Ford Mustang Mach-E vs Lexus TX

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 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, 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. The interior, though dark with its Peppercorn color scheme, felt luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E, introduced in 2021, retained its distinctive and sharp styling, featuring an aggressive front fascia and the iconic tri-bar tail lights. For 2024, the lamps were refreshed to match the seventh-generation Ford Mustang's signature lighting. The new Rally trim replaced the GT Performance Edition as the top-tier model, boasting unique styling elements like LED fog lamps, a black roof, and Oxford White 19-inch wheels. The GT trim offered 20-inch wheels with various finishes, including a new Bronze Appearance Package. Inside, the Mach-E maintained its minimalist dash with a large touchscreen and Ford Performance front seats, now standard on the GT trim. The Rally trim shared these seats, featuring Oxford White plastic trim for a futuristic look. The Mach-E's interior was familiar yet functional, with a focus on performance-inspired design elements.

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 this engine choice for a midsize, three-row luxury SUV, it 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 its torque delivery. 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. The AWD option, priced at $1,600, offered slightly quicker acceleration and improved traction in adverse conditions. The TX 350's suspension provided a balanced ride, firm enough for road feedback yet compliant for 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 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E's ride was firmer than desired, even on lower trims, with the GT trim maintaining a sports-car-first approach. The MagneRide damping system, standard on the GT, allowed for drive mode adjustments but didn't soften the ride significantly. The steering was sporty, stiff, and tight, appealing to those seeking a performance-oriented experience. The GT Performance Upgrade package, priced at $995, increased torque to 700 lb-ft while maintaining 480 horsepower, achieving a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds. This upgrade could be added later, offering flexibility for buyers. The Mach-E GT and Rally trims featured Ford Performance seats, MagneRide suspension, and Brembo brakes. The Rally trim, with a 1-inch lift and unique suspension tuning, excelled in off-road conditions, as demonstrated at DirtFish Rally School. The Mach-E's range varied by trim, with the base model offering 250 miles and the Premium trim with extended-range battery reaching 320 miles. The GT and Rally trims, with AWD, had ranges of 280 and 265 miles, respectively. Ford improved DC fast-charging times by 20%, with the standard-range battery charging from 10 to 80% in 32 minutes.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. 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 second-row bench seat was standard, with captain's chairs as an option. While the front seats lacked a massage function, they offered a supportive driving position. The second-row seat, though less welcoming, provided triple-zone climate control and USB charging ports. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, a significant improvement over the RX L and GX models. Sliding the second-row seat forward slightly accommodated taller 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 third row folded and 97 cubic feet with the second row down. The interior featured numerous storage compartments, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E's crossover body style excelled in interior space, offering 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a drainable frunk. Folding the rear seats expanded cargo space to 59.7 cubic feet. The driver and front passenger enjoyed 38.9 inches of headroom, increasing to 40.4 inches with the panoramic glass roof. Legroom measured 43.3 inches in the front and 38.1 inches in the rear. The driver's seat was power-adjustable in all trims, with eight-way adjustability for the base trim and 10-way for higher trims. The front passenger seat gained eight-way power-adjustability starting on the Premium trim. ActiveX seating surfaces were standard, with Miko inserts and performance-inspired perforation enhancing the interior. Heated front seats were available on the base trim and standard on others.

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 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 three-year Drive Connect subscription for cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The TX also provided 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, offering features like automatic collision notification and a stolen vehicle locator. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson PurePlay surround-sound system delivered impressive audio quality.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, featuring the latest SYNC 4A infotainment software. The 15.5-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen housed climate and temperature controls, with a single hard control for stereo volume. The Mach-E included Ford's Intelligent Range system, a cloud-based feature that updated range estimates in real-time based on route input, temperature, terrain, traffic, and driving history. This system aimed to alleviate range anxiety for drivers.

The 2024 Lexus TX was 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 but was not entirely transparent in operation. The TX also 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 provided hands-free driving on approved highways, though Lexus did not offer a higher-speed hands-free system.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured BlueCruise 1.3, Ford's hands-free highway-driving assist software, available on all trims with a 90-day trial. The subscription-based nature allowed buyers to try it before committing. The Mach-E also included a 360-degree camera and the Ford CoPilot 360 suite, with features like blind-spot information, pre-collision assist, evasive steering assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. The 2023 Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick Award from the IIHS, with the same ratings extended to the 2024 model. The NHTSA awarded five-star ratings in side crash and rollover testing for all Mach-E model years, including 2024.