2024 Lexus TX vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Lexus TX, based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, managed to carve a distinctly upscale identity, convincingly serving as a luxury SUV. Unlike the Grand Highlander, which resembled a beefed-up RAV4, the Lexus TX exuded an upscale aura. The test model, adorned with the Luxury trim, featured striking 22-inch wheels in a sophisticated silver finish, a pricey option that markedly enhanced the SUV’s overall presence and attractiveness.

The styling of the TX was notably more conservative than other Lexus models, almost bordering on anonymity. If previous Lexus designs happened to be a turn-off, the TX might have been just the right fit with its subdued elegance. The 2024 Lexus TX was available in three distinct series: TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid. Prices ranged from $55,050 to $69,350, but the TX 550h+ hadn’t hit the market yet, and speculations suggested it might start at over $75,000. These prices included a $1,350 destination charge.

For the test drive, the TX 350 was chosen, likely the most popular version due to its broad appeal. The TX 350 offered a base level of specifications with options for Premium or Luxury trim, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and choices between front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD).

The tested model had FWD and Luxury trim, starting at a base price of $60,950, including the destination charge. Additional features included a Convenience Package, a Technology Package, a 21-speaker surround-sound audio system, side puddle lamps, and rear cargo lamps, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) to $67,869, inclusive of destination.

Luxury trim enhanced the interior with upgraded ambient lighting and premium semi-aniline leather upholstery featuring artificial suede trim. The Peppercorn interior, a dark brown nearly indistinguishable from black, paired with black-grained trim, made the cabin feel altogether too dark, even with the panoramic glass sunroof. However, in most respects, the TX 350 Luxury model’s interior exuded enough luxury to proudly wear the Lexus badge.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe departed from previous Hyundai styling cues, opting for a completely different aesthetic. This new Santa Fe didn’t give the same futuristic, sleek vibe as the Ioniq series, moving instead to a boxier, more utilitarian design. Hyundai’s design chief, SangYup Lee, emphasized that while a boxy shape was optimal for storage capacity, the team strove to make this box both elegant and premium-looking.

With a more aerodynamic efficiency than its predecessor, the Santa Fe managed to look upscale and turn heads. Elegant exterior colors, including several matte options, and anodized-finish badging borrowed from the Ioniq 6 added to its sophisticated appearance. The XRT trim featured a combination of dark chrome and black cladding. Most trims came with 18-inch alloy wheels, but the higher-end Limited and Hybrid Calligraphy versions sported 20-inch wheels, while the gas-only Calligraphy versions had 21-inch wheels.

Inside, premium styling was evident. The test drive included the all-terrain XRT and loaded Calligraphy trims. The Calligraphy trim showed few faults, although some less visible surfaces like door panels were made of harder materials. Softly padded armrests and windowsills balanced these areas, and the headliner fabric felt decadent enough to be likened to a luxurious winter scarf and hat.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, which, despite initial skepticism, performed adequately for typical driving situations with up to four passengers. The engine produced 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, capable of accelerating the TX 350 to 60 mph in eight seconds (7.8 seconds with AWD). The SUV felt quicker than its numbers suggested due to a substantial torque swell as speed increased. However, despite its swiftness, its performance could only be described as adequate.

Official fuel economy ratings for the TX 350 FWD were 23 mpg in combined driving, a barely noticeable improvement over the old three-row Lexus RX L's 22 mpg. Nevertheless, the TX 350 FWD averaged 20.4 mpg during testing. Adding AWD, which cost $1,600, offered slightly quicker acceleration but reduced city and highway fuel economy numbers while retaining the 23-mpg combined rating. More importantly, AWD added traction in rain and snow and limited the tendency of the FWD model to spin its wheels under quick acceleration.

The ride and handling struck the right balance. The suspension was firm enough to provide road surface feedback while remaining compliant enough for a comfortable ride. Steering was accurate, with proper weighting and responsiveness, ensuring quiet highway driving. However, the brake pedal on the test car felt soft but was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe’s base powertrain included a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The standard setup was FWD with optional AWD, except for the XRT trim, which had standard AWD. Driving modes included Normal, Sport, and Snow, with Sport mode adjusting throttle response and steering for a more spirited drive. The XRT further included off-road modes and settings.

Later in the model year, the Santa Fe would also offer a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering an estimated combined 231 hp and 271 lb-ft of torque.

The fuel economy for FWD base versions of the Santa Fe was EPA-rated at 20 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. With AWD, these numbers dropped to 20/28/23, and the XRT model managed 19/26/22 due to its additional ground clearance and larger all-terrain tires. The Santa Fe Hybrid offered better efficiency, with 36 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 36 mpg combined with FWD, and 35/34/34 with AWD.

The XRT model benefitted from nearly 1.5 inches of extra ground clearance and 30-inch all-terrain tires, allowing it a towing capacity of 4,500 pounds, thanks to enhanced cooling with a bigger fan and more air inlets. While on-road, the Santa Fe Calligraphy showcased classic Hyundai driving dynamics, smooth and stable, with well-executed acceleration, throttle response, and shifting. However, notable body roll through turns might make passengers slide somewhat in their seats, marking the only downside.

The off-road capabilities of the Santa Fe XRT were comparable to SUVs like the Kia Telluride X-Pro and Subaru Forester Wilderness trims. It performed well on off-road trails, easily handling trips to remote campsites due to its ground clearance and robust tires. Off-road settings were straightforward to access, and the hill-descent-control feature provided confidence on steep slopes.

