Lexus TX vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander is one of the latest additions to Toyota's comprehensive lineup of crossovers and SUVs. Built on the TNGA-K platform, this true crossover shared its underpinnings with the Highlander, RAV4, Toyota Sienna, and Toyota Camry. Despite its substantial size, it wasn’t a body-on-frame vehicle, unlike the Tundra-based Sequoia. The Grand Highlander's dimensions were impressive, stretching to 201.4 inches in length and sitting atop a 116.1-inch wheelbase, comparable to or larger than many of its rivals like the Kia Telluride.

The Grand Highlander sported a rugged design influenced by Toyota’s off-road vehicles. It was more blocky and conservative in its aesthetic compared to the smaller Highlander, resembling vehicles like the Ford Explorer and the Honda Pilot. Its unique trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights bore a striking resemblance to the Toyota 4Runner, adding to its imposing presence.

Three trims were available for the Grand Highlander: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The interior was well-finished with options for light gray or black Softex synthetic leather on the XLE and genuine leather on higher trims. The cabin featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a large, versatile center console. Second-row captain’s chairs improved ingress and egress to the third row, making it a practical family vehicle.

Switching to the 2024 Lexus TX, which shared its foundation with the Grand Highlander, this SUV aimed for a luxury experience. The Lexus TX appeared upscale with a more refined and conservative design compared to its sibling. Equipped with 22-inch silver-finished wheels, the Luxury trim added a significant visual appeal.

Lexus offered the TX in three variants: TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+, with the TX 350 likely forming the bulk of sales. Despite a toned-down exterior design, the TX managed to avoid the polarizing looks often associated with other Lexus models. The interior in the Luxury trim was fitted with premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede, but the dark Peppercorn interior lacked brightness, even with the panoramic sunroof.

Under the hood, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with three engine choices. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produced 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. For those prioritizing fuel economy, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. At the top was the Hybrid Max powertrain, a 2.4-liter turbocharged hybrid producing an impressive 362 combined net horsepower and 400 combined net lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid Max, available only with AWD, boasted a 0-to-60 mph time of 6.3 seconds.

The Grand Highlander's handling reflected its size, feeling somewhat cumbersome in tight spaces. While it didn’t display excessive body roll, it didn’t corner as tightly as some rivals. The steering felt numb, lacking road feedback, although the brakes were solid and acceleration adequate for daily driving.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350, equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, produced slightly more power at 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque, and achieved a 0-to-60 mph time of 8 seconds (or 7.8 seconds with AWD). The FWD version had torque steer issues, and the engine note was grating, but the SUV felt quicker than official numbers suggested.

The TX 350 FWD averaged 20.4 mpg, which wasn't a significant improvement over the older RX L. However, AWD provided added traction and slightly better acceleration, albeit at a lower fuel efficiency. The ride was commendable, balancing firmness and compliance, with accurate steering and a quiet cabin enhancing comfort. The pre-production model, however, had a soft brake pedal but was easy to modulate.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander’s sheer size outclassed most of its competitors, boasting a total cargo capacity of 97.5 cubic feet. This was notably larger than the Kia Telluride's capacity. It offered 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all three rows up, making it a practical choice for families needing ample storage. The Grand Highlander was also praised for its spacious and comfortable interior, with ample head, leg, and shoulder room to accommodate even third-row passengers comfortably.

The 2024 Lexus TX aimed to overcome its predecessors' shortcomings in the three-row SUV segment. The TX provided a habitable third-row, a significant improvement over the RX L and GX models. However, sliding the second-row seat forward to accommodate third-row passengers reduced second-row comfort. Despite this, the TX offered plenty of luxury elements like premium leather, heated and ventilated seats, and dual USB charging ports for the second row.

Storage in the TX was practical, with numerous slots and cubbies, although some lacked lining, which could cause noise from stored items. The cargo space was substantial, with 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.4 cubic feet with the third row down, and an impressive 97 cubic feet with both the third and second rows folded, rivaling the Grand Highlander.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While visually appealing, the system’s full functionality required subscriptions for features like an intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, and an 11-speaker JBL stereo on higher trims. The system allowed streaming audio integration with subscription services for Sirius XM, Wi-Fi Connect, and music platforms like Apple Music and Amazon Music.

Conversely, the 2024 Lexus TX offered a robust tech suite, particularly with the optional Technology Package. This included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, some features, like the dual-purpose steering wheel controls tied to the head-up display, were counterintuitive, especially for those with polarized sunglasses. Despite this, the 14-inch touchscreen and Lexus Interface, along with a complimentary three-year Drive Connect subscription, provided a seamless user experience. The 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay system furthered the luxury feel, delivering excellent audio quality.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0), which included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, road-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was also standard. As a brand-new model, it hadn’t been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

Similarly, the 2024 Lexus TX featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, intersection assist, lane-keeping and centering assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Proactive Drive Assist offered additional braking and steering assistance. Optional features included parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist for hands-free driving in low-speed conditions on specified highways.