2024 Lexus TX vs 2025 INFINITI QX80

The 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander, yet it distinguished itself as a luxury SUV. It presented an upscale appearance, contrasting with the Grand Highlander's resemblance to a larger RAV4. The test model, adorned with Luxury trim, featured striking 22-inch silver-finished wheels, an expensive option that significantly enhanced the SUV's aesthetic and presence. The TX's styling was more subdued compared to other Lexus models, resulting in a conservative, almost anonymous look. This design approach might have appealed to those previously put off by Lexus's bolder designs. The TX was available in TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid models, with prices ranging from $55,050 to $69,350, including a $1,350 destination charge. The TX 350, likely the most popular version, came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and offered both FWD and AWD options. The test vehicle, equipped with FWD and Luxury trim, had a base price of $60,950, which increased to $67,869 with additional packages and features. The interior, though dark with its Peppercorn color scheme, felt luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 underwent its first redesign since 2017, growing slightly in length and width while maintaining its height. It retained its body-on-frame architecture, with a new frame enhancing torsional and lateral stiffness by 25% and 57%, respectively. The QX80's styling became more expressive, particularly at the front, with a large grille extending onto the hood and a distinctive stacked-headlight setup. Other updates included full-width LED taillights, blacked-out roof pillar trim, and flush door handles for a cleaner profile. The QX80 was available in Pure, Luxe, Sensory, and Autobiography trims, with 20-inch wheels standard on the base model and 22-inch wheels on higher trims. The interior received a high-tech makeover, featuring a large horizontal display and 64-color ambient lighting. Despite the shiny black plastic trim, the cabin offered a luxurious feel, with leatherette upholstery standard on Pure models and semi-aniline leather available on higher trims. The QX80's cabin was expansive, with a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, making it a strong contender in the full-size luxury SUV segment.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Despite initial skepticism about its suitability for a midsize, three-row luxury SUV, the engine performed adequately in typical driving situations with up to four passengers. Lexus claimed the TX 350 could accelerate to 60 mph in eight seconds (7.8 seconds with AWD), though it felt quicker due to the torque swell. The EPA rated the TX 350 FWD at 23 mpg in combined driving, a slight improvement over the previous RX L model. During testing, the TX 350 FWD averaged 20.4 mpg. AWD, available for an additional $1,600, offered slightly quicker acceleration and improved traction in adverse conditions. The TX 350's suspension provided a balanced ride, firm enough to convey road surface details while ensuring comfort. The steering was accurate, and the interior remained quiet on highways. The brake pedal, though soft, was easy to modulate for smooth stops.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured a new twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine, replacing the previous 5.6-liter V8. The V6 delivered 450 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, surpassing the V8's 400 hp and 413 lb-ft. A nine-speed automatic transmission replaced the old seven-speed, with RWD standard and 4WD optional. The additional power and gears made the QX80 feel more energetic, though the active sound enhancement added an artificial noise during acceleration. The QX80's suspension varied by trim, with steel-sprung suspension on Pure models and air suspension with adaptive damping on higher trims. The air suspension adjusted damper firmness in real-time and could raise or lower ride height, offering an off-road setting with 10 inches of ground clearance. Despite its efforts, the suspension couldn't completely smooth out bumps, and the QX80's handling was average for its size. The reinforced frame didn't provide the solidity of unibody vehicles, but the QX80's performance was typical for large body-on-frame SUVs.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. Unlike the off-road-focused GX and LX, or the cramped RX L, the TX offered a more balanced approach. The TX 350 Luxury model featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The standard second-row bench seat could be replaced with heated and ventilated captain's chairs. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they were comfortable and easy to adjust. The second-row seat, though not as welcoming, offered triple-zone climate control, USB ports, and manual side window shades. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, with a stadium-style cushion providing leg support and large side windows offering a good view. However, sliding the second-row seat forward to accommodate third-row passengers compromised second-row comfort. The TX offered 20.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded and 97 cubic feet with both rows down. Storage options were plentiful but lacked lining, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80's redesign increased cargo space by 6%, 17%, and 28% behind the first, second, and third rows, respectively. This resulted in 22 cubic feet with all rows in place, 59 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 101 cubic feet with both rows down, surpassing competitors like the Lexus LX and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. The QX80 featured a power liftgate and power-folding second- and third-row seats, with controls in the cargo area, on the infotainment screens, and on the seats themselves. Passenger space was generous, with increased legroom in the first and third rows. The third row was particularly comfortable, with ample side glass, cupholders, and USB ports. Heated, ventilated, and massaging front and second-row seats were available, along with a heated third row. The QX80 boasted a maximum towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, outperforming most full-size luxury SUVs, though the Lincoln Navigator could tow slightly more.

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 well-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, was user-friendly, especially with the complimentary three-year Drive Connect subscription, offering cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were included, along with 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system provided impressive audio quality.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80 featured dual 14.3-inch screens, one for the instrument cluster and the other for infotainment, with a smaller 9-inch touchscreen handling climate control. Google built-in apps, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and the Google Play Store, were integrated, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto remained available. The dual-screen setup, while visually impressive, had graphics reminiscent of Nissan vehicles, and the lower touchscreen required firm presses, which could be distracting. All QX80 models had Klipsch sound systems, with 14 speakers on Pure and Luxe models and 24 speakers on Sensory and Autograph models, featuring Individual Audio tech for personalized sound experiences. The QX80 offered a 360-degree camera system with eight viewing angles, a 170-degree front wide view, and an Invisible Hood view. A digital rearview camera, dash cam, and in-car camera were also available.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included 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, offered braking and steering assistance but was not entirely transparent in operation. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. Optional features included front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist, which provided hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways. LSS+ 3.0 generally performed smoothly and effectively, though it slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in, causing frustration for following drivers.

The 2025 INFINITI QX80's crash-test ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were unavailable at the time of publication. Standard safety features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and a trailer blind-spot warning system for trailers up to 33 feet long. The QX80 offered Nissan's ProPilot Assist highway-driving assistance system, with the basic 1.1 version combining adaptive cruise control with automated lane centering. The more advanced ProPilot Assist 2.1 version, available on Luxe, Sensory, and Autograph models, allowed for hands-free driving and automated lane changes, though lane changes required driver initiation. While ProPilot Assist was not tested on the QX80, it performed reasonably well in other vehicles.