2024 Lexus TX vs 2023 Subaru Forester

The 2023 Subaru Forester, despite its familiar and somewhat unremarkable exterior, offered a practical and functional design that appealed to those who valued utility over aesthetics. Its Cascade Green Silica paint was a nod to the many green Foresters that have graced the roads over the years. The Premier trim, which was the focus of our evaluation, featured 18-inch alloy wheels and satin chrome exterior trim, adding a touch of sophistication to its otherwise utilitarian appearance. Inside, the Forester Premier boasted exclusive brown leather and metallic accents, maintaining a traditional Subaru design with analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen. The interior was practical, with hard plastics that made cleaning easy, and a control layout that relied on buttons and knobs for ease of use.

In contrast, the 2024 Lexus TX was based on the Toyota Grand Highlander but distinguished itself as a luxury SUV with its upscale appearance. The TX's styling was more conservative than other Lexus models, which might have appealed to those who found previous designs too bold. Our test model, equipped with the TX 350 Executive package, featured striking 22-inch wheels that enhanced its presence. The TX 350 came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, offering a balance of performance and luxury. Inside, the TX 350's cabin was luxurious, with premium semi-aniline leather upholstery and a dark Peppercorn interior. However, the interior felt a bit too dark, even with the panoramic glass sunroof, and lacked some expected features like a massage function for the front seats.

The 2023 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque. It utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT) with eight programmed ratios, providing a more traditional automatic feel. The Forester's SI-Drive system offered a Sport mode for enhanced responsiveness, while the X-Mode off-road traction control system included settings for Deep Snow and Mud in higher trims. During testing, the Forester Premier demonstrated its capability in adverse weather conditions, handling flooded roads and muddy trails with confidence. Despite its adequate power, the Forester's engine was louder than expected, but its excellent driving dynamics, including light and accurate steering and effective brakes, made for an engaging driving experience. The Forester returned a fuel economy of 9.1 L/100 km, slightly below its official rating.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 featured a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Lexus claimed it could accelerate to 100 km/h in about eight seconds, though it felt quicker due to its torque delivery. The TX 350's fuel economy was rated at 10.3 L/100 km, but during testing, it averaged 13.8 L/100 km. The TX 350's suspension provided a comfortable ride with commendable body motion control, and the steering was accurate and responsive. However, the brake pedal felt too soft, though it was easy to modulate for smooth stops. Overall, the TX 350 offered adequate performance for typical driving situations, but its engine note was somewhat grating.

The 2023 Subaru Forester prioritized function over form, offering a practical and straightforward design. It provided excellent outward visibility, thanks to its tall glass and thin windshield pillars, making it easy to drive and park. The Forester's interior featured a panoramic glass sunroof, power-adjustable front seats, and heated front seats as standard. Higher trims offered leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control. The Forester's cargo space was generous, with 762 litres behind the rear seats and up to 1,957 litres with the seats folded. However, the rear seats lacked comfort for taller adults, and the panoramic sunroof allowed excessive solar heating.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs, offering a more spacious and comfortable interior. The TX 350 featured premium leather and artificial suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard. The second-row seats were less comfortable due to their flat lower cushion, but the third-row seats were surprisingly accommodating for adults. The TX provided 572 litres of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 1,625 litres with the seats folded. The TX's interior offered numerous storage options, though some lacked lining, potentially causing noise and vibration.

The 2023 Subaru Forester's technology appeared outdated at first glance, but its simplicity was appealing. The Base trim featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen with navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Forester's user interface was straightforward, with separate climate controls and easy-to-use knobs and buttons. However, the voice-recognition system was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better choice for navigation and voice commands.

The 2024 Lexus TX boasted a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display. The Executive packages added a head-up display, surround-view camera, and semi-autonomous parking assist. However, the head-up display's unmarked steering wheel controls were frustrating, especially for those wearing polarized sunglasses. The Lexus Interface infotainment system offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a Drive Connect subscription providing cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant with natural voice recognition. The TX also included a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, delivering impressive sound quality.

The 2023 Subaru Forester featured the next-generation EyeSight system, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, along with Automatic Emergency Steering. The Forester's safety systems performed well, though the Rear Automatic Braking system was overly sensitive. The Forester earned a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS and five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2024 Lexus TX came equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Proactive Drive Assist provided additional braking and steering assistance, though it was not entirely transparent. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. The Executive packages added front and rear parking sensors, front cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist. Overall, the TX's safety systems were smooth and effective, though the SUV slowed too dramatically when other vehicles cut in front.