2026 Lexus TX vs Toyota Grand Highlander: Still Worth the Extra Money?
While the 2026 Lexus TX and Toyota Grand Highlander share a lot in common, there is a rather large price gap to justify.
The Lexus TX and Toyota Grand Highlander just debuted for the 2024 model year as new entries into the ultra-popular three-row SUV space in the U.S., and both have proven to be quite popular since then. However, as will always be the case with badge-engineered cousins (twins?), many will undoubtedly be asking themselves – is it worth spending the extra money to get the more luxurious TX, or is one better served by saving that dough and buying a Grand Highlander?
We previously explored this concept back in 2024, shortly after the Lexus TX and Grand Highlander debuted, and found that while both vehicles perform similarly, the Toyota was a tremendous value play, offering up much of the same three-row SUV goodness for a cool $9,000 less. However, it’s a question that’s worth revisiting now, roughly two years later, to see if that’s still the case. In this video from the YouTube channel Car Confections, that’s precisely the same question they’re aiming to provide an answer to as well.
For starters, shoppers in this space will have their preferences when it comes to styling, and in that regard, the Toyota Grand Highlander is a bit more conventional and boxy, while the Lexus TX 350 is sleeker and features less black cladding, along with larger wheels. Both get a bevy of safety features, can tow up to 5,000 pounds, and come equipped with 12.3-inch digital gauge clusters and large head-up displays, though the Lexus gets a larger 14-inch infotainment screen (versus 12.3 inches) and a superior Mark Levinson sound system.
As one would expect, the Lexus TX has a higher-end interior in general, with 14-way power-adjustable front seats and power thigh extensions, coupled with semi-aniline leather, though the Grand Highlander does get niceties like heated, ventilated, and memory seats that are 10-way adjustable and leather-covered. The Grand Highlander actually has more interior storage space, with more cubbies, a larger passenger storage shelf, and additional console space, plus physical controls for the HVAC system.
One key difference between these two SUVs is that the Lexus TX offers seating for seven, while the Grand Highlander can accommodate up to eight, due to a different third row setup. Otherwise, cargo space remains roughly the same, though the TX offers a power-folding third row for easier access. In terms of power, both SUVs get a turbocharged 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder engine, with the Grand Highlander pumping out 265 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the TX nets a bit more at 275 and 317, respectively. (Likely due to premium fuel.)
In the case of these two models, the price gap is once again pretty vast – the Lexus TX stickers at around $73,000, or nearly $13,000 more than the Toyota Grand Highlander at around $60,000. When our hosts compare notes in every measurable department here, they find that both make great choices in the three-row SUV space, but the Toyota gets a pretty big advantage based on the price delta alone.
Ultimately, those who prefer a more luxurious experience with more amenities and advanced features may determine that shelling out more for the TX is indeed worth it. However, those who are more price-conscious, with an eye toward resale value or perhaps even superior interior storage space and people-hauling capacity, may want to simply save some dough and go with the Grand Highlander.
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