The TX is the Lexus spin on the components from the Toyota Grand Highlander.

The TX is a Lexus spin-off of the component set from the Toyota Grand Highlander. Styling is not as different from the Toyota as expected. Though the front end employs different pieces the overall themes, including slimline headlights, a vestigial grille and a massive lower air intakes, are a bit too similar to those of the Grand Highlander. Sharing the same glass elements, the side profile is a bit too familiar considering the very high price of the TX. Inside, with a digital gauge package and a massive infotainment screen, the cabin is a bespoke creation that displays the style and appointments expected by upscale buyers. The massive space and substantial cargo area are carried over from the Grand Highlander.

Power is from the same 275 horsepower, 2.4L turbo four found under the hood of the Grand Highlander. Power reaches all wheels via a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.

Driven in Grand Highlander form, the 2.4L turbo four is strong and eager. It revs happily and puts its power down through a well-matched, conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain feels athletic and enthusiastic. In the Toyota, the 2.4L turbo is quite loud when pushed, too loud for what is a luxury-class priced vehicle, but Lexus may have expended more money on sound proofing than Toyota did. In the Grand Highlander, there is some torque steer is detectable under hard acceleration.

The Grand Highlander’s steering is light but precise, has good on-centre feel and directional stability on the highway. If there is a criticism, it is that the steering can be a bit slow in returning to centre after a turn. Brakes are nicely weighted, with good pedal feel and no lost pedal travel.

Handling is in no way sporty but is steady and the vehicle feels surprisingly sprightly for a massive family bus. This platform Highlander drives smaller than its supersized proportions would suggest.

The air conditioner copes easily with Toronto’s muggy summer weather.

The TX 500H is a supercar hybrid combining the efforts of Toyota’s 2.4L turbo four with electric motors to create 366 horsepower.

Conventional TX 350

The base Luxury trim, with a full active safety suite, a panoramic roof, a memory system, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats and a foot-gesture power tailgate but no leather upholstery. Moving up to the Ultra Luxury trim adds Semi-Aniline processed leather seating and 10-way power seats at a price that reflects the value of the content. The Executive trim includes adaptive headlights, a Mark Levinson-branded audio system, a front cross traffic monitor and a head up display system but is significantly overpriced. Moving from the Luxury to the F Sport 3 trim adds a heated and ventilated middle-row seat, alloy foot pedals, adaptive headlights, a Mark Levinson-branded audio system, a 360 degree camera system, a front cross traffic monitor and a head up display system at priced similar to the luxury themed Executive trim. F Sport 3 buyers can opt for middle row captain seats.

Hybrid

The TX 500 H base model, the F Sport Performance 2 model had leather seating, middle-row captain chairs, heated and ventilated middle-row seats, a power fold third-row seat, a heated steering wheel, a power tailgate with hands-free operation and dynamic rear steering.