[himavanth_m]

Prologue

Back in 2019, I didn’t really need a car—because, frankly, the New York / New Jersey public transport system had me living the good life—no gas, no parking, no tools, no insurance, no problems . Trains were on time (mostly), buses were frequent (sometimes), and my legs worked just fine.

But weekend hikes and road trips started becoming a regular thing. The ones reachable by public transport and a hopeful 2-mile walk from the last stop, I did them all. Twice. After a point, even the squirrels started recognizing me. And when I looked beyond the reach of mass transit, renting a car every weekend quickly started burning a hole in my wallet deeper than the potholes on the Jersey Turnpike. Fun? Yes. Sustainable? Not even close.

So, I did what any spreadsheet-loving data analyst would do—I hunted for value. And bam! Enter the 2018 Volvo S90 Momentum—luxury, legroom, and half the original price. Thank you, first-year depreciation. You’re brutal… but also beautiful.

Here’s my Swedish chariot somewhere in the wilds of Maine—looking all business class


Stretch limo vibes. This thing is loooooooong.


Now, don’t get me wrong—I loved the S90. It had that Scandinavian cool: minimalist design, elegant vibes, rear legroom and more rear legroom . But—ride quality? Yeah, no, no, no!!

My S90 came with those optional 19-inch wheels that look fantastic in pics but feel like medieval torture devices on US Northeast roads. Every bump and pebble on the road felt like the car was filing a personal complaint directly to my back . At some point, I had to admit defeat—my spine wasn’t built to absorb the emotional baggage my suspension kept unloading.

And with a growing family it became crystal clear: I needed something with more seats… and more importantly, suspension that didn’t transmit Morse code every time I hit a pot hole .

The checklist was simple. I wanted:

• A comfortable ride
• Three-row adult seating
• Did I mention a more comfortable ride?
• All the safety bells and whistles
• And oh yeah… a ride that actually feels comfortable (please, universe)

[himavanth_m]

So the hunt began. I rolled up my sleeves (metaphorically—it was winter) and and dove headfirst into the glorious time sink known as YouTube reviews (Kelly Blue Book, CarWow, —you name it, I watched it. Twice ).

After all the spec comparisons, and third-row space challenges, I had narrowed it down. The contenders: BMW X7, Mercedes GLS 450, Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Acura MDX, and the freshly minted Lexus TX (or Toyota Grand Highlander).

They all had their strengths—power, prestige, plush interiors—but my heart (and back) were leaning heavily toward the TX. It promised the perfect trifecta: Lexus comfort, Toyota practicality, and enough space for the future family.

So, naturally, it was time to start the test drives.
Except… Lexus had to stop selling the TX.
Right as I was about to test drive one, they issued a stop-sell order. Turns out, there was a defect: if the windows were open during a crash, the side airbags might not deploy. Which is… kind of an important feature. I guess.
Naturally, I tried to reason with the dealership: "Look, I’ll keep my windows rolled up. I promise "

No demos, no deliveries, no timeline. Lexus shrugged and basically said, “We’ll sell it again once we figure it out.” Link

So there I was—armed with research, enthusiasm, and caffeine—staring at a shortlist full of “close enough” options. So I hit pause on the whole car hunt.
"Just a little longer," I pleaded with my spine. "We’ll get there."

I decided to wait it out.

[himavanth_m]

The Contenders
Just when I had almost made peace with the idea of settling—or worse, restarting the YouTube binge cycle—January rolled around, and with it, a little miracle: Lexus resumed TX sales.

Naturally, the hunt was back on. So I started with test drives.

BMW X7 - “Luxury, power with an expensive price tag”

• Interiors were proper first-class—leather, metal, ambient lights that made me feel mildly important.
• The straight-six engine with the gear box? Silky smooth.
• Tech cockpit with the curved display was slick

Why I walked away:

• The price shoots up faster than your heart rate once you start adding options ( I really wanted the soft closing doors, 2nd sunroof for 3rd row and much more).
• Run-flat tires made the ride... felt like a trip down the Volvo memory lane.
• And then there’s BMW mileage. Let’s just say it’s more ‘impressive’ in how quickly the tank empties.

Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 - “A magic carpet.”

