Automotive News: We drive the 2025 Lexus TX350 F Sport Handling AWD

The Lexus TX350 F Sport Handling AWD is a vehicle born of a very specific, overdue realization. Lexus needed a 7 passenger SUV that satisfies the Lexus customers. With the TX, Lexus hasn’t just added a row; they’ve built a fortress of family practicality.

For 2025, they’ve finally added the F Sport Handling upgrade to the gas-only TX350 AWD, attempting to bridge the gap between sensible and fun. The F Sport Handling version is only available on the TX 350 AWD.

This grade comes standard with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), parking assist with automatic braking, panorama glass roof, power-folding third-row seats and ventilated front seats.

Outside, the vehicle sports a unique front fascia, rear valance, black roof rails, dark chrome window trim, black outside mirrors and exclusive 22-inch wheels with a matte black finish.

In the cabin, F Sport touches are featured on the heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, aluminum pedals and scuff plates, and second-row captain’s chairs. With the addition of F Sport Handling, the TX is now offered in seven grades: Standard, Premium, Luxury, F Sport Handling, F Sport Performance Premium, and F Sport Performance Luxury. Not sure who comes up with these names but that is what they have chosen.

The Design: Presence Without the Pretense

The TX is a big vehicle, spanning 203.5 inches in length, yet it doesn’t look that big from the outside. The F Sport Handling trim adds a necessary edge to the silhouette for a more sporty look. Gone is the chrome-heavy face of the base models, replaced by a bespoke front fascia, black roof rails, and dark chrome window trim.

But the real story is at the corners. The 2025 F Sport Handling sits on massive 22-inch wheels finished in matte black. They fill the arches perfectly, giving the TX a planted, athletic stance that its Toyota Grand Highlander cousin lacks. In a world of over-styled SUVs, the TX is handsome, restrained, and in a word: a Lexus.

Performance: The Turbocharged Heart

Under the hood lies a 2.4-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine. It produces 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. On paper, these numbers are respectable. In practice, they are adequate. The 8-speed automatic is smooth and well-tuned for low-end grunt. The turbo spoils early, making the TX feel lighter than its 4,707-pound curb weight suggests when pulling away from a stoplight. Where the physics of a small-displacement engine in a large body become apparent is at higher speeds. While the 0–60 mph sprint happens in a decent 7.8 seconds, high-speed overtaking requires a heavy right foot and a bit of patience as the transmission drops a few gears to find the power band and even then it is not fitting of a vehicle in this price range.

The “Handling” moniker isn’t just a badge. This trim adds Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS). In Sport mode, the dampers stiffen, noticeably reducing the body roll that plagues the standard TX. It won’t out-corner a Porsche, but it feels remarkably composed on a winding canyon road, offering a level of agility that defies its size. On the plus side, the ride is incredibly smooth even on the worst roads.

Interior: The “Adult-Sized” Revolution

The TX’s raison d’être is the third row. Lexus engineers famously obsessed over hip angles and foot positions to ensure that six-foot adults could actually sit in the back without their knees hitting their chin. Access is effortless with a single-button slide and fold mechanism on the second-row captain’s chairs that creates a wide path to the rear. Once back there, you’ll find 33.5 inches of legroom, dedicated USB-C ports and storage cubbies and power-reclining seats, a luxury touch usually reserved for much more expensive SUVs. The seats have been designed for accessibility, superior comfort, and excellent holding capability, even during the longest commutes or road trips.

Depending on grade, the second row is available in two configurations: captain’s chairs or a 60:40 split-folding bench. If a vehicle is equipped with captain’s chairs in the second row, heating and ventilation come standard. Synthetic leather seat trim is standard on Standard, Premium, F Sport Handling, and F Sport Performance Premium grades while F Sport Performance Luxury comes standard with genuine leather-trimmed seating.

Technology and Luxury

The cockpit is dominated by a 14-inch high-definition touchscreen running the latest Lexus Interface. It’s intuitive, fast, and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

The F Sport trim adds a thick-rimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel and aluminum pedals, but the real star is the optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system. It transforms the cavernous cabin into a concert hall, masking the occasional coarse note from the four-cylinder engine under heavy load.

Real-World Utility & Efficiency

A luxury family hauler is only as good as its cargo capacity. Even with the third row in place, the TX offers 20.2 cubic feet of space, enough for seven carry-on suitcases. Fold all the seats flat, and you have a cavernous 97 cubic feet of room.

Fuel Economy

The EPA rates the TX350 AWD at 20 city / 26 highway. In our real-world testing we saw numbers around there. While the fuel economy is average for the segment, I expected more from a small four cylinder engine.

The Verdict: Who is it for?

The 2025 Lexus TX350 F Sport Handling is the “Goldilocks” of the lineup. It’s significantly more prestigious and has more luxury features to appeal to the Lexus crowd. But it avoids the gimmicks of the European manufacturers, so it should be a long lasting and reliable vehicle for decades to come.

This is a vehicle that starts out at $64,000 and our test car had a $69,000 price tag. That is not cheap, and there are a lot of other choices out there. But you are paying for the durability and resale value that Lexus brings to the table, and that is an important consideration.

It is a vehicle for the driver who needs the space of a minivan but refuses to drive one; someone who values a quiet, composed cabin and the peace of mind that comes with Lexus reliability, but still wants a vehicle that looks aggressive in the valet circle. Lexus is usually very conservative, but I wish that they had created more of a hot rod with more power under the hood. A bit of added spice would really take this car to the next level but their studies and focus groups have probably dictated that it was not needed. It is a good and solid car overall, but a bit more power would make it a lot better.

2025 Lexus TX350 F Sport Handling AWD Specifications

These specs are compiled from official Lexus announcements and reliable automotive sources. Actual values may vary slightly based on options and testing conditions. For the most up-to-date details, refer to the official Lexus website or dealer.