F Sport trims.
The 3.5-liter V6 is not one to go quiet into the night, making its presence heard, especially under full throttle. But with the engine buried under a massive hood, its growl emanates like distant thunder. Wind noise was a point of contention, though. Once I left the meandering city streets for highway speeds, I repeatedly double-checked that the windows were up.
Aside from these refinement missteps, however, the TX made for a pleasant daily driver overall.
Beverly Braga
Alternatives to the 2026 Lexus TX
The big TX is a little short on personality, but still leaves an impression with its spaciousness and notable real-world fuel economy. I can forgive its incessant safety warnings and less-than-thrilling performance in light of other qualities, such as upscale interior touchpoints and intuitive infotainment.
Competitive three-row SUVs with this amount of interior space include the more expensive BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS, as well as traditional full-size SUVs like the Infiniti QX80. If you want a plug-in hybrid, your alternatives are the smaller Mercedes-Benz GLE or Volvo XC90. The Mazda CX-90 is also worth a look, offering upscale design and interior features at a better price.
Beverly BragaBeverly Braga is a freelance writer and consultant with nearly 20 years of experience as a storyteller and communications professional. Her work has appeared in numerous print and digital outlets covering the automotive, entertainment, lifestyle, as well as food and beverage industries.
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