2024 Lexus TX vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a notable facelift, presenting a more aggressive appearance with its redesigned front end. This included new LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding, giving the impression of large air intakes. The addition of a jutting simulated skid plate, oversized fog light housings, and asymmetrical wheel arch trim reminiscent of the Wilderness model further enhanced its bold look. While these changes might not appeal to everyone, opting for a dark paint color could help tone down the design's excesses. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, offered a more cohesive look, and its availability with the base powertrain made it more accessible at a starting price of $33,495.

Inside, the Touring trim of the Outback impressed with its upscale Java Brown premium Nappa leather upholstery, contrasting beautifully with the black interior. The dashboard and door panels featured light gray contrast stitching, adding to the cohesive and upscale feel. Despite the use of hard plastic in some areas, the interior did not feel cheap, and practical features like flat, textured door sills added utility. However, the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim on the center console were prone to collecting dust and smudges, which was a minor drawback in an otherwise appealing cabin.

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, distinguished itself as a luxury SUV with its upscale appearance. The Luxury trim test model featured striking 22-inch silver-finished wheels, enhancing its presence. The TX's styling was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, which might have appealed to those previously put off by the brand's design. The TX lineup included the TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid models, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350, though the TX 550h+ was not yet available.

The TX 350, likely the volume-selling version, came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offered both FWD and AWD options. Our test vehicle, equipped with FWD and Luxury trim, had a base price of $60,950. It featured a Peppercorn interior, which was a dark brown that appeared almost black, and while the cabin was luxurious, it felt too dark even with the panoramic glass sunroof. Despite this, the TX 350 Luxury model's interior was generally luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design, which helped lower the vehicle's center of gravity and provided a distinctive grumble and vibration. However, the standard 2.5-liter engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, left the 3,781-pound test vehicle feeling underpowered, especially during passing and climbing. The CVT made good use of the engine at lower speeds, but the lack of power was evident on highways. The EPA estimated 28 mpg in combined driving, but real-world testing returned only 25.6 mpg.

For those seeking more power, the Outback XT models offered a turbocharged 2.4-liter flat-four engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque. While the XT models were heavier and less fuel-efficient, they provided a more satisfying driving experience. The CVT in all models was programmed to mimic an eight-speed automatic, and paddle shifters added a sporty touch. The Outback's AWD system and X-Mode traction system enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it adept at handling challenging terrain and snowstorms.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Despite initial concerns about its suitability for a midsize luxury SUV, the engine performed adequately in typical driving situations with up to four passengers. The TX 350 accelerated to 60 mph in eight seconds, and while the performance was adequate, the engine note and torque steer in FWD models were minor irritants. The EPA rated the TX 350 FWD at 23 mpg combined, but testing returned 20.4 mpg.

AWD was available for an additional $1,600, offering slightly quicker acceleration and improved traction in adverse conditions. The TX 350's suspension struck a balance between firmness and comfort, providing a smooth ride and commendable body motion control. The steering was accurate and responsive, and the interior remained quiet on highways. However, the brake pedal in the test vehicle felt too soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a purposeful roof rack, flat door sill trim, and a dashboard storage shelf. The Touring trim offered comfort with a 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and premium Nappa leather upholstery. The rear outboard seats were also heated, making the Outback Touring a cozy choice for cold climates. The vehicle's high ground clearance and height-adjustable front seats made entry and exit easy.

The Outback provided 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 75.6 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The flat, textured door sills served as steps for accessing the roof rack, which was robust and ready for accessories. However, the Outback could benefit from more practical storage space, as the dashboard shelf and center console lacked additional trays or cubbies.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. The TX 350 Luxury featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they were comfortable and easy to adjust. The second-row bench seat was less welcoming due to its flat lower cushion, but it offered triple-zone climate control and manual side window shades.

The TX's third-row seat was habitable for adults, a significant improvement over previous models. Sliding the second-row seat forward slightly provided enough legroom for tall passengers in the third row. The TX offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down, and an impressive 97 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, the second-row legroom was limited, and the storage slots and bins lacked lining, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2023 Subaru Outback, except for the Base trim, featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system with physical controls for volume, tuning, and climate settings. The system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, along with subscription-based Starlink services, including a Wi-Fi hotspot. While the system's usability improved, the graphics and colorful icons were not favored. The voice recognition system was limited, struggling with basic commands and navigation requests.

Additional technologies included a camera-based digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, useful for off-road and parking situations. However, a surround-view camera was not available. The infotainment system's wireless smartphone connectivity reduced clutter, but the native voice recognition system was inadequate, necessitating reliance on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2024 Lexus TX came with an optional Technology Package, featuring a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, a surround-view camera, and a semi-autonomous parking assist system. However, the package replaced marked steering wheel controls with unmarked dual-purpose ones, requiring drivers to reference the head-up display, which was often invisible with polarized sunglasses.

The Lexus Interface infotainment system, with its 14-inch touchscreen display, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a cloud-based navigation system and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. The TX also provided free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, along with Wi-Fi Connect and Remote Connect features. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The system's new cameras and electronic brake booster supported pedestrian, cyclist, and automatic steering functions. The Outback earned top safety ratings from the IIHS, including in the new side-impact crash test.

The EyeSight system offered additional features like Automatic Emergency Steering and a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems felt artificial, and the rear automatic braking system was incompatible with some driveways. The Outback's safety features were effective but could benefit from more natural operation.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, intersection assist, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, road sign assist, and automatic high-beam headlights. Proactive Drive Assist added braking and steering assistance but was not transparent in operation.

Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. The traffic jam assist system provided hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways, but a higher-speed hands-free system was not available. LSS+ 3.0 was generally smooth and effective, though it slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in.