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I am considering a TX550h+ to replace our 2023 Chrysler Pacifica PHEV this summer. Looking around it seems these models are hard to come by, what was your experience finding one, buying it and even finding one just to test drive? Were you able to find one through your local dealer or did you have to purchase out of state?
In our area, we can only find one sold to customer when it comes in. When I purchased the 2026 TX500h, the sales rep told me that the person special ordered it and it too over 1.5 years to get it. It maybe faster now in some areas. I would suggest to check lexus.com or cars.com on inventory or other sites. Btw, our dealer sold at MSRP to the new owner.
I compared the TX500h F Sport Perf Premium vs TX550. Love the TX500h with the Rear Wheel steering with a few minor issues. Not sure the Rear Wheel steering is on the TX550h.
The EV has advantage to not use fuel if around the area but you probably want to use up the stale gas in the tank every 30 days or so anyways.
I called all the dealerships within 200 miles and put my name on their waitlist. Most were 10-20 people waitlists and $500 deposits but everyone has their own preference so I got a call to purchase within 5 months. Went to dealer asap to test drive and bought it immediately. Lexus only makes 2 per day so it is very hard to find.
Last edited by sandlot9606; Jan 4, 2026 at 04:23 AM.
Has to be a plugin for my wife, and 4cyl is a dealbreaker for me.
Wow! That's quite a change from a Pacifica! The TX will NOT have the room of the Pacifica, but ANY TX will handle and drive much better (been there, done that).
I had the same thoughts about the 4-banger, BTW, then researched things a little more and went out and test drove various TX models, the GX, LX, Mazda CX90, Volvo, MDX, etc.
The TX 500h "did the trick" for me (Performance Luxury version). It's VERY quick, agile and quiet. Quicker by far than the Gen II Sequoia (5.7L V8) I traded in for it and the majority of the other cars I tried, including the GX, LX, C90, MDX, etc. (I tried a LOT).. My wife's 2023 RX350 4-banger has proven trouble free so far and we've driven it on many 600 mile trips - it's also a quick and easy driver. Her previous RX was the V6 and she likes this one better. So the 4-cylinder power plant is really a non-issue for us. And it hasn't had all of the major engine issues of the V6. It just "goes". And the TX 500h models are pretty widely available, even below sticker, at least in Los Angleles.
So maybe do a little test driving, as I did.
The only downside I've found to the TX500h so far is that the front seats are stiffer with reinforced side bolsters. Some prefer the Luxury seats - my wife does. Another thing to watch out for on ALL new Lexus models is "Learning Curve". The amount of automation and control sophistication is "Off the Charts" and not always very intuitive. You and your wife WILL need the online tutorials and may be very frustrated at first when the car tries to drive for you. We were. But we're past the "hump" now and are happy campers.
Wow! That's quite a change from a Pacifica! The TX will NOT have the room of the Pacifica, but ANY TX will handle and drive much better (been there, done that).
We're ready to go from a minivan to a 3 row crossover, don't really need the room of the van anymore. Actually the PHEV Pacifica drives and handles surprisingly well, the TX is really not that different. We had 3 Pacificas, 2 gas ones and this PHEV and the additional low weight of the battery make a big difference.
Another thing to watch out for on ALL new Lexus models is "Learning Curve". The amount of automation and control sophistication is "Off the Charts" and not always very intuitive. You and your wife WILL need the online tutorials and may be very frustrated at first when the car tries to drive for you. We were. But we're past the "hump" now and are happy campers.
Happy New Year and Happy Hunting!
We're pretty used to tech and all with the Mercedes etc, thanks same to you!
Originally Posted by websurfer
4 cylinder turbo with Hybrid power is awesome. Test drive one and you will know why it's more than enough power.
I had a V6 RX before and this one has even more power and smoother.
I've driven plenty of them (TX included), I just don't like the sound and feel of 4cyl engines. I'd much rather have the V6 personally. Turbo or hybrid boosted 6 all the better. My wife is adamant though that she wants another plug in vehicle be it a PHEV or a full EV. So the only TX that would be a contender is the 550h+
Doesn't look that way just looking around unfortunately...I only see 14 of them on dealer lots throughout the whole country on Cars.com
If you go to the Lexus web site, and "shop" for one, they'll show you not just what's on the lot but also what has been built and is in transit.
I bought a 550h+ last August, I had "ordered" it in March. So about 5-6 months to get. Now, I wasn't able to actually order it, because all the dealer could do is request one with my specs. I didn't need to put down any sort of deposit. That probably depends on dealer policy and probably to some extent on how serious they think you are. But a deposit is silly anyway. A TX 550h+ will not sit on a lot for very long. In my case, once mine showed up, the other salesmen at the dealership were already trying to get their hands on it. I made a point to finalize the sale ASAP so some SNAFU wouldn't get it sold out from under me.
