Lexus is making a significant change to its three-row luxury SUV lineup, removing the most powerful and electrified version of the TX after just a few model years.
In an official announcement on October 16, 2026, the Japanese luxury automaker confirmed that the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid will not return for the 2027 model year. The decision leaves American buyers with two choices: the gasoline-powered TX 350 and the conventional hybrid TX 500h.
The discontinued model combined 404 horsepower with an estimated 33 miles of electric-only driving range, offering families a way to handle shorter journeys without using gasoline. Its departure raises questions about Lexus’s electrification strategy, particularly as the company continues developing plug-in hybrids elsewhere in its lineup. For Canadian buyers, the impact is different because the plug-in TX was already absent from the country’s official 2026 lineup.
Lexus Officially Removes the TX 550h+ From Its 2027 Lineup
Lexus confirmed the discontinuation in its October 16 announcement detailing changes to the 2027 TX. The company stated that the TX 550h+ plug-in hybrid would be discontinued for the new model year, reducing the SUV’s available powertrains from three to two in the United States. The remaining choices are the TX 350, equipped with a turbocharged gasoline engine, and the TX 500h, which combines gasoline and electric power without requiring external charging. The company presented the change alongside relatively modest updates to the vehicle’s appearance, equipment and pricing.
The announcement resolves uncertainty that began earlier in 2026. In June, the TX 550h+ disappeared from Lexus’s online vehicle configurator, prompting questions about whether production had ended permanently. Lexus initially described the situation as a production pause and suggested the model could eventually return. However, subsequent changes to the company’s website removed that assurance. The latest statement confirms the vehicle’s absence for 2027 but does not establish whether a redesigned plug-in version will return in a future model year.
The Discontinued Plug-In Hybrid Offered 404 Horsepower and Electric Driving
The TX 550h+ was the most powerful member of the previous TX lineup, combining a 3.5-litre V6 gasoline engine with an advanced plug-in hybrid system. Together, the powertrain components produced 404 horsepower, exceeding the output of both remaining models. An underfloor lithium-ion battery allowed the vehicle to travel an estimated 33 miles, or approximately 53 kilometres, using electricity alone. For families with predictable daily routines, that offered the possibility of completing school drop-offs, shopping trips and short commutes without starting the gasoline engine.
The vehicle also provided flexibility on longer journeys. Once the usable electric range was depleted, its gasoline-hybrid system could continue powering the SUV without requiring an immediate charging stop. Lexus equipped the TX 550h+ with a J1772 charging port and a standard 120-volt charging cable. Under ideal conditions, a 240-volt Level 2 connection could recharge the battery in approximately three hours. Removing this version eliminates the only TX model offering externally rechargeable electric driving, rather than simply replacing it with another similarly capable powertrain.
The Gasoline-Powered TX 350 Remains the Most Affordable Option
The TX 350 continues as the entry point into the American Lexus TX range for 2027. It uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. American customers can choose front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, depending on the trim. The engine is also used in other Lexus models, including the RX and NX, allowing the manufacturer to share established technology across several vehicles.
Although it does not offer electric driving, the TX 350 remains a practical option for families prioritizing cabin space and familiar gasoline-powered operation. The standard front-wheel-drive version starts at US$58,890, including delivery, processing and handling charges, while the least expensive all-wheel-drive configuration costs US$60,490. Buyers can also select Premium, Luxury and F SPORT Handling grades. For households that regularly take long road trips or lack convenient home charging, the straightforward gasoline powertrain may be attractive. Its principal disadvantage compared with the TX 500h is the absence of hybrid assistance to improve fuel efficiency.
The TX 500h Becomes the Only Electrified Three-Row TX
With the plug-in hybrid gone, the TX 500h becomes the sole electrified option in the American lineup. Its powertrain combines a 2.4-litre turbocharged gasoline engine with electric motors to produce 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. The system uses a six-speed automatic transmission and Lexus’s DIRECT4 all-wheel-drive technology. Unlike the discontinued TX 550h+, the conventional hybrid cannot be recharged from an external electrical outlet. Its battery receives energy through the gasoline engine and regenerative braking during normal driving.
The TX 500h also emphasizes performance. Lexus equips the F SPORT Performance grades with Dynamic Rear Steering, which can turn the rear wheels in different directions depending on driving speed to improve manoeuvrability and stability. A nickel-metal hydride battery is positioned beneath the second row, preserving passenger and storage space. The model is available in F SPORT Performance Premium and F SPORT Performance Luxury configurations. For buyers seeking stronger acceleration than the TX 350 without the additional responsibilities of plug-in charging, the 500h represents a middle ground between traditional gasoline operation and more extensive electrification.
Lexus Raises Prices Slightly While Making Modest Design Changes
The 2027 TX receives relatively small price increases despite losing its most advanced powertrain. The base TX 350 now starts at US$58,890, compared with US$58,690 for the 2026 model, an increase of US$200. The TX 500h F SPORT Performance Premium begins at US$72,410, while the F SPORT Performance Luxury costs US$75,560. Both hybrid configurations are US$400 more expensive than their corresponding 2026 versions. These published American prices include US$1,550 in delivery, processing and handling charges, but do not represent Canadian retail pricing.
Most other changes are cosmetic or involve small equipment revisions. Matador Red Mica remains available on non-F SPORT models, while the TX 350 Premium receives a darker grey finish for its 20-inch aluminum wheels. Lexus has also introduced optional red-painted brake calipers on F SPORT grades. The TX 500h now displays AWD badging instead of the previous DIRECT4 designation, although its all-wheel-drive technology remains. Minor adjustments to brake-booster tuning and the brake-hold system are also included on the TX 350. The overall vehicle design remains largely familiar.
