Both Toyota and their luxury division, Lexus, have long offered very comprehensive lineups of SUV’s. But if there was one weak area, it was that none of them offered particularly large third rows and cargo areas compared to the completion. Well, that has now changed with the introduction of the all-new Toyota Grand Highlander and the related Lexus TX, which are both very large. But now we need to know, who is the true winner in the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs. 2024 Lexus TX battle? That’s the question we’re going to answer today!
Pricing and Equipment
Now like always, let’s quickly establish the pricing and trim levels right from the start. For the Grand Highlander, we have the fully loaded Platinum Hybrid Max trim, which comes in at a pretty-luxurious price of just under $60,000.
GH Platinum Hybrid Max AWD: $58,125 | Options: +$0 | Destination: $1,335 | Total: $59,460
But, as you would expect, the prestige of Lexus will demand a higher price tag. In order to get the equivalent features to the Grand Highlander, you will need to pick the TX Luxury trim, which is offered in the 350 configuration. After adding a few more options, we arrive at a price tag of $67,239.
Lexus TX 350 Luxury AWD: $62,550 | Options: +$3,339 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $67,239
By the way, if you want quotes from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that. Check the link in the description for more info, but as far as this comparison, it will be conducted in an objective way.
We have done our best to weigh the points awarded throughout in major and minor categories, but at the end of the comparison we will sum up with our thoughts and revisit the large price difference for a value assessment. With that being said, let’s get into this comparison!
Exterior Design
Starting here with the exteriors, it should be pretty obvious that this is not an exercise in badge engineering, and only well-informed people such as yourself will know that they are related. The Toyota goes for the tougher and boxier design, inspired by the RAV4 and 4Runner. The TX debuts a new front-end design for Lexus, with what they call a Unified Spindle grille and LED headlights that deviate from the normal triple-beam design on their other models. All lighting elements are LED on both, including LED fog lamps below.
Moving to the side, styling differences mean that the TX is slightly longer than the GH, but the big story is that both of them are very large and offer the most interior space in their respective lineups. We will get to that later in this comparison, but as far as visual elements, we have 20-inch alloy wheels on both.
Length: 203.2-inches (TX) | 201.4-inches (Grand Highlander)
The TX has a floating roof effect as we move around to the back, and as far as the rear, this is the most similar view. Both have small upper spoilers, exposed wipers and fully-LED tail lamp clusters. The TX has more painted surfaces on the bumper and the Grand Highlander has exposed exhaust outlets.
Additional Features
Now checking out some of the individual features, both of their mirrors have heating, blind spot monitoring, and power-folding. The only difference is that only the Lexus includes auto-dimming.
Safety is very important, so in addition to BSM, both also include the latest active safety features. Beyond safety, both also include convenience features, such as the new Traffic Jam assist function for hand-free driving under 25 MPH, and remote smart parking via your smartphone on the Lexus.
GH: Warranties: Basic Warranty: 3yr/36k mi | Powertrain: 5yr/60k mi | Complimentary Maintenance: 2yr/24k mi
TX: Warranties: Basic Warranty: 4yr/50k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Complimentary Maintenance: 2 visits
Towing-wise, both models can handle up to 5,000 lbs, and warranty-wise, the Lexus is covering things for a longer term.
Towing (max): Grand Highlander: 5,000 lbs | TX: 5,000 lbs
But the luxury and comfort of the cabins are of far more importance than the exteriors, so let’s to that.
Interior Design
As we walk toward the interiors, both models have smart entry as you would expect, plus the newest digital key system for using phone-as-key. One interesting thing about the TX is that it has electronic door handles, so the handle itself won’t move when you grab it.
Once we open the doors, we are greeted with cabins that look premium and also functional. As you probably expect, the Lexus is the one that has the premium advantages, since its seats are covered in supple semi-analine leather vs. a leather a suede combo in the Toyota, and its seats are also 14-way power adjusting instead of 10-ways.
Regardless though, both of them have heating, ventilation and memory.
Once we fully climb inside, we can get into the overall material quality. Grand Highlander offers a somewhat premium environment but doesn’t have a lot of fluff, using a mixture of hard and soft-touch plastics, as well as faux carbon fiber trim to accent. TX elevates beyond that with a good deal more padded surfaces, leather trim and Alcantara accents. Even though we wish it used more than just a super-tiny wood accent, the materials definitely exceed the GH.
After startup, you’ll see 12.3 digital gauge clusters on both, with slightly different graphics. Both also have large head up displays, although the TX’s allows for a lot more functions to be controlled through it.
Moving back to the heated steering wheels, we have totally different designs, and the Lexus has power adjustment.
Storage and Technology
Now let’s talk about overall interior storage, which is a huge area that the Grand Highlander excels in. Don’t get me wrong, the TX is also very versatile with its removable cupholders, but the Grand Highlander simply delivers more, with a massive center console, large front bin and even a passenger-side storage shelf.
One of the rare things that’s the same are the electronic shifters. Both also have 360-degree camera systems when in reverse.
3-zone climate control systems are on board, but the Toyota’s are easier to use since they are all physical knobs and buttons.
And speaking of controls, that now that brings us to the volume knobs, so let’s give the audio systems a sample. As you might expect, the ML is going to be far ahead of the JBL and has nearly twice the speakers.
TX: 21-speaker Mark Levinson Pure Play audio
GH: 11-speaker, JBL Premium Sound System
Now let’s take a look at the screens. Both of them have large ones but the Lexus has the larger one, at 14-inches vs. 12.3-inches.