What I loved:

• Air suspension = pure wizardry. Floated over bumps like a hovercraft.
• Cabin space and layout felt genuinely luxurious

Why I passed:

• No good finance deals. A little out of budget. No good pre-owned ones that I liked.
• Third row while decent, still not for adults over long drives.
• And Mercedes maintenance? Beautiful to drive. Expensive to own. I like surprises—just not from repair bills.

Audi Q7 - "A driver’s SUV that thinks it’s a sports sedan—but forgot it also needs to carry seven people and their stuff"

What I loved:

• Surprisingly agile
• Impeccable build quality—everything felt tight, precise, very Audi.

Why it didn’t make the cut:

• Third row was more symbolic than functional. Great for kids. Or contortionists.
• Cargo space was basically a formality with all seats up.

A side note: I still don’t know where the 5.1 meters of length went in the Audi Q7. The BMW X7 and Lexus TX are just 5.2 metres, a mere 10 cm more!

Acura MDX - “Great value, sharp handling, tons of features - but a generation old (current version from 2017) ”

What I loved:

• Insane value for money—features galore for the price.
• SH-AWD added a hint of fun in corners, even in an SUV this size.
• Sporty looks, well-tuned handling, just a really competent package.

Why I ruled it out:

• Road noise was a little too present—like a background podcast I didn’t subscribe to.
• Third row space was still at a premium
• And it just didn’t spark any real emotion. Great tool, solid buy… but no butterflies. - No offence to anyone owning an MDX.

At the end of this test drive tour, every SUV had its strengths. But none quite matched what the TX promised on paper.

Lexus TX 350 Premium - "A calm, comfortable cruiser that prioritizes your spine and your sanity"

• Ride quality is easily best-in-class. (Mercedes GLS aside)
• Spacious, quiet, and practical interior—real third row + actual cargo room with all seats up.
• Clean, modern Lexus interior with a massive touchscreen, physical controls where needed, and no learning curve.

Why I still hesitated (briefly):

• The 2.4L turbo is smooth and composed—perfect for daily driving, not for drag strips. As for the F-Sport Performance trim? I didn’t see the value in paying more to go only marginally faster while riding stiffer. I really wanted to please my spine this time.
• The exterior design is... let’s just say, distinctive. Some will call it sleek and modern. Others might wonder if Lexus ran out of curves and settled for angles.

But when I stepped out of the TX after the test drive, I didn’t feel like I had to “tolerate” anything. No “I’ll get used to it.” It just worked. Smooth, quiet, spacious—and finally, a ride that didn’t feel like a low-key punishment.

After months of searching, it felt like Lexus had been quietly building exactly what I was looking for—while I was busy bouncing around in other SUVs.

And just like that, the hunt was over.

A couple of honorable mentions that didn’t make it to the test drive stage:

Toyota Grand Highlander
Honestly, I was tempted. Saving around $10,000 for what’s essentially the same platform as the Lexus TX—with better fuel economy (Hybrid) and a more practical.

Why? My better half took one glance at the interior and said, “I am not sitting in another Innova Hycross in US”
And just like that, it was out of the running—no questions asked.
No offense to Toyota, it’s supremely practical and probably the most sensible choice. But once that visual comparison was made, there was no going back.

Infiniti QX60—which never even got a chance to plead its case.

Why? Two words: depreciation disaster.
It looks nice on the outside and offers solid features, but buying a brand-new QX60. No Thank You!

[himavanth_m]

Which Color?
We started with Wind Chill Pearl (a.k.a. white), but my wife took one look and said, “It looks too big.” The TX isn’t exactly petite. In white it is Elegant! Maybe. But Subtle? Definitely not.

The only other color we both liked? Nightfall Mica (a.k.a really dark blue). But under sunlight, it has depth, flair, and just the right amount of mystery.

So Nightfall Mica it was. Classy, not white and it didn’t make the car look like a mobile glacier.

Which Variant?
Trim-wise, we quickly zeroed in on the TX 350 Premium—the clear sweet spot in the lineup. It ticked all the right boxes: ventilated front seats, a panoramic roof, the huge touchscreen, and a price tag that still made sense.

The Luxury trim didn’t offer enough to justify the premium, and the F-Sport Performance? No firm ride please!

We also knew we wanted the 6-seater setup with captain’s chairs and heated & ventilated second-row seats.


The Catch?
Our dream combo—Premium trim, 6-seater layout, ventilated second row, in Nightfall Mica—wasn’t exactly growing on trees. Actually, it wasn’t anywhere. It felt like Lexus made maybe… a dozen of them nationwide. Probably as a dare.

