Lexus is one of the best-known automakers, thanks to its upscale cars that pack plenty of value for the money. Soon, Toyota’s luxury brand will add another SUV to the lineup: the three-row TX. Not much is known about the new 2024 Lexus TX beyond a recent teaser photo revealing the vehicle’s “floating” roof. But it’s not as exciting as it seems.

Everything we know about the 2024 Lexus TX so far

We won’t know much about the upcoming luxury SUV until its official reveal on June 8. However, Lexus has released a few teaser photos, and some basic facts are apparent about the TX. For example, it’s built on the relatively new TNGA-K platform.

Toyota, which owns Lexus, developed the platform. TNGA-K has been the basis for many of the Japanese auto giant’s most recent vehicles. For example, the latest-generation RAV4 compact SUV, Highlander midsize SUV, and Sienna minivan sit on that platform.

One of the latest models to use that platform is the Toyota Grand Highlander. This extended version of the Highlander will debut this summer, Toyota says. And the Lexus TX will be the Grand Highlander’s luxury equivalent.

Not much else is known about the TX other than it will have third-row seating and a floating roof design.

Here’s how the Lexus TX’s floating roof design works 

Unsurprisingly, the TX’s floating roof is not literal. Rather, it’s a design feature intended to make the roof look like it’s floating, at least from a distance. This optical illusion is simple to achieve.

The parts that form the basis of the illusion are the pillars. Most SUVs have four pillars on each side — A, B, C, and D — from the front of the vehicle to the back. Each connects the roof to the body. The rear-most roof support is the D pillar, typically painted the same color as the rest of the body. However, the floating roof design uses a different color for the D pillar. Instead of matching the body paint, the pillar matches the color of the windows. 

In the teaser images Lexus released, the TX appears to have a light silver paint job, and the rear windows are tinted black. The D pillar is also black. From a distance, that makes the roof look like it’s floating.

The Lexus TX’s floating roof looks cool, but it’s not a new design element

Like other car design details, floating roofs come and go. Several vehicles had the feature in the 2015 to 2018 model years. For instance, the Nissan Maxima sedan, Honda Odyssey minivan, and Ford Flex SUV employed this element. Lexus also used it on the RX midsize SUV and LC 500 sports coupe.

Though it’s an uncommon design choice, the floating roof appears to be trending again. Some automakers have gone all-in on the idea and applied it to the front and rear pillars. That’s what the 2023 Mini Cooper Hardtop does. The 2023 Range Rover does too.