I think it was late May or so when my salesperson said the car was scheduled to be built at the end of July. I went down and finalized the specs. I mostly got exactly what I wanted. Though had to take my second choice for the interior. I wanted the peppercorn (?) but got the much more common all black. Not a deal breaker.
Anyway, since you don't want one until the summer, I'd go to your dealership and see about getting them to request what you want. Also, given the low production and high demand for the ones they make, you have ZERO room to negotiate. Why would they, knowing they could probably sell it within a day to someone else. Of course, you might get some accessories thrown in. I felt lucky to only pay MSRP. I don't think my Lexus dealer every marks up anything over MSRP. But I guess they can each do what they want in that regard.
It sucks to almost be begging a dealership to sell you a car. But the TX checked all of my boxes, the main one being a big SUV with a 3rd row that adults could actually use. I really wanted a hybrid but could fit comfortably in the 500h F-Sport seats. So, I was sort of forced to the 550h+. But I really like the plug-in capability, so I'm glad it worked out that way. To bad the EV credit is gone. I got mine just in time for that. Though I had to lease it. But then I turned around and bought out the lease immediately.
FYI, this is my first PHEV and I love it. Since you're already used to that, it's something to look forward to having in another large vehicle.
We're ready to go from a minivan to a 3 row crossover, don't really need the room of the van anymore. Actually the PHEV Pacifica drives and handles surprisingly well, the TX is really not that different. We had 3 Pacificas, 2 gas ones and this PHEV and the additional low weight of the battery make a big difference.
We're pretty used to tech and all with the Mercedes etc, thanks same to you!
I've driven plenty of them (TX included), I just don't like the sound and feel of 4cyl engines. I'd much rather have the V6 personally. Turbo or hybrid boosted 6 all the better. My wife is adamant though that she wants another plug in vehicle be it a PHEV or a full EV. So the only TX that would be a contender is the 550h+
The Lexus TX550 is the V6 plug-in Hybrid and that's the one if you want the V6.
Yeah I will reach out to my Lexus guy and do that. I'd like for my wife to be able to drive one though. I have driven one, there just was one at my dealer and I drove it on a whim and I didn't realize how rare an opportunity that was haha.
Yeah PHEVs are great. You get the EV driving experience around town and the gas engine for travel so you don't have to worry about charging. I wish it had a little bit better EV range, its about the same as our Pacifica and thats not quite enough, if it had 50-60 miles like the Mercedes PHEVs that would be perfect.
Originally Posted by websurfer
The Lexus TX550 is the V6 plug-in Hybrid and that's the one if you want the V6.
In our area, we can only find one sold to customer when it comes in. When I purchased the 2026 TX500h, the sales rep told me that the person special ordered it and it too over 1.5 years to get it. It maybe faster now in some areas. I would suggest to check lexus.com or cars.com on inventory or other sites. Btw, our dealer sold at MSRP to the new owner.
I compared the TX500h F Sport Perf Premium vs TX550. Love the TX500h with the Rear Wheel steering with a few minor issues. Not sure the Rear Wheel steering is on the TX550h.
The EV has advantage to not use fuel if around the area but you probably want to use up the stale gas in the tank every 30 days or so anyways.
I had a PHEV RAV4 and it will turn the engine on at random times if you haven’t used the engine in a while. I noticed this several times while driving in EV mode. Same hybrid system in the TX 550h+
I would think Lexus will refresh the TX plug in pretty soon as they have the new GR RAV4 as it has more EV range and more hp.
I first went to my local dealer trying to order one. He told me Lexus doesn't do custom orders and that they can only make "suggestions" for options in their allocation. I was told it was going to be a 3-5 month wait and that he couldn't guarantee an exterior or interior color, let alone options.
I searched for a few months trying to find an actual 550h+ on a lot that wasn't pre-sold. I called dealerships in the entire country with the idea that I would just ship it home.
I found the only one in the country at the time and they raked me over the coals on the price.
I even tried to find a used one but there were none available for the month I was looking.
Because of this, I'm never going to buy a Lexus again, as it's my opinion that if I'm going to buy a new car, I'm going to order it exactly the way I want it. Not how some floor manager at a dealership thinks will move the quickest off his lot.
If I wanted to buy what someone else speced I'll just save some money and buy used.
The fact that they aren't building these faster than they can sell them tells me that Toyota/Lexus' 1/6/90 strategy is actually bullshit and just marketing speak. They just want to continue to mass produce normal hybrids as that's what probably makes them the most money.
The RAV4 Prime is still impossible to find and it's been out since the Summer of 2020.
Experience finding and purchasing TX550h+