And just like that, the waiting game began. 4 Weeks was the delivery timeline given by the dealership. But after all the research, test drives, and “almosts” we turned down, this felt like the right one to wait for.

Finally on February 28th, I had the Lexus TX with me.

The wait is over. The TX has landed.






And when the Lexus arrived, the Volvo had to go.
Goodbye Volvo. You were long, sleek, and slightly traumatic. (Hope to write the Volvo S90 review soon - Drove 50,000 miles (~80,000kms) in 5 years

[himavanth_m]

I have drive ~3,000 miles until now and here are my first impressions

What I like

• Ride Comfort is Phenomenal - Finally, my spine feels safe again.
• Spacious & Practical Cabin - Real third-row seating and usable cargo space at the same time—no compromises.
• Usable cargo space with all rows up – rare for a 3-row SUV. Next best to a minivan.
• Quiet, Refined Cabin - Conversations and music finally don’t compete with tire noise.
• Solid build quality – everything feels tight and well put together
• Ventilated seats, panoramic roof, Lexus-level tech and safety—without going overboard or pushing into Luxury trim territory.
• Good ride height and visibility – feels commanding
• Excellent Reliability & Resale Value - We expect it to hold value better than most luxury SUVs in this segment.
• Excellent fuel economy - This car is giving me 24mpg (10 kmpl) . This I think is excellent for a car of this size. For comparison, my Volvo used to give me 25 mpg.
  

What I Don’t Like

• Engine is... Fine - The 2.4L turbo gets the job done, but don’t expect fireworks. You’ll merge confidently, just not dramatically.
• Gear box just does the job. Nothing exciting there!
• Shorter Service Intervals (5,000 miles) - Compared to competitors offering 10,000-mile intervals, Lexus still sticks with 5K miles per service—which means more frequent trips to the dealership. Thankfully, they have a car pick up at home for service!
• Hard plastics in lower areas – especially anything below knee level. Not cool, Lexus. Not sure what happened to the interior designer who gave us the plush cabins in other Lexus models.
• Push-button electronic door release – because apparently regular handles were too mainstream. Watching first time passenger try to open the door is now part of the entertainment
  

[manofinfinity]

Congratulations, You got yourself peace of mind, I wish they brought the TX to India.
Do you also own the Hycross? If yes how do they both compare in terms of comfort, build, ride quality and handling?
Are they both even comparable?
I guess In India Hycross is a poor man’s Lexus TX.

[himavanth_m]

And now, the photos—because what’s a review without slightly crooked, poorly lit proof of ownership?

The business end - Lexus’ latest take on the spindle grille—bold, angular, and impossible to ignore.
And yes, that’s the logo on the hood, not the grille (as in other models).
Why? Aerodynamic efficiency. Because clearly, that’s what was holding back the drag coefficient on a 2 ton, box styled, three-row SUV.


Side View – All 5.2 Metres of It. It’s long. Very long. Longer than the 5 meter Volvo. Parallel parking not recommended near tight spots


The other side view - Because symmetry matters


Front Three-Quarters View - The classic “don’t I look good from this angle?” shot




3rd Row Interior Space – The Decider
Tested with 6 people on an 8-hour drive. Verdict? No complaints, no chiropractor visits. Even the third-row passengers survived without mutiny.


Cargo Space with All Rows Up - Surprisingly useful. Fit luggage, backpacks and much more.
Stats -
Behind the Third Row: 20.2 cubic feet (573 liters)
Behind the Second Row: 57.4 cubic feet (1628 liters)
With Both Rear Rows Folded: 97 cubic feet (2747 liters)


Rear view with light bar (standard across all new Lexus these days).


A bike rack
A must-have. If you see me driving on weekends, chances are there's a bike strapped to the back


The 14” Infotainment + Cockpit
Massive screen. Paddle shifters included—mostly to fulfill Team-BHP checklist, not actual usage. If you're expecting "spirited" driving… you're in the wrong car.


360° Camera System
It maps under the car while reversing. Yes, really. Perfect for spotting invisible curbs and lost toys.


Second Row Command Center
Climate control, ventilated seats, USB ports—it’s practically a poor man's business class cabin.


Infotainment Menus
I opened these menus purely for this review. Otherwise, they remain untouched—like vegetables on a kids dinner plate.

