By: Uday Mohan
June 30, 2026
For 2026, Lexus hasn’t reinvented the TX350, but it has refined it. The powertrain remains the same, the seating layout is unchanged, and the core features carry over. What’s new are the refinements: expanded F SPORT styling options, updated interior material combinations, improved cabin insulation, and subtle software enhancements to the infotainment system. Nothing revolutionary, but enough to make the 2026 model feel more mature and more premium than the outgoing version.
The first thing you notice when you climb into the 2026 Lexus TX350 is just how unapologetically spacious it is. Not “big for a crossover” spacious, but actually spacious, the kind that makes you rethink what you thought a three-row SUV could feel like. Lexus Canada likes to say every seat is the best seat, and for once, this might actually be a valid statement. Even the third row, usually the automotive equivalent of the folding chair at a family gathering, gets power reclining, dedicated fast-charging ports, and plenty of legroom. Watching adults voluntarily sit back there without bargaining for legroom felt like witnessing a small miracle.
The cabin itself is a reminder of what Lexus used to do better than almost anyone: soft-touch everything. Leather, Alcantara, padded surfaces, and plastics that don’t feel like they were sourced from a recycling bin. It’s a retreat more than a cabin, and the Mark Levinson sound system turns it into something even more indulgent. With the added sound insulation for 2026, the music wraps around you like a warm blanket. It’s immersive, rich, and detailed, making every drive an excuse to scroll through old playlists just to rediscover songs you forgot you loved. And yet, despite all that insulation, the engine note sneaks into the cabin more than I expected. Not enough to ruin the serenity, but enough that you’re aware of the 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder working harder than it wants to admit.
Once you start driving, the TX350 reveals a trait that’s more confident than its size suggests. The steering is beautifully weighted, not loose, not vague, but connected in a way that makes you feel like you’re actually driving something engineered, not just something assembled. It’s rare for a three-row SUV to give you that sense of communication through the wheel, and Lexus deserves credit for not letting the TX drift into the “floaty barge” category. The suspension tuning is even more impressive. It’s firm enough to keep you engaged, yet soft enough to make potholes and speed bumps feel like rumours. You glide without disconnecting from the road, and that balance is something most competitors still haven’t figured out.
The infotainment system continues to be one of Lexus’ best decisions. The 14-inch touchscreen is clean, intuitive, and customizable without being overwhelming. It’s the type of user interface that doesn’t make you dig through submenus just to turn on a heated seat. And the real triumph? Physical buttons. Actual, tactile, satisfying buttons for climate, volume, and essential controls. In a world where automakers are replacing everything with haptic panels and touch-sensitive nonsense, Lexus’ commitment to real buttons feels like a small act of rebellion. The fully digital gauge cluster is crisp and straightforward, giving you everything you need without drowning you in animations or gimmicks.
From the outside, the TX350 is handsome, modern, and unmistakably Lexus, although perhaps a little too unmistakably. The design leans heavily on Toyota family cues, especially in the front proportions with the slit in the hood. While the shared DNA makes sense, I found myself wishing Lexus had pushed the distinction a bit further. It looks good, but it doesn’t quite have the visual swagger of past Lexus flagships. It’s refined, but not iconic.
After a week with the TX350, it became clear what Lexus is aiming for. This isn’t a performance SUV pretending to be athletic. It’s not chasing anything or trying to convince you it’s something it isn’t. Instead, it focuses on the things that actually matter to families: space, comfort, quietness, usability, and a driving experience that doesn’t feel like a compromise. It’s a sanctuary on wheels, a place where the chaos of daily life gets dialed down a few notches.
If Lexus can further reduce the engine noise intrusion and give the exterior a bit more visual distinction, the TX350 could easily become the benchmark for three-row luxury SUVs in Canada. For now, it’s already one of the most well-rounded, thoughtfully engineered options in the segment, a vehicle that understands real life and makes it feel just a little more manageable.
Vehicle Specs
Segment: Mid-Size Luxury SUV
Powertrain: 2.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine
Horsepower: 275 horsepower
Torque: 317 lb-ft. of torque
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
NRCan Fuel Economy: 12.2L/100km city, 9.4L/100km highway, 10.9L/100km combined
Observed Fuel Economy: 10.3L/100km
Price as Tested: $84,213.92 CAD before taxes and fees