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. Its upscale appearance was enhanced by 22-inch silver-finished wheels, particularly in the TX 350 Executive package, which significantly improved its presence. The styling was more conservative compared to other Lexus models, offering a toned-down design that appealed to those who found previous Lexus designs too bold. The TX was available in three model series: TX 350, TX 500h F Sport Performance, and TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid, with prices ranging from $72,036 to $87,486, although the TX 550h+ was not yet available. The TX 350, likely the most popular version, featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive, with options for Ultra Luxury or Executive packages in Canada. The interior, while dark, was luxurious enough to bear the Lexus badge.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was styled to emphasize its sporty nature within the Range Rover family. It stood tall with a shorter wheelbase and chopped top, giving it an athletic look, although it appeared a bit too tall and narrow from certain angles. The lineup included Dynamic SE, Dynamic HSE, Autobiography, and SV Edition Two trims, with the SV Edition Two being the highest-performance model. This model featured 23-inch carbon-fibre wheels and a carbon-fibre hood, making it a sleeper compared to rivals like the BMW X5 M and Porsche Cayenne. The interior boasted red leather upholstery, sport seats with light-up inserts, and illuminated steering-wheel paddle shifters, maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. The high console and dash created a cockpit-like feel, though it could feel cramped. Material quality was high, but the use of reflective piano black plastic was excessive.

The 2024 Lexus TX 350 was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated to 100 km/h in about eight seconds, though it felt quicker due to its torque. The official fuel economy rating was 10.3 litres per 100 kilometres, but during testing, it averaged 13.8 L/100 km. The ride and handling were well-balanced, with a firm yet comfortable suspension and accurate steering. The interior was quiet on the highway, though the brake pedal felt too soft.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered multiple powertrain options, all with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The base Dynamic SE model had a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid version produced 454 hp and 487 lb-ft, while the Autobiography model increased output to 543 hp and 590 lb-ft. The SV Edition Two used a twin-turbo BMW V8 with 626 hp, making it the most powerful Range Rover model. It accelerated to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 290 km/h. The sport-tuned air suspension and four-wheel steering provided agility and a luxurious ride, while the Terrain Response system and air suspension offered off-road capability.

The 2024 Lexus TX addressed previous shortcomings in Lexus's three-row SUVs. It offered premium leather and suede upholstery, with heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The second-row bench seat was comfortable, though lacking a massage function. The third-row seat was habitable for adults, with ample leg support and large windows. Cargo space was generous, with 572 litres behind the third row, 1,625 litres with the third row folded, and 2,746 litres with the second row down. However, second-row legroom was limited, and storage compartments lacked lining.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was a two-row five-seater, offering more room than the Velar but less than the full-size Range Rover. Front-seat headroom was comparable to other midsize luxury SUVs, though legroom was slightly less than competitors like the Acura MDX and Audi Q7. The sloping roof did not significantly impact rear-seat headroom. Cargo space was 835 litres behind the second row and 1,860 litres with the seats folded. The Sport's towing capacity was 3,500 kilograms for turbo-six and V8 models, with plug-in hybrids rated at 3,000 kilograms.

The 2024 Lexus TX featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a digital rearview mirror, with additional options in the Executive packages. The Lexus Interface infotainment system included a 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Drive Connect subscription for cloud-based navigation and a digital assistant. The TX offered free 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect, and a three-year Remote Connect subscription. The optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system provided impressive sound quality.

The 2025 Land Rover Range Rover Sport had a 13.7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 13.1-inch touchscreen for infotainment, with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Pivi Pro infotainment system was responsive, with natural-language voice recognition. The SV Edition Two featured "Body and Soul Seats" with embedded transducers for a unique audio experience. The Meridian audio system offered up to 29 speakers, depending on configuration.

The 2024 Lexus TX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and more. Proactive Drive Assist provided additional braking and steering assistance. The TX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a safe exit assist system. The traffic jam assist system offered 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, and more. A 360-degree camera system and digital rearview mirror aided parking, though parking sensors were overly sensitive. Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA were not available at the time of writing.