Before I got into the Lexus TX 550h+ PHEV, I assumed it would be similar to most of the other 3-row SUVs I’ve tested: boaty, confined, and a third row made for people under three-feet tall, despite being one of the most expensive on the market and most expensive TX model. However, the Lexus proved me wrong. The almost three-ton vehicle was sure-footed, peppy, and roomy.
In my opinion, this 3rd row design should be the standard for other manufacturers to follow. It’s the most spacious and comfortable 3-row SUV I’ve ever sat in.
And then, you can drive around all week on electric power and for the most part, forgo using gas if you’d like; just plug it in nightly for 33 miles of all electric range. As the top of the line model, you also get the best of everything Lexus TX offers: the most powerful engine in the lineup at 404 HP, leather seating with microsuede accents, all the technology that Lexus offers and the reliability and longevity from the Toyota end of things, and it’s worth the nearly $80,000 price tag.
Video: Our test drive and full tour of the Lexus TX!
This story is 100% human researched and written based on actual first-person knowledge, extensive experience and expertise on the subject of cars and trucks. No AI was used.
The Lexus TX 550h+ is a Real Alternative to a Minivan
Many automakers present a 3-row SUV as a substitute for a minivan, but none of them actually crossed the finish line like the Lexus has. Interestingly enough, the 550h+ is the same length as the Toyota Sienna at just over 203 inches. With all the length and the third-row down, the cargo space is much larger than most 3-row SUVs.
What truly sets the Lexus TX 550h+ apart from the competition, though, is how little cargo space is the third row compromises. With the third-row in use, this SUV still has 20.2 cubic-feet of space to use. With the third-row folded down, the space more than doubles to 57.4 cubic-feet of space.
Related: Lexus Redesigned Their Entire SUV Lineup. Here’s What You Need to Know
Fold Down Seats at the Push of a Button
The real game changer was the button on the left side of the second row that allowed the seats to fold automatically. This made access to the third row a synch. Once folded, the seat could be pushed forward with minimal effort. That means third-row passengers can exit the car without requiring someone to fold and push the seat for them.
The third row seats can also recline by forty degrees. With all that space in the trunk, it provides a cozy place to nap during a road trip.
The very rear seats also deploy or fold with the push of a button in the trunk, so you don’t have to lean into the large trunk to manually fold or unfold the seats.
Related: How Does the Lexus TX 550h+ Compare to the Lexus LC 500h?
A Spacious Third Row Fit for Real Adults
Finally, the third row was incredibly spacious. I’m about 5’8”, and I had a good 3.5 to four inches from my knees to the back of the second-row seat. I was floored, as I’ve never experienced a third row so spacious and comfortable. Normally, I’m forced to sit sideways to fit, but not in the Lexus.
Related: How does the TX 550h+ Compare to the Classic Lexus GX 550?
A Heavy Hybrid that Goes the Distance
Lexus says the curb weight is 5,400 pounds, which is heavy for any SUV. The Lexus TX 550h+ PHEV is the heaviest of the 500h lineup with the smallest fuel tank. However, it still gets the best mileage in the lineup thanks to the plug-in hybrid battery.
Paired with a 3.5-liter V6 making a tad over 400 horsepower, despite its heft, it gets an average 29 MPG in addition to the 33 miles it can go just on the battery. It’s ideal for people with short commutes at low speeds or driving around town running errands.
Also, the Lexus TX 550h+ comes exclusively in all-wheel drive, making it perfect for those who experience snowy, icy winters, wet springs or have gravel roads on their journey.
Related: 10 Reasons Why the Lexus Performance Driving School Made Me a Better Driver
Driving the Lexus Was Truly an Experience
Although the Lexus TC 550h+ is a large SUV, I only noticed it while taking on tight corners at high speeds. Otherwise, it felt a lot smaller than it actually is. It’s a little difficult to tell where the corners are because the hood is about a mile long, but the front is loaded with proximity sensors to make up for the lack of visibility.
Steering the Lexus was easy, and it had a respectable turning radius for how big it is. Braking was equally as effortless – not like most large vehicles, which seem to take more effort to completely stop.
Related: 2025 Volvo XC90 First Drive — Tech Updates Make this Luxe SUV Even Better
Surprising Pep You Didn’t Know You Wanted in a Family SUV
It’s also impressively quick from a stop. Which, let’s be honest, isn’t important to most people buying 3-row SUVs, but it was definitely a perk for me that would push me to buy the Lexus over something like a Toyota Highlander or Kia Telluride.
For both the driver and passengers, visibility is excellent. The interior felt very open, with lots of natural light coming through the factory tinted windows. If it became too much, though, rear passengers have the option to put up a manual sunshade for additional coverage.
Ok, But What are the Downsides?
The only thing I didn’t like was the heads up display. The images and numbers displayed kept constantly changing. I found it more distracting than helpful, but I do feel like that’s a feature you’d get used to after driving it for a while. If the display becomes too distracting, it can also be deactivated with voice commands or by scrolling through the menu, which I appreciate.
The model I tested came equipped with captain’s chairs in the second row, which bring the total number of possible passengers down to six instead of seven. Buyers who need a bench seat for 7 passengers will find it in the entry level 350 models, but not the 550h PHEV.
Fast Charging Trade-Offs and the Price of Luxury
The 550h+ doesn’t support DC fast charging. However, it does allow for Level 2 charging, which fully charges the hybrid battery in about three hours; it can be charged overnight at a standard household outlet, too.
In my opinion, it’s also pretty pricey when the main selling point of the Lexus is its space and comfort for 3 rows of passengers. But for buyers who are reluctant to carry the baggage of a minivan, and who want top of the line luxury, the Lexus TX 550h+ is a very worthy and legitimate alternative for those who aren’t intimidated by the $78,050 MSRP.