Family Space Remains One of the TX’s Biggest Selling Points
Although the powertrain lineup has changed, the TX continues to focus on accommodating families who need three rows of seating. Depending on the configuration, the SUV can carry six or seven occupants, with either second-row captain’s chairs or a split-folding bench. Lexus designed the third row with accessibility in mind, including a mechanism that moves and folds the second-row seats to create a passage for passengers entering the back. These details matter during everyday family routines, particularly when children and adults regularly use all three rows.
Cargo capacity remains another important advantage. The TX provides 20.2 cubic feet of storage behind the third row, increasing to 57.4 cubic feet when those seats are folded. Folding both rear rows expands the available space to 97 cubic feet. This makes the vehicle suitable for carrying luggage, sports equipment or larger household purchases when passenger requirements change. The cabin also includes removable cupholders, multiple storage compartments and accessible charging connections. None of these practical features depends on the discontinued plug-in hybrid system, preserving much of the SUV’s original family-oriented appeal.
Advanced Safety and Technology Features Continue for 2027
Lexus is retaining its established technology package across the 2027 TX lineup. Every model includes a 14-inch central touchscreen, a 12.3-inch driver information display and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Seven USB ports are distributed throughout the cabin, including connections accessible to third-row occupants. Selected configurations also offer a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, a head-up display, Advanced Park assistance and smartphone-based Digital Key functionality. Some connected services require active trials or paid subscriptions after the applicable introductory periods.
Safety equipment remains a central part of the offering. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 is standard and includes technologies designed to help identify potential collisions, assist with lane positioning and support driver awareness. The Pre-Collision System can detect certain vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists under specified operating conditions. Other features include Road Sign Assist, automatic high beams and Safe Exit Assist, which can help prevent a door from opening when an approaching vehicle or cyclist is detected. These systems assist rather than replace the driver, but their continued availability means the 2027 powertrain changes do not require families to sacrifice the TX’s established safety technology.
Canadian Buyers Were Already Limited to Gas and Conventional Hybrid Models
The American announcement has an important distinction for Canadian consumers. Lexus Canada did not officially offer the TX 550h+ in its 2026 model-year lineup. Instead, the company introduced ten Canadian configurations built around the gasoline TX 350 and conventional hybrid TX 500h. All Canadian versions featured all-wheel drive, unlike the American TX 350, which could also be purchased with front-wheel drive. Consequently, the 2027 discontinuation removes an existing choice from the American market but does not represent the sudden withdrawal of a plug-in TX already being sold through Canadian dealerships.
Canadian pricing also differs considerably from the figures in the American announcement. Lexus Canada’s published 2026 lineup started at C$69,605 for the TX 350 Luxury, while the TX 500h F SPORT Performance 2 began at C$85,050, before certain additional charges. Official Canadian pricing for the 2027 TX had not been established in the verified announcements as of October 16. Lexus assembles the TX in Indiana, whereas other Lexus vehicles, including Canadian-market NX and RX models, are manufactured in Cambridge, Ontario. These differences make it important to distinguish American specifications, factory locations and pricing from Canadian-market availability.
Lexus Is Still Expanding Plug-In Hybrid Technology Elsewhere
The decision to discontinue the TX 550h+ should not be mistaken for a complete retreat from plug-in hybrid technology. Lexus is continuing to offer the RX 450h+ in its American 2027 RX lineup, alongside gasoline and conventional hybrid powertrains. The company has also introduced a substantially updated 2027 NX that will be sold exclusively with electrified powertrains. Buyers will be able to choose conventional hybrid or plug-in hybrid versions, with the revised NX 450h+ targeting more than 40 miles of electric driving range on selected grades.
The NX changes demonstrate that Lexus continues to invest in plug-in technology. The revised model features a newly developed lithium-ion battery and standard DC fast-charging capability on its plug-in grades. Lexus has also confirmed the updated NX for Canada, where selected plug-in models are expected to offer more than 64 kilometres of electric driving range. These developments complicate any suggestion that the TX cancellation reflects a broader rejection of plug-in hybrids. Rather, the company appears to be making different powertrain decisions across individual models. Lexus has not publicly established a specific commercial or engineering reason for discontinuing the TX 550h+ in its October announcement.
The Biggest Question Is Whether a Plug-In TX Will Eventually Return
The uncertain future of the TX 550h+ is especially relevant for families who want three-row seating and the ability to drive on electricity. Earlier in 2026, Lexus’s website indicated that production would pause after the model year and suggested preparations were underway for a future return. That message later changed, and the October announcement now explicitly confirms discontinuation for 2027. However, Lexus has not announced a replacement plug-in TX, a restart date or detailed plans for a future version. Any suggestion of a specific 2028 comeback would therefore remain speculative.
American buyers determined to purchase the TX 550h+ may still be able to locate remaining 2026 inventory, although availability will depend on individual dealerships and existing stock. Others will need to decide whether the conventional TX 500h provides enough efficiency and performance to meet their needs. For Canadian households, the existing gasoline and hybrid choices remain the established options while future Canadian specifications are awaited. The broader significance extends beyond one luxury SUV: Lexus is balancing battery technology, customer preferences and model-specific decisions rather than applying the same electrification formula everywhere. Whether the TX eventually regains a plug-in version remains one of the unanswered questions surrounding its future.