Drive mode can be customized.


Example Custom Drive Mode
Because Normal, Sport, and Eco weren’t enough.


Mysterious AWD view.
It says “All-Wheel Drive,” but gives me absolutely no control over it. Classic Lexus: "Trust me, I got this."


Tire pressure monitor


ADAS Features
Lane keep assist, radar cruise, blind spot monitor—basically a co-driver with better reflexes and no opinions.


Driving statistics. Some of the highway runs have given me 30mpg (12-14 kmpl).

[himavanth_m]

Other points to note
Interior Color Choice
Skipped black—had that in my Volvo and didn’t want another goth cave.
White and grey looked great… in brochures. In real life, with kids and muddy shoes? A daily reminder I’m not a professional detailer.
Ended up with Peppercorn Dark Brown, which hit the sweet spot: classy, practical, and forgiving when life (or tiny sneakers) gets messy.

Sound System
I didn’t opt for the upgraded 21-speaker Mark Levinson system.
I’m not an audiophile, and the standard 12 speaker system is already more than adequate for my ears—which, last I checked, weren’t tuned for studio-level precision. Also I did not read good reviews of the 21 speaker system on reddit.

More details to follow—as soon as my memory cooperates.

Originally Posted by manofinfinity

Congratulations, You got yourself peace of mind, I wish they brought the TX to India.
Do you also own the Hycross? If yes how do they both compare in terms of comfort, build, ride quality and handling?
Are they both even comparable?
I guess In India Hycross is a poor man’s Lexus TX.

Thanks.
The Lexus TX was designed exclusively for the North American market—emphasis on huge. It's not sold in any right-hand-drive markets, so no luck for India (for now). But yes, I really do wish Lexus would launch it there—it would absolutely find takers.


Now, onto the comparison—yes, I’ve used both the Innova Hycross (Mine is a Blackish Ageha Glass Flake or Dark blue in simpler terms) and the Lexus TX over 5000 kms. , and while they share the parent company, they’re completely different beasts in terms of size, feel, and intent.

The Hycross, being an MPV, is incredibly space-efficient. At just 4.8 meters long, it still manages to offer a truly comfortable third row—something even many larger SUVs struggle with. It’s hard to beat the Hycross on pure packaging.

That said, when it came to choosing a vehicle in the U.S., I had no desire to be seen driving another minivan. So I skipped some fantastic MPV options (looking at you, Toyota Sienna,Honda Odyssey,Kia Carnival) and went SUV shopping instead.

Here’s a quick head-to-head between the two:

• Handling – Both are monocoque and car-like to drive. Neither is sporty, and both are best enjoyed with a light foot. That said, if I had to nitpick, the Lexus TX feels more composed and confident behind the wheel.
• Fuel Efficiency - The Hycross wins hands down on fuel economy, thanks to its hybrid setup.
• Refinement – Hycross is a bit less refined, especially at highway speeds. The TX is quieter and smoother.
• Ride Comfort – The TX glides over potholes like they don’t exist. The Hycross on 18s, while decent, has a firmer edge to it. In fact, I felt the MG Hector Plus back in India had a softer, more absorbent ride than the Hycross.
• Features & Interior – The TX definitely packs more features and feels more premium compared to Hycross. However, like the Hycross, the interior of TX doesn't feel quite as plush as it should for its price point, especially when compared to similarly priced European rivals like the Q7 or even its own siblings like the RX. I think more price for less features is in Toyota's DNA.
• Build Quality – Lexus wins here without question. Panel gaps are tighter, materials feel more solid, and even the paint finish feels a class above Toyota.

Both my cars are blue. A quick comparison.

[car_guy1998]

Congratulations!

The Lexus TX looks impressive and butch. Good to see that you also live in New Jersey.

BTW, which part of New Jersey do you live in? Asking because I too live in New Jersey, albeit, at Monroe Township-Jamesburg, where you find lots of gated communities over here.

Good to see that you also own a Hycross back in India and so do we though ours is VX variant and bought in Pearl White colour.

[Utopian]

What a stunning SUV — huge congrats! Nightfall Mica looks absolutely killer on this beast, and those sharp design lines give it some serious road presence. In a way, Hycross and TX 350 look like siblings, brought up in very dissimilar environs.

Wishing you loads of great miles with the Lexus.