Previous attempts by Lexus to build a compelling three-row SUV had fallen short, such as the RX L, GX, and LX models, each with their own drawbacks. However, the new 2024 Lexus TX addressed these issues. The TX 350 Luxury trim included premium leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, and a heated steering wheel. Although the test vehicle came with a standard second-row bench seat, heated and ventilated captain’s chairs were available.

Front seats lacked a massage function, notable for a luxury SUV, though they were comfortable. Finding a supportive driving position was straightforward, facilitated by a power tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel. Second-row seating, with a relatively flat lower cushion, was less welcoming but featured triple-zone automatic climate control, dual USB charging ports, and manual side window shades meeting segment expectations.

The third-row seat accommodated adults, unlike the cramped RX L, GX, or the costly LX. Adjusting the second-row seat forward by an inch or two allowed taller passengers to sit comfortably in the third row. The stadium-style bottom cushion provided leg support, and the large side windows offered a decent view. However, this adjustment compromised the second-row legroom, negatively impacting passenger comfort.

The TX included ample storage spaces, though many lacked lining, potentially increasing noise and vibration from stored items. The split front center armrest design intended for convenience proved less practical due to its narrow opening.

Cargo space in the Lexus TX was expansive. Behind the third-row seat, there was 20.2 cubic feet of space. With these seats folded, cargo space widened to 57.4 cubic feet, enough for a long road trip. Folding the second row down revealed an impressive 97 cubic feet of cargo space, more than any other Lexus SUV.

Turning our attention to the Hyundai Santa Fe, this model featured a longer wheelbase and body compared to its predecessor, optimizing for cargo space inspired by the “chabak” concept, a blend of car and stay for car camping. The design allowed for a terrace-like cargo area with wide access via an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage to avoid clutter.

The spacious first and second rows contrasted with the snug third row. Hyundai advised choosing the Palisade for a functional third row. For second-row seating, options included a bench or reclining captain’s chairs, with seating materials ranging from stain-resistant cloth in SE to quilted Nappa leather in Calligraphy. Heated front seats were standard from SEL onward, with ventilation added in Limited and Calligraphy trims. Storage pockets and bottle holders were accessible in all three rows, ensuring a relaxing and organized space.

The cargo area offered 14.6 cubic feet, extending to 40.5 cubic feet with the third row folded and 79.6 cubic feet with the second row down. Roof rails could support up to 220 pounds, and a new grab handle facilitated loading. Limited and Calligraphy trims even introduced a UV sanitization compartment in the glovebox, a feature conceived during the pandemic era, allowing sterilization of small objects.

The 2024 Lexus TX had an optional Technology Package, equipping it with 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, these upgrades weren’t without issues. The dual-purpose steering wheel controls were unmarked, forcing drivers to look at the head-up display—a challenge for those wearing polarized sunglasses.

Nevertheless, the Lexus Interface infotainment system with its 14-inch touchscreen was user-friendly, especially with the complimentary three-year Drive Connect subscription included. This subscription added a cloud-based navigation system and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were seamlessly integrated, alongside 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect for emergency assistance and vehicle diagnostics. Wi-Fi Connect and Remote Connect facilitated a range of digital services, and the 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system offered high-quality audio.

In the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, the centerpiece was a curved panoramic display on XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, sweeping elegantly above the center console. This display included digital real estate without being overwhelming, offering crisp graphics, intuitive menus, and seamless connectivity to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

This system included a 12-speaker Bose stereo, dynamic voice recognition, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and six USB ports in higher trims. The SE and SEL trims had a simpler 12.3-inch touchscreen with four USB ports. Wireless charging was standard from SEL upwards, with Calligraphy even providing dual wireless chargers.

Hyundai’s BlueLink system offered remote vehicle access, acting as a digital key fob from the SEL trim onwards. Hyundai Pay allowed secure transactions at partner vendors, enhancing safety by preventing credit card skimming. Additionally, the Santa Fe featured a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode control.

The 2024 Lexus TX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included advanced driving assistance systems like adaptive cruise control with curve speed adjustment, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, 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, part of LSS+ 3.0, could be activated to maintain safe following distances and provide steering assistance to avoid obstacles. While it generally worked smoothly, uncertainties about brake light illumination led to its deactivation during testing. The TX also featured 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, providing hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not yet undergone crash testing by the IIHS or NHTSA, but Hyundai vehicles typically performed well. Advanced safety features came standard from the base SE trim, including a reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, intersection assist, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, safe-exit assist, lane-keep assist, lane-following assist, driver-attention monitoring, and a rear-occupant reminder system.

The SEL trim added an upgraded rear-occupant reminder system, forward-attention warning, and side mirrors with turn signals. The XRT trim level introduced Hyundai’s highway limited hands-free driving system. The Limited trim included a 360-degree camera system, blind-spot view monitor, rain-sensing wipers, front, rear, and side parking sensors, reverse parking collision assist, remote automatic parking, and a sanitizing glovebox compartment.

The top-tier Calligraphy trim added a widescreen head-up display (HUD) and upgraded collision-avoidance systems. The integrated driver monitoring system, standard across the lineup, utilized infrared cameras and capacitive sensors to track driver alertness and hand placement on the steering wheel, issuing warnings and stopping the vehicle if necessary.