2026 Lexus TX 550h+ AWD Plug-In Hybrid Review

I have had a great time this week with the beautiful 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ AWD, the plug-in hybrid version of Lexus’ three-row family SUV. Last year’s TX 350 F Sport Handling impressed me with its style and space, but the 550h+ is a different proposition altogether. The bigger news for 2026 is not styling or tech changes, but what’s under the hood: a plug-in hybrid V6 with more power, more smoothness, and the ability to run errands on electric power alone. In the luxury three-row world, that combination is still rare, and Lexus leans into it with confidence.

Exterior

Lexus didn’t mess much with the TX’s sheet metal for 2026, and that’s fine. It remains a handsome SUV with clean lines, an upright stance, and the tapered LED lighting that has become Lexus’ trademark. The 550h+ doesn’t get the aggressive styling the F Sport does.

Instead, it takes the “quiet luxury” route with subtle hybrid badging, tasteful trim, and the same long roofline that makes this SUV look larger than it is. My test vehicle rode on 22-inch alloy wheels that match the character of the plug-in model—more refinement than flash, but the big wheels and tires look awesome on this SUV.

A panoramic glass roof is standard on the 550h+ this year, a nice touch that brightens the cabin.

Under The Hood

This is where the 550h+ separates itself. Power comes from the tried-and-true 3.5-liter V6 paired with electric motors and a lithium-ion battery, good for 404-total system horsepower. Acceleration is strong and instant thanks to the electric motors handling initial launch, and Lexus says it will hit 60 MPH in just under six seconds. That feels right from behind the wheel. The plug-in system offers up to 33 miles of pure electric driving before reverting to standard hybrid mode, not just straight gasoline, which is important. If you make short trips and can charge at home, you can do most daily driving without burning any gasoline at all. When the engine does fire up, the handoff from electric to hybrid operation is nearly invisible, and the power delivery is smooth and quiet.

The 550h+ is AWD only. The added weight of the battery pack doesn’t hurt stability; in fact, the low center of gravity makes the TX feel planted at highway speeds and more settled in corners than the gas-only 350. Fuel economy depends on how often you recharge, but once the battery is depleted, mileage in the high-20s combined is realistic.

Interior

Where the TX continues to shine is the cabin. This is true Lexus territory: quiet, beautifully trimmed, and smartly laid out.

My tester had semi-aniline leather that looks and feels upscale. Front seats are heated and ventilated, with plenty of adjustment and excellent support. The 14-inch touchscreen still dominates the dash, and the interface remains easy to navigate with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital gauge cluster is configurable, and multiple charging ports are spread throughout the cabin.

Second-row captain’s chairs are standard on the 550h+. They recline, slide, and offer excellent comfort for long trips. Third-row access is simple thanks to a wide opening and one-touch fold mechanism. Adults can ride back there without folding themselves in half, something that can’t be said for some competitors.

Cargo Area

One of the pleasant surprises with the TX lineup is the usable cargo room behind the third row. Lexus gives you just over 20 cubic feet of space, which means a grocery run or a couple of suitcases don’t require folding anything down.

Lay the third row flat and space opens up dramatically; fold the second row and you have enough room for a week of projects. The cargo floor is low and wide, making it easy to load heavier items, and the 3^rd-row seats fold quickly and easily with the push of two buttons.

Ride and Drive

The TX 550h+ is tuned for smoothness, not sportiness. If you want the firmer edge of an F Sport with adaptive dampers, that’s not available here. Instead, you get a quiet, confident cruiser. Around town the EV mode is whisper-quiet and instantly responsive. On the highway the 550h+ tracks beautifully, with little road noise and a suspension that filters bumps without feeling floaty.

Steering is accurate and light at low speeds, gaining some weight as you pick up the pace. The brakes, often a weak point in plug-in hybrids, feel natural and progressive. Overall, the TX 550h+ drives like a luxury SUV should: smooth, secure, and effortless.

Standard Features

Standard equipment on the 550h+ includes semi-aniline leather seating, heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row captain’s chairs, a panoramic glass roof, the 14-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a premium audio system, power tailgate, hands-free keyless access, and tri-zone climate control, bi-LED headlights and taillights, rear manual sunshades, a wireless phone charger, and Mark Levinson Premium Sound system.  I can’t find a single thing to add to the extensive list of standard features.

Options

My review vehicle has almost $4,700 in options.  $560 gets you a 120-volt/1,500-watt power outlet which is a built-in household-style outlet that uses the vehicle’s hybrid battery to power or charge most small appliances, tools, and electronics—up to 1,500 watts—making the TX 550h+ a convenient mobile power source for camping, tailgating, or emergencies, a really nice feature.

$895 gets you the Convenience Package adds front and rear parking sensors, a digital key, and reverse automatic braking to make maneuvering and everyday use a little easier.

$2,390 is the charge for the Technology Package which is a head-up display and a digital rearview mirror, enhancing visibility and delivering key driving information directly in your line of sight.

Other items include $150 for the carpeted cargo mat, $175 for the logo puddle lamps, $99 for wheel locks, and $420 for cross bars that attach to the roof rails and let you securely carry items like bikes, cargo boxes, kayaks, or other rooftop gear that won’t fit inside the vehicle.

Safety

Every Lexus safety feature you expect is here, including the full Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite with adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, proactive driving assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and road-sign assist. Parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, and safe-exit assist are also included.

Fuel economy & Pricing

Fuel economy is rated at 29 combined on just the hybrid system, and an MPG-e rating of 76-miles per gallon when running on all-electric power. To charge the plug-in hybrid system on a Level 2 home charger, the TX 550h+ takes right at three hours for a full charge, while plugging into a standard household 120-volt outlet takes much longer and is only practical for topping off rather than full recharging, so I do recommend a home charger.

Total MSRP with everything you can imagine is $85,639, and that’s pricey, no doubt about it. But if you don’t want to go to a plug-in hybrid, the base TX starts out at $57,000 MSRP and is still nicely equipped and very roomy.

Verdict

The 2026 Lexus TX 550h+ AWD is aimed squarely at families who want luxury, quietness, and fuel-efficiency without giving up space. It’s not the sporty sibling of the TX lineup, but it is easily the smoothest, most refined version. If you like the idea of powerful, quiet acceleration, the ability to run errands on electric power, and Lexus-grade comfort across three rows, the 550h+ may well be the sweet spot of the TX family.