If you’re looking for a large SUV with adult-friendly seating across all three rows, then you’ll like the look of the Toyota Grand Highlander and Lexus TX. Both vehicles have a spacious interior, plenty of cargo room, and a potent powertrain. There’s also a long list of entertainment features in both vehicles to keep all your passengers happy. So how can you choose between the two of them? Our SUV experts here at Longo Toyota of Prosper have taken a closer look at how these two family-sized vehicles stack up.
Value for Money
If affordability is your priority, there’s no doubt that the Grand Highlander is the better option. While the Grand Highlander is part of the large SUV class, the Lexus TX makes it into the large luxury SUV class. Of course, this means that the Lexus TX has a more upscale cabin and additional tech features. But if your main concern is getting a quality three-row SUV with a reasonable price tag, you should be aware that the Grand Highlander’s starting price of around $43,000 undercuts the Lexus TX by about $10,000.
That being said, the top Platinum trim in the Grand Highlander has a comparable price tag to the base Lexus TX model. So, if you’re already considering moving up the Grand Highlander’s trim ladder, you may want to ask yourself whether the Lexus TX is the better choice. However, keep in mind that the top trim in the Lexus TX climbs over the $60,000 mark.
Engine and Performance
There’s no great difference between the powertrains in these two vehicles. The Grand Highlander is powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that puts out 265 horsepower and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It makes 28 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg on city roads. In the Lexus TX, you get a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that churns out 275 horsepower. This engine is also paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and manages almost the same fuel efficiency, with 27 mpg on the highway and 21 mpg in the city.
Interior and Cargo
The cabins in these two vehicles are approximately the same size. One advantage enjoyed by the Grand Highlander is that it can provide space for up to eight passengers, while the Lexus TX can only hold seven. The standard configuration in the Grand Highlander is for seven, including second-row captain’s chairs. But this can be boosted to eight with a bench seat. The Lexus TX has a bench seat in the second row in its seven-seater setup, dropping to six if you opt for captain’s chairs.
Cargo space is just about identical in both vehicles. The Lexus TX boasts 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded flat, and 97 cubic feet with both rear rows down. The figures for the Grand Highlander are 20.6, 57.9, and 97.5 cubic feet, respectively.
Both the Grand Highlander interior and Lexus TX interior come equipped with synthetic leather upholstery and power-adjustable front seats in their base trims. You’ll notice the luxury status of the Lexus TX, thanks to the slide-assist button on the shoulder of the second-row seats, which allows you to move them forward and backward for ease of access to the third row.
Infotainment and Safety Tech
The standard infotainment system in the Lexus TX has some additional features that set it apart from the Grand Highlander, which you’d expect when comparing a luxury vehicle with a standard one. However, you may find what the Grand Highlander has to offer to be more than adequate for you. For example, the Lexus TX boasts a 14-inch touch screen and a 7-inch digital gauge cluster, whereas the Grand Highlander makes do with a 12.3-inch touch screen. Both vehicles come equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, and wireless device charging.
The only upgrade offered in the Grand Highlander is an 11-speaker stereo to replace the standard six-speaker unit. The Lexus TX offers an optional 21-speaker stereo, a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
The safety features are very similar. Both vehicles have forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian detection. For highway driving, you can benefit from lane departure warning and lane-keep assist. Other standard features include automatic high-beam headlights, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition.
Trims
There are three trims offered in the Grand Highlander: the XLE, Limited, and Platinum. Highlights in the base trim include heated front seats, second-row sunshades, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Stepping up to the Limited trim gets you genuine leather seats, heated second-row seats, and memory settings for the driver seat. The range-topping Platinum includes ventilated front- and second-row seats, a head-up display, and a surround-view parking camera. The first two trims come with standard front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive (AWD) is available. The top trim has standard AWD.
The Lexus TX also has three trims: the 350, 350 Premium, and 350 Luxury. The base trim features keyless entry, ambient interior lighting, and automatic multizone climate control. Stepping up to the 350 Premium adds power-folding rear seats, a moonroof, and ventilated seats. The top-of-the-line 350 Luxury features genuine leather upholstery and heated second-row seats.
It’s worth noting that both the Grand Highlander and Lexus TX are offered in hybrid configurations if you put a priority on fuel efficiency and lower carbon emissions. These hybrids do not include an all-electric driving range. Instead, they use an electric motor alongside a gas-powered engine to improve fuel economy.
Get Your New 2024 Grand Highlander at Longo Toyota of Prosper
As you can see, the Grand Highlander does a good job at going toe-to-toe with the luxury Lexus TX. If you feel that you can do without the added technology and comfort that comes with the TX, the Grand Highlander is a three-row SUV with lots to offer on a relatively affordable budget. It includes a sturdy powertrain, upscale cabin with synthetic leather seats, and plenty of infotainment options. If you’d like to test-drive a Grand Highlander in Prosper, don’t hesitate to contact our team.
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