But size aside they have the newest Toyota infotainment system, with navigation and wireless AA and ACP.
Last but certainly not least for the front of the interiors, both models have digital camera rearview mirrors and large panoramic sunroofs.
Rear Seats and Cargo
But now let’s move into the rear spaces because this is probably the reason you are interested in SUV’s of this size. The two of them become a lot more similar in these areas, starting with leg and headroom measurements which are identical and quite spacious.
- Grand Highlander: Legroom: 39.5-inches | Headroom: 38.5-inches
- TX: Legroom: 39.5-inch | Headroom: 38.5-inch
The features list is also largely the same. There are rear climate controls, vents, 2 USB ports, sunshades, and heated rear seats.
There are some differences though that will come down to your personal preference. As you can see, the GH has captain’s chairs, and the TX has bench seating. On Platinum models, the Toyota is locked into captain’s chairs, while the 350 Lexus models all start out with bench seating and have the additional option of adding captain’s chairs. We will give the Lexus a half point for giving people the choice, BUT the Grand Highlander comes standard with one feature that’s attached to those captain’s chairs: ventilated rear seats.
Furthermore, the Toyota includes a household power outlet back here, which requires the F-Sport TX, and has a removeable center console.
Let’s head to the next row of seats. Again, we have the same space figures, which are extremely impressive. Compared to both models’ rivals, they are offering more space and comfort than pretty much anything else.
Speaking of comfort, the TX has opted to go for two wider 3rd row seats instead of 3 smaller ones in the GH. Whether or not that’s a good tradeoff will be determined entirely by how many bodies you need to move around.
Lastly, both have rear vents, USB ports and reclining abilities.
- Both: Legroom: 33.5-in | Headroom: 37.2-in
Now moving out back, we see a repeat from the 2nd and third rows in terms of space. Space in the TX is exactly one Stanley cup less than the Grand Highlander, also known as a half cubic foot, and a completely negligible difference. Guys, these are huge numbers that dwarf most of the competition no matter if we are talking luxury or mainstream segments.
The main thing that’s going to set the TX apart from the GH is the power-folding third row, which is something Toyota is not offering. Both have spare tires but only the Grand Highlander has a 1500-watt outlet in the back, as equipped.
Grand Highlander: Behind 3rd row: 20.6 cu.ft | Behind 2nd row: 57.9 cu.ft | MAX: 97.5 cu.ft
TX: Behind 3rd Row: 20.2-cu.ft | 2nd Row: 57.4-cu.ft | MAX: 97.0-cu.ft
Alright, that’s it for the interiors, so now let’s take this close fight to the streets!
Powertrain
While the Toyota and Lexus largely share their powertrain lineups, the pricing discrepancy makes a big difference in what you can get. As mentioned at the beginning, for under $60,000, we have the Hybrid Max Grand Highlander, meaning we have a powerful and efficient hybrid system. That same powertrain is also available on the TX, but to get it you have to choose the 500h F-Sport Performance model, which starts at $70,000. To get full luxury features, you’d be looking at about $78,000, which is a long way of explaining why we are using the TX 350 in this comparison. With its 275hp 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, it will be lagging behind the Hybrid Max GH with its 362 hp.
- Grand Highlander: 2.4L Turbo I-4 + Electric: 362 hp | 400 lb.ft
- 0-60: 6.3s
- TX 350: 2.4L Turbo I-4: 275 hp | 317 lb.ft
- 0-60: 7.8s
As far as the other elements, torque and packaging requirements mean that the Grand Highlander Hybrid Max is rocking an old school 6-speed automatic transmission, compared to an 8-speed automatic in the Sequoia. While the 6 is still smooth, the TX’s transmission is quicker and has more gears to choose from.
Driving Impressions and fuel economy
But it’s not all about speed since comfort is more important for family crossovers. In this regard both absolutely nail the ride quality, with extremely plush rides that isolate out all but the largest potholes.
As you would expect, that does mean the suspensions are fairly soft when cornering. However, the TX has the Lexus Driving Signature meaning that its steering is more direct and body roll is more controlled vs. the Grand Highlander.
In addition to having comfy rides, let’s talk about the noise levels in the cabins. Even as impressive as the Grand Highlander is, at 55 dB, the Lexus steps things up, or should I say down, significantly. It achieved 53.7 dB at 55 MPH, and greater than 1 dB difference is noticeable to the average adult.
Grand Highlander: 55.0 dB @ 55 MPH
TX Luxury: 53.7 dB @ 55 MPH
And lastly, for fuel economy, this is one of the coolest things about the Hybrid Max set up. Despite making big power, it still gets great fuel economy, beating the TX by 4 MPG combined.
Additionally, the Lexus is asking for premium fuel while the Toyota is fine with regular.
- GH H-M AWD: 26/27/27 MPG
- TX 350 AWD: 20/26/23 MPG
More Features, but worth the price?
So, that was one tight race! This was an exciting battle of the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs. 2024 Lexus TX, so let’s summarize why “you” should pick each one. Your winner should be…
TX:
- You want the high-end luxury touches
- Excellent audio system
- Quieter and better ride/handling balance
- Lexus prestige
GH:
- Hybrid max powertrain for the price of the regular turbo on the Lexus
- MUCH less expensive for same space
- Tougher, more macho design
- Up to 8 passenger seating vs. 7-passenger seating
Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!
Anyway, thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison, and be sure to watch the video below for a full visual comparison.
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