2024 Lexus TX vs 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

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, featuring Luxury trim, boasted 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 look that might appeal 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, including a $1,350 destination charge. The TX 350, likely the volume-selling version, offered a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with FWD or AWD. The test vehicle, equipped with FWD and Luxury trim, had a base price of $60,950, including destination, and featured a Convenience Package, Technology Package, and a 21-speaker surround-sound audio system, bringing the MSRP to $67,869. The interior, though dark with its Peppercorn color scheme, felt luxurious enough for a Lexus badge.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport emphasized a sportier SUV image within the Range Rover family. It stood taller than most vehicles on the road, yet its shorter wheelbase and chopped top lent it a more athletic appearance than the traditional Range Rover. Large front air intakes and fake vents on the hood and fenders contributed to its sporty look, though from some angles, it appeared too tall and narrow. The 2025 lineup included SE, Dynamic SE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with a Stealth appearance package available for the Dynamic SE. The test car, an SV Edition 2, was the highest-performance model, featuring 23-inch carbon-fiber wheels and a carbon-fiber hood. Despite its subtle exterior, the interior was adorned with red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up "SV" inserts, and illuminated steering-wheel paddle shifters. The minimalist aesthetic was consistent across all models, with only a touchscreen, stubby shifter, and engine start button interrupting the smooth dashboard and center console. The high console, dash, and door panels created a cockpit-like feel, aligning with the SUV's sporty mission, though it made the front seats feel cramped for a vehicle of its size.

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 for 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 balance between firmness and comfort, with commendable body motion control and accurate steering. The interior remained quiet on the highway, though the brake pedal felt too soft in the test car.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard 4WD. The base SE model featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six with 355 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Dynamic SE offered a higher output of 395 hp and 406 lb-ft, along with a six-cylinder plug-in hybrid powertrain rated at 454 hp and 487 lb-ft. The Autobiography trim increased the plug-in hybrid's output to 543 hp and 590 lb-ft, and also offered a BMW-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 producing 523 hp and 553 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two used the same V8, but with output pushed to 626 hp, making it the most powerful production Range Rover model. Land Rover claimed a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph for the SV Edition Two. The Range Rover Sport's sport-tuned air suspension allowed it to handle corners as well as its German competitors, while maintaining a luxurious ride at normal speeds. The Terrain Response system, hill descent control, and ascent control were standard across all models, with the Autobiography trim offering a two-speed transfer case for off-roading.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUV offerings. The TX 350 Luxury model featured premium semi-aniline leather and artificial suede upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row 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 provided a supportive driving position. The second-row seat, though comfortable, had a relatively flat lower cushion. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, offering better leg support and visibility than previous Lexus models. Cargo space measured 20.2 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 57.4 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 97 cubic feet with the second row down. The TX featured numerous storage slots, though many lacked lining, potentially contributing to noise and vibration.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, positioned between the Velar and full-size Range Rover, offered a two-row, five-seater configuration. Front-seat occupants found similar headroom to other midsize luxury SUVs, though the Acura MDX and Audi Q7 offered more legroom. The sloping roof did not significantly impact rear-seat headroom, and reclining rear seats were standard. The Range Rover Sport provided 31.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, expanding to 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While it lacked a split tailgate, power operation and an "access height" setting for the air suspension facilitated loading and unloading. The Range Rover Sport's maximum towing capacity was 7,716 pounds for turbo-six and V8 models, and 6,614 pounds for plug-in hybrids, surpassing several competitors.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured an optional Technology Package, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, head-up display, digital rearview mirror, surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, the package replaced properly 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 a 14-inch touchscreen, offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a complimentary three-year Drive Connect subscription for cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The TX also provided free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, and optional Wi-Fi Connect and Remote Connect features. The test vehicle's 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport shared its screen setup with the larger Range Rover, featuring a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The minimalist design left few options beyond the touchscreen, requiring widgets for climate control and drive mode selection. Steering-wheel controls offered limited functions, but the Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition 2 test car included "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers, providing a unique, albeit slightly tacky, experience. The standard Meridian audio system offered up to 29 speakers, depending on configuration.

The 2024 Lexus TX came equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, 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, though it 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, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist, which provided hands-free driving at low speeds on approved highways.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport included standard driver-assist features such as automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though the parking sensors were overly sensitive. The IIHS and NHTSA had not released safety ratings for the current-generation Range Rover Sport at the time of publication.