[anivy]

Have heard about "Heart" vs "Head" battles when choosing a car. Congratulations to you on adding "Spine" to the two choices we had till date.

Great choice on the car selection!

[Shivacharanpate]

Congratulations on the big Lexus! It is an amazing car and wish you many happy miles on it. Doug De Muro had done a nice video and got me interested.
I always was fascinated by Lexus, I used to see a RX350 in Bangalore on a regular basis and dreamed of owning a Lexus. But the roads in the UK are not suited for big SUVs.

[Foxbat]

Congratulations on your new Lexus!

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

Prologue

Back in 2019, I didn’t really need a car—because, frankly, the New York / New Jersey public transport system had me living the good life—no gas, no parking, no tools, no insurance, no problems . Trains were on time (mostly), buses were frequent (sometimes), and my legs worked just fine.

I was in the same position when I lived in Manhattan, I had no car for 1.5 years.

I'm looking forward to your review of the S90. 50% off for a one year old car is unbelievable. I would love to get a deal like that on a S-Class or & series

We have a Team-Bhp whatsapp group for the NY/NJ area and plan to meet again once it gets warmer. Let me know if you are interested in joining.

[himavanth_m]

Also I found the exact specifications of the Lexus TX I ordered. Here is the PDF for those interested.
lexus tx .pdf

Originally Posted by Shivacharanpate

Congratulations on the big Lexus! It is an amazing car and wish you many happy miles on it. Doug De Muro had done a nice video and got me interested.
I always was fascinated by Lexus, I used to see a RX350 in Bangalore on a regular basis and dreamed of owning a Lexus. But the roads in the UK are not suited for big SUVs.

This car had one market in Mind - North America.
It’s Lexus’ first entry into this segment with a monocoque platform. They do offer the GX and LX—both rugged but thirsty, not exactly spacious (read useless third row), and not the most enjoyable to drive.
Blame the ladder-frame chassis for all those characteristics. GX / LX can definitely take more abuse. Also the materials and the luxury quotient on GX / LX is way higher than a TX.
But they were out of contention primarily due to the 3rd row space, lower mileage and no cargo space with all rows up.

Yes, Doug DeMuro had done a nice video. Here are a couple of other short reviews of Lexus TX on KBB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivJX05xA848

and this interior review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tv16xSvdAA

Originally Posted by car_guy1998

Congratulations!
BTW, which part of New Jersey do you live in?

Woodbridge area. I will send a separate PM.

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I'm looking forward to your review of the S90. 50% off for a one year old car is unbelievable. I would love to get a deal like that on a S-Class or & series

We have a Team-Bhp whatsapp group for the NY/NJ area and plan to meet again once it gets warmer. Let me know if you are interested in joining.

Hopefully, I should get to the S90 review soon.
Those were pre-pandemic days where cars were at a discount and dealerships were sitting on unsold inventory. Its no longer the case.
So such a deal can be a miracle now!.

I would love to meet the group. I will send a PM.

[nikhilarni]

Originally Posted by himavanth_m

The Contenders



BMW X7 - “Luxury, power with an expensive price tag”

Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 - “A magic carpet.”

Audi Q7 - "A driver’s SUV that thinks it’s a sports sedan—but forgot it also needs to carry seven people and their stuff"

A side note: I still don’t know where the 5.1 meters of length went in the Audi Q7. The BMW X7 and Lexus TX are just 5.2 metres, a mere 10 cm more!

Lexus TX 350 Premium - "A calm, comfortable cruiser that prioritizes your spine and your sanity"


Toyota Grand Highlander
Honestly, I was tempted. Saving around $10,000 for what’s essentially the same platform as the Lexus TX—with better fuel economy (Hybrid) and a more practical.

Hi Himavanth,

Congratulations on the TX. Loved the Penmanship - writing style with the humor peppered in.

I was in a similar boat early 2024 and went the Hyundai Palisade way.

We pretty much tested the X7, GLE & GLS and the Q7 - but CPO only. Q7 felt so cramped from the inside with lack of trunk space and storage options within as well.

The TX was just about launched with the Grand Hilander at that time. For the options I wanted, the cost keep reaching the X7 levels that didn't make sense to me. The Pali Cali sort of ticked all boxes and Pali it was.

It was great reading your thread and follow your ownership journey. Wishing you many many miles and stressfree and pain free